Martin Henderson
Birthday:
8 October 1974, Auckland, New Zealand
Height:
178 cm
Martin Henderson was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He began acting when he was age 13, appearing in Strangers, a local television production. He attended Westlake Boys High School and Birkenhead Primary. He first became a star in his home country, when he starred in the series, Shortland Street, playing the character Stuart Neilson from 1992 to 19...
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Martin Henderson was born in Auckland, New Zealand. He began acting when he was age 13, appearing in Strangers, a local television production. He attended Westlake Boys High School and Birkenhead Primary. He first became a star in his home country, when he starred in the series, Shortland Street, playing the character Stuart Neilson from 1992 to 1995, in the early to mid 90s. He then moved to Australia to star in the shortlived soapie, Echo Point, and Sweat, which also starred a very young Heath Ledger. The pair became friends, and Martin convinced Heath to move to Sydney and make a go of his career, and the two lived together. Martin also worked on Home and Away, and Big Sky, as well as getting an AFI Award nomination for his supporting role in the Aussie film Kick. Martin left Australia to study acting and theatre in New York, where he also looked up Heath in LA.Henderson spent more than a year unsuccessfully auditioning for film roles in Los Angeles, but in 2001, he was finally cast, in a supporting role in the John Woo-directed war film, Windtalkers. In 2002, he starred opposite actress Naomi Watts in the horror film, The Ring. In 2005, he starred opposite Indian actress Aishwarya Rai in the romantic film Bride & Prejudice, and in the award-winning Little Fish starring Cate Blanchett. In 2010, it was announced Henderson had been cast in the creator of Grey's Anatomy new television series Off the Map wherein doctors travel to the end of the world to rediscover why they had initially wanted to become doctors. Show less «
There's something incredibly primal about facing something treacherous but doing it anyway.
There's something incredibly primal about facing something treacherous but doing it anyway.
During the shoot, when you're not at work, you're learning lines for the next shoot, and that can be all-consuming.
During the shoot, when you're not at work, you're learning lines for the next shoot, and that can be all-consuming.
I always thought I'd go to university and then get a real job, you know. Now I want to do stuff that really makes me happy. Although I'm sti...Show more »
I always thought I'd go to university and then get a real job, you know. Now I want to do stuff that really makes me happy. Although I'm still trying to work out what that is. But for me there are always constants. Show less «
I think the buzz of acting is playing people different to you, and for me, that means traversing all genres.
I think the buzz of acting is playing people different to you, and for me, that means traversing all genres.
I like dramatic stuff, and I have a goofball side, too. I like to do comedy and off-beat things as much as something really, really serious.
I like dramatic stuff, and I have a goofball side, too. I like to do comedy and off-beat things as much as something really, really serious.
I think it's part of my personality - I love to travel; I love different cultures and philosophies and perspectives on things.
I think it's part of my personality - I love to travel; I love different cultures and philosophies and perspectives on things.
Heath, I believed in him when I first met him, and helped and supported him. He went on to obvious success in the States and then I had him ...Show more »
Heath, I believed in him when I first met him, and helped and supported him. He went on to obvious success in the States and then I had him support me. It can be a lonely, horrible, hard place. It's great just to have someone to call to say 'I know, man, I was there' Show less «
It's a tough accent. It's difficult for actors who are not Kiwis.
It's a tough accent. It's difficult for actors who are not Kiwis.
It's a great challenge to come from little New Zealand and beat the odds in Hollywood.
It's a great challenge to come from little New Zealand and beat the odds in Hollywood.
I'm never entirely happy. That's just part of my personality, and I just have to accept that.
I'm never entirely happy. That's just part of my personality, and I just have to accept that.
I just want to keep challenging myself. Keep moving the goalposts and raising my game.
I just want to keep challenging myself. Keep moving the goalposts and raising my game.
I'm quite proud of growing up in New Zealand where, from quite early on in primary school, you're learning to count in Maori, Maori mytholog...Show more »
I'm quite proud of growing up in New Zealand where, from quite early on in primary school, you're learning to count in Maori, Maori mythology and dances and colours and history, and I think that gives a child a really good grounding. Show less «
I always intended to move back to New York when I was first there.
I always intended to move back to New York when I was first there.
Alex O'Loughlin is an old friend. Actually, when he first came to L.A., he stayed at my house.
Alex O'Loughlin is an old friend. Actually, when he first came to L.A., he stayed at my house.
I'm not in a real rush to be a big star.
I'm not in a real rush to be a big star.
I feel for anybody who has that level of celebrity where you can't lead a normal life.
I feel for anybody who has that level of celebrity where you can't lead a normal life.
It is a little weird now, going over to Heath's place. It's like, 'Hi Heath, hi Nomes.' Very strange!
It is a little weird now, going over to Heath's place. It's like, 'Hi Heath, hi Nomes.' Very strange!
I try not to invest time in what other people think of me.
I try not to invest time in what other people think of me.
Definitely, I'd love to do more in New Zealand if it was the right time.
Definitely, I'd love to do more in New Zealand if it was the right time.
I love new places, new people, new ideas. I love cultural differences, and I'm fascinated by the truth - all the different versions of it.
I love new places, new people, new ideas. I love cultural differences, and I'm fascinated by the truth - all the different versions of it.
I hate talking about myself, I find it such a boring topic. I'd much rather talk about other things.
I hate talking about myself, I find it such a boring topic. I'd much rather talk about other things.
I think I'm fortunate as an actor in that I do seem to get opportunities to play roles that aren't necessarily typical of what I've done bef...Show more »
I think I'm fortunate as an actor in that I do seem to get opportunities to play roles that aren't necessarily typical of what I've done before. Show less «
I walked two hours to an audition once and was so sweaty that someone said, 'Oh, you guys from New Zealand don't shower.'
I walked two hours to an audition once and was so sweaty that someone said, 'Oh, you guys from New Zealand don't shower.'
I don't even know who my character is in 'Grey's.'
I don't even know who my character is in 'Grey's.'
Most horror films fail to scare me. I think 'The Ring' plays more as a psychological thriller. It's smarter, there's more character developm...Show more »
Most horror films fail to scare me. I think 'The Ring' plays more as a psychological thriller. It's smarter, there's more character development and some of the themes explored go a little deeper. Show less «
I've got to say, I like being the everyman.
I've got to say, I like being the everyman.
I think mine's such a mish-mash now: I get criticised for sounding like a Yank when I come home, and everybody thinks I'm Australian when I'...Show more »
I think mine's such a mish-mash now: I get criticised for sounding like a Yank when I come home, and everybody thinks I'm Australian when I'm in America. Show less «
Most people start eating healthy after the doctor says they have a problem. That's just human nature.
Most people start eating healthy after the doctor says they have a problem. That's just human nature.
Sometimes America gets tempted by the glitz and glamour.
Sometimes America gets tempted by the glitz and glamour.
When I'm not acting, I'm usually sailing or camping or exploring or travelling or spending time in New Zealand.
When I'm not acting, I'm usually sailing or camping or exploring or travelling or spending time in New Zealand.
It's good to see some Kiwi accents up on the big screen.
It's good to see some Kiwi accents up on the big screen.
We spent a few days up Ben Nevis, which is the biggest mountain in the U.K., and there was one day when we had to make a decision whether we...Show more »
We spent a few days up Ben Nevis, which is the biggest mountain in the U.K., and there was one day when we had to make a decision whether we were going to go to the summit or not. It was already getting dark, but we made the call to go and made the summit, but as soon as we got there, this blizzard just hit. Show less «
My mom sent me money for a car, but the cops impounded it because I had no insurance.
My mom sent me money for a car, but the cops impounded it because I had no insurance.
It's actually reassuring to see people struggling to do our accent instead of us constantly trying to emulate British or American accents, w...Show more »
It's actually reassuring to see people struggling to do our accent instead of us constantly trying to emulate British or American accents, which we are always asked to do. Show less «
'Little Fish' has reminded me why I fell in love with acting in the first place.
'Little Fish' has reminded me why I fell in love with acting in the first place.
I personally really sympathise with the Maori cause - what's gone on historically and their struggle today as a culture, and how they hold o...Show more »
I personally really sympathise with the Maori cause - what's gone on historically and their struggle today as a culture, and how they hold on to that identity and stand up for what's rightfully theirs. Show less «
What's exciting about Sundance is that they're making a name for themselves in this boutique television niche world, and there's energy behi...Show more »
What's exciting about Sundance is that they're making a name for themselves in this boutique television niche world, and there's energy behind that. Show less «
It's very rare you get a director who's that invested in the actors. So yeah, when 'Little Fish' came around, there wasn't much negotiation!
It's very rare you get a director who's that invested in the actors. So yeah, when 'Little Fish' came around, there wasn't much negotiation!
My mother was a product of World War II. My grandfather was on leave in Edinburgh when he met my grandmother.
My mother was a product of World War II. My grandfather was on leave in Edinburgh when he met my grandmother.
It's harder in the States. I'm much more inclined to get offered things that are a lot straighter and heavier and dramatic. And they go by l...Show more »
It's harder in the States. I'm much more inclined to get offered things that are a lot straighter and heavier and dramatic. And they go by looks, too. If you look like a leading man, then that's what they will consider you for. Show less «
When I arrived in L.A., I assumed I'd be able to put on the American accent. It proved difficult, so I had six months working with a dialect...Show more »
When I arrived in L.A., I assumed I'd be able to put on the American accent. It proved difficult, so I had six months working with a dialect coach, and it's become a habit. Show less «
The accent got lost somewhere along the way. I'm a little embarrassed about it. When I arrived in LA I assumed I'd be able to put on the Ame...Show more »
The accent got lost somewhere along the way. I'm a little embarrassed about it. When I arrived in LA I assumed I'd be able to put on the American accent. It proved difficult so I had six months working with a dialect coach and it's become a habit. Show less «
When you're doing a one-man play, you maybe rehearse for a month, and then you're just doing it an hour or two a night.
When you're doing a one-man play, you maybe rehearse for a month, and then you're just doing it an hour or two a night.
Sometimes you just dread reading scripts; it's like the chef who doesn't want to cook at home.
Sometimes you just dread reading scripts; it's like the chef who doesn't want to cook at home.
I went to New York for a while before I moved to L.A., and I was very clear that I didn't want to do TV. For a decade, basically, I didn't e...Show more »
I went to New York for a while before I moved to L.A., and I was very clear that I didn't want to do TV. For a decade, basically, I didn't even entertain the idea. Show less «
Where typically the cops are generally the good guys, 'The Red Road' blurs the lines intelligently and shows corruption from all sides of th...Show more »
Where typically the cops are generally the good guys, 'The Red Road' blurs the lines intelligently and shows corruption from all sides of the law. It provides unpredictable drama where the audience is kept guessing about how these characters will each choose to act. Show less «
The writer of 'The Red Road,' Aaron Guzikowski, deserves the credit. The fact that the dialogue is so understated is what makes this show so...Show more »
The writer of 'The Red Road,' Aaron Guzikowski, deserves the credit. The fact that the dialogue is so understated is what makes this show so appealing, especially as an actor. Show less «
There is nothing I feel that connected or passionate about that would take me away from acting.
There is nothing I feel that connected or passionate about that would take me away from acting.
I've become a lot more relaxed about my career, but maybe that's a part of growing up. I realise there are things I hold dear and value, asi...Show more »
I've become a lot more relaxed about my career, but maybe that's a part of growing up. I realise there are things I hold dear and value, aside from professional achievements. Show less «
Most horror films fail to scare me.
Most horror films fail to scare me.
My dad was my hero when I was a young boy. And then it's a toss-up between Han Solo, the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team, and Marlon Brand...Show more »
My dad was my hero when I was a young boy. And then it's a toss-up between Han Solo, the New Zealand All Blacks Rugby team, and Marlon Brando. Show less «
As soon as I got off the plane in L.A., I heard they'd cast the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and that it was all being shot in New Zealand! T...Show more »
As soon as I got off the plane in L.A., I heard they'd cast the 'Lord of the Rings' trilogy and that it was all being shot in New Zealand! That was pretty ironic. Show less «
With a thriller, you're going to have your red herrings, as different suspects are thrown up as possible culprits. You can only explore that...Show more »
With a thriller, you're going to have your red herrings, as different suspects are thrown up as possible culprits. You can only explore that for so long - if you do that more than a few times, it starts to get a little redundant. Show less «
You've got to not care about what people think. You learn that as an actor. If you get a bad review, will you be destroyed by it? Or will yo...Show more »
You've got to not care about what people think. You learn that as an actor. If you get a bad review, will you be destroyed by it? Or will you think you're God's gift when you get a rave review? Show less «
You are always invested in a film, but there is always a different feeling you get when you are portraying a character that is based on real...Show more »
You are always invested in a film, but there is always a different feeling you get when you are portraying a character that is based on real life and you are re-telling events that actually took place. Show less «
You are constantly looking for ways to do something you haven't done before, whether it's a particular role or doing theatre. As a person, I...Show more »
You are constantly looking for ways to do something you haven't done before, whether it's a particular role or doing theatre. As a person, I'm really open to experience. Show less «
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