Jay Laga’aia grew up in South Auckland and Ponsonby, to Samoan parents. His family were musically-inclined.  As a teenager he toured in bands, then got an early job as a council worker, teaching street kids to play musical instruments.

One of Australia’s favourite entertainers and actors Jay Laga’aia has an array of film, television and theatre credits to his name.  He is a trail blazer being the first Polynesian cast in an Australian TV production, Water Rats in the mid 90’s and the first Polynesian to take up roles as Mufasa in Disney’s blockbuster musical The Lion King and also the Wizard in Wicked.

Jay’s film credits include Nims Island, Daybreakers, Vincent Ward’s , The Navigator and Star Wars; his television credits include; Home and Away, Bed of Roses, Jay’s Jungle, Street Legal, Water Rats, McLeod’s Daughters, Legend Of The Seekers, Xena: Warrior Princess and Playschool.  These are but only a few of what has been an illustrious career spanning three decades.