11 Pacific Islander Actors Who Deserve Much More Recognition

We all know professional wrestler and Hollywood actor The Rock through famous roles such as Agent Luke Hobbs in Fast and Furious, Dr. Xander Bravestone in Jumanji, Agent John Hartley in Red Notice, or most recently the role of Black Adam in the DC Universe movie of the same name. Another colleague of The Rock, Jason Momoa, is also very popular with the audience for his role as King Alastis in Aquaman.
There is one thing these two excellent actors have in common: they are both Pacific Islanders, and thanks to their abilities and efforts, they are becoming more and more known and loved by more and more people, becoming A-list stars with over 5 million Instagram followers.
But not all Pacific Islander actors are lucky enough to be so successful and well-known. In this post, we've curated a list of 11 Pacific Islander actors who deserve more recognition for their efforts in this cinematic art industry. Scroll down to check them out.

#1 Alex Aiono (Māori, Samoan and Caucasian actor)

Source: Cameron Postforoosh

Right at the first phase of his acting career, Aiono had a great following for his YouTube videos. With a previous appearance on the big screen in Finding Ohana and the popularity of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, this is a name to keep an eye on.

#2 Ethan Browne (Māori actor)

Source: Stuff

While there have always been Pacific Islander stars in the cast of "Home and Away," there has never been an entire family of Pacific Islander descent. Tane Parata, Ethan's character, was one of the show's Parata family members from New Zealand. A very moving moment, and one of my personal favorites, was when the Parata men performed a stunning Haka in memory of a family member who died overseas.

#3 Stacey Leilua (Samoan actor and producer)

Source: Thecoconet

Leilua steals the show in every scene she appears in on Young Rock. Her acting conveys the love of a mother, and her clap backs are consistently spot-on.

#4 Alex Tarrant (Māori, Samoan and Niuean actor)

Source: Biographyresearch

Tarrant is most known for his work in NCIS: Hawai'i and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. While these two roles are diametrically opposed in every way, Alex's acting skills, bravery, and compassion show through in both series.

#5 Angelina Thomson (Cook Islander/Australian actor and singer)

Source: Supplied

Thomson, who grew up in Yugambeh/the Gold Coast, has shifted from one legendary beach to another since she's presently starring in Home and Away and firmly planted on the drama-filled sands of Summer Bay.
Being on Home and Away is big, especially because the program has notoriously served as a launching pad for performers like Chris Hemsworth, Samara Weaving, and Heath Ledger, who have gone on to achieve major worldwide success.
Her singing talent is also proved when she played the role of Kirby - a graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University.

#6 Kelemete Misipeka (Samoan actor)

Source: Getty Images

Acting includes many types, and voice performers sometimes get underrated. You may not know Kelemete Misipeka, but his voice actually rings your bell. In fact, he voices the Easter Island head in the animated series Night at the Museum: Kahmunrah Rises Again

#7 Rose Matafeo (Samoan actor)

Source: Sunday Magazine

If you're starting to see a theme here, it's because everyone on this list has major comic talents. Matafeo is one of the funniest actresses I've ever seen, and her hair makes me want to live.

#8 Lawrence Ola (Samoan actor)

Source: IMDb

Ola initially appeared in a television advertisement for underwear, and he quickly persuaded me that a special mattress that could endure being rolled over by a truck was a necessity, not a desire. Ola soon appeared in After the Verdict on Nine Network and, more recently, Upright on Binge. You heard it here first: Ola will slaughter his way to a starring role in a comedy series this year because he deserves it.

#9 Uli Latukefu (Tongan actor)

Source: Getty Images

The role of Dwayne Johnson's young version in The Rock seems to be the most successful role of Uli. If you haven't seen it yet, give it a spin because Uli has the ring charisma of the actual Dwayne Johnson.

#10 Ana Tuisil (Samoan actor)

Source: Slamwrestling

Tuisil played The Rock's grandma in Young Rock. She gripped huge attention not just because she is a Pacific Islander on a major TV program (that is popular all over the world), but also because she is a female actress over 50 on a great sitcom.

#11 Rachel House (Māori and European actor)

Source: Getty Images

House is a comedy icon. Her scene-stealing performance as the principal of Heartbreak High inspired me to return to high school. The penis moment is hilarious, but House is hilarious throughout the whole.