Karl Urban

New Zealand actor

Karl Urban biography

Karl Urban is a New Zealand actor, born on 7 June 1972 in Wellington.

Karl Urban's screen career began in 1990 with Shark in the Park, playing Rohann Murdoch.

Karl Urban has appeared in 41 films and 15 television or streaming titles.

The most recent films are Mortal Kombat II (2026), The Bluff (2026), I, Object (2026).

Karl Urban is best known for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Chronicles of Riddick, Star Trek, Dredd.

Honours include Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.

Born: 7 June 1972 (age 54)
Birthplace: Wellington
Work: Actor, Stage actor, Film actor, Television actor
Film industries: Hollywood and beyond
Years active: 1990 to present
Known for: The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Chronicles of Riddick, Star Trek, Dredd, The Boys
Awards: Actor Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

41 films and 15 television or streaming titles, newest first.

Year	Title	Role	Where	Notes
2026	Mortal Kombat II	Johnny Cage
2026	The Bluff	Capt. Francisco Connor
2026	I, Object	Frank		Also producer
2024	Ark: Survival Ascended	Bob		Bob's Tall Tales downloadable content
2023	"Let's get to Work"			Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon live-action trailer
2022	The Sea Beast	Jacob Holland		Voice role
2020	Butcher: A Short Film	William "Billy" Butcher		Short film
2019	Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker	Stormtrooper		Cameo
2018	Bent	Danny Gallagher
2017	Thor: Ragnarok	Skurge the Executioner
2017	Hangman	Detective Will Ruiney
2017	Acts of Vengeance	Officer Hank Strode
2016	Pete's Dragon	Gavin Magary
2016	Star Trek Beyond	Leonard McCoy
2016	For the Love of Spock		English
2014	Lennon or McCartney		English
2014	The Loft	Vincent Stevens
2013	Walking with Dinosaurs	Zack
2013	Riddick	Siberius Vaako		Cameo
2013	Star Trek Into Darkness	Leonard McCoy
2013	Star Trek	Leonard McCoy		Also likeness
2012	Dredd	Judge Dredd
2011	Priest	Black Hat
2010	Red	William Cooper
2010	And Soon the Darkness	Michael

Show all 41 films

Year	Title	Role	Where
2009	Star Trek	Leonard McCoy
2009	Reclaiming the Blade		English
2009	Black Water Transit	Earl Pike
2007	Pathfinder	Ghost
2006	Out of the Blue	Nick Harvey
2005	Doom	John "Reaper" Grimm
2004	The Bourne Supremacy	Kirill
2004	The Chronicles of Riddick	Siberius Vaako
2003	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	Éomer
2002	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	Éomer
2002	Ghost Ship	Daryl Munder
2000	The Price of Milk	Rob
2000	The Irrefutable Truth about Demons	Harry Ballard
1998	Via Satellite	Paul
1998	Heaven	Sweeper
1992	Chunuk Bair	Wellington Soldier

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2024	Ark: The Animated Series	Bob	Voice role
2023	Gen V	William "Billy" Butcher	Episode: "Guardians of Godolkin"
2019	The Boys	William "Billy" Butcher
2014	Short Poppies	Alex Turnbull	Episode: "Mary Ledbetter"
2013	Almost Human	John Kennex	13 episodes
2008	Comanche Moon	Woodrow F. Call	Miniseries
2000	The Privateers	Captain Aran Dravyk	Television film
1997	Amazon High	Kor	Television film
1996	Xena: Warrior Princess	Mael	Episode: "Altared States" (season 1)
1996	Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	Cupid; Julius Caesar	Episode: "The Green-Eyed Monster"; "Render Unto Caesar"
1995	Riding High	James Westwood	Unknown episodes
1993	White Fang	David	Episode: "Tough Kid"
1993	Shortland Street	Paramedic Jamie Forrest	Recurring
1992	Homeward Bound	Tim Johnstone	Unknown episodes
1990	Shark in the Park	Rohann Murdoch	6 episodes