John Sumner, born on 14 October 1951 in Blackpool, England, moved with his family to New Zealand at the age of nine. He began his career in the entertainment industry at 19, performing live on Auckland’s nightclub circuit. His talent quickly earned him a following, and within months, he appeared on local variety television shows. Over the next few years, Sumner became a versatile performer, gaining both popular and critical acclaim. Notable early roles included playing “Charlie Brown” in You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown and the character “Emory” in The Boys in the Band, showcasing his range from light-hearted to dramatic roles.
In 1976, John Sumner shifted his focus to the business side of the entertainment industry by joining RCA Records in Auckland. His work in sales quickly led to a transfer to the regional headquarters in Sydney, Australia, where he climbed the corporate ladder in A&R (Artists and Repertoire) and marketing.
After returning to New Zealand following the birth of his daughter, Sumner became a pioneer in the home video industry, heading up marketing for a local distributor. His success in the corporate world led him to start his own business in 1985. However, the urge to return to performing never faded, and by 1992, Sumner was back in front of the camera. He began appearing in high-profile local commercials, which quickly reignited his acting career.
Sumner’s acting took off in 1992 when he appeared in the film The Rainbow Warrior. He went on to feature in several notable films, including Every Woman’s Dream, The Tommyknockers, The Frighteners, and Whale Rider. His diverse acting career continued with appearances in films such as Maiden Voyage, Perfect Creature, Atomic Twister, The Other Side of Heaven, and numerous Power Rangers series, including Power Rangers RPM, Power Rangers Dino Charge, and Power Rangers Beast Morphers.
The arrival of the international film and television industry in New Zealand opened up new opportunities for Sumner, and he played the role of Herb in Peter Jackson‘s 2005 blockbuster King Kong. Sumner has enjoyed a long and successful career, both in front of and behind the camera.
He has been married for 44 years, has a daughter, two step-sons, and currently resides in Auckland, New Zealand, continuing to contribute to the film and television industry.
Image of Jack Black and John Sumner from Peter Jackson’s King Kong in 2005.
