Karen O'Leary
Actor | Host | MC | PresenterA natural performer, Karen made her acting debut in Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s cult-classic feature What We Do in the Shadows. Her head-turning performance as Officer O’Leary led to comedy spin-off series Wellington Paranormal, a show that is broadcast around the world in 70 countries, including on HBO Max in the US.
She has enjoyed roles in features Millie Lies Low and SXSW darlings The Breaker Upperers and Nude Tuesday, as well as television’s Educators and two seasons of comedy The Eggplant.
Karen developed exceptional communication skills in her two decades as an early childhood educator, and uses those skills to great effect as both a presenter and an MC. She is a charismatic, hilarious, and charming presence whose services are highly sought after.
She has enjoyed roles in features Millie Lies Low and SXSW darlings The Breaker Upperers and Nude Tuesday, as well as television’s Educators and two seasons of comedy The Eggplant.
Karen developed exceptional communication skills in her two decades as an early childhood educator, and uses those skills to great effect as both a presenter and an MC. She is a charismatic, hilarious, and charming presence whose services are highly sought after.
Full Biography
Credits
Actor
Feature Film
2022 - Nude Tuesday - Chen - Director - Armagan Ballantyne - Producer - Emma Slade
2021 - Going Going - Registrar - Director - Loren Taylor - Producers - Philippa Campbell & Georgina Conder
2021 - Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle - Guest Judge - Directors - Jason Ellis and Eli Hill - The Tin Whistle Collective
2021 - Dox - Patricia - Director - Georgina Conder - Miss Piki’s Band Ltd
2020 - Millie Lies Low - Guard - Director - Michelle Savill - Producer - Desray Armstrong
2014 - What We Do in The Shadows - Officer O'Leary - Directors - Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement - Unison Films
Television
2023 - Paddy Gower Has Issues - Community Reporter - Producer - Discovery NZ
2023 - 7 Days - Panelist - Producer -Discovery NZ
2022 - Guy Mont's Spelling Bee - Contestant - Producers - Kevin & Co - TV3
2018 - 2022 - Wellington Paranormal: Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4- Officer O'Leary - Directors - Jemaine Clement, Jackie Van Beek, Tim Van Dammen Producer - Paul Yates, New Zealand Documentary Board Ltd
2022 - The Poo Files - Director - Alex Dron - Rude Girl Productions
2018 - Educators - Police Officer - Director - Jesse Griffin - South Pacific Pictures
2016 - Pot Luck: Season 1 & 2 - Donna - Director - Ness Simons - Producer - Robin Murphy
Web-series
2021 - The Eggplant: The Special Report - Principal Kathleen Morris - Director - Sam Stichbury - Producer - Joseph McAlpine, Motion Sickness
2020 - The Eggplant - Principal Kathleen Morris - Director - Sam Stichbury - Producer - Joseph McAlpine, Motion Sickness
2020 - On the Rag - Herself - Producer - Gayle Horan
2018 - The Watercooler - Karen - Director - James Ashcroft - Producers - Desray Armstrong and Mike Minogue
MC
2023 - The Post Launch
2022 - NZSO Spooky Symphony
2022 - Orchestra Morchestra - Orchestra Wellington with Fun and Funner
2022 - SBN Conference
2022 - Eat Drink Play Gala Dinner
2021 - NZTE Walking Tour
2021 - Blue & Gold Awards, Lincoln University
2021 - Govtech Demo Day, Creative HQ
2021 - NZ Institute of Patent Attorneys Conference
2021 - Real Steel Christmas Party
2020 - Kapiti International Women’s Day Lunch
Podcast
2022 - Full Disclosure With Karen O’Leary - Media Works NZ
Presenter
2020 - Karen's House - Presenter - Play for Learning - Director: Nancy Bell - Ministry of Education
Ambassador
2023 - Are you ready to Wellington? Women's Football World Cup - WellingtonNZ
2023 - FIFA Women's World Cup - Unity Launch - WellingtonNZ
2022 - FIFA Women's World Cup - Volunteer Launch - WellingtonNZ
Feature Film
2022 - Nude Tuesday - Chen - Director - Armagan Ballantyne - Producer - Emma Slade
2021 - Going Going - Registrar - Director - Loren Taylor - Producers - Philippa Campbell & Georgina Conder
2021 - Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle - Guest Judge - Directors - Jason Ellis and Eli Hill - The Tin Whistle Collective
2021 - Dox - Patricia - Director - Georgina Conder - Miss Piki’s Band Ltd
2020 - Millie Lies Low - Guard - Director - Michelle Savill - Producer - Desray Armstrong
2014 - What We Do in The Shadows - Officer O'Leary - Directors - Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement - Unison Films
Television
2023 - Paddy Gower Has Issues - Community Reporter - Producer - Discovery NZ
2023 - 7 Days - Panelist - Producer -Discovery NZ
2022 - Guy Mont's Spelling Bee - Contestant - Producers - Kevin & Co - TV3
2018 - 2022 - Wellington Paranormal: Seasons 1, 2, 3, 4- Officer O'Leary - Directors - Jemaine Clement, Jackie Van Beek, Tim Van Dammen Producer - Paul Yates, New Zealand Documentary Board Ltd
2022 - The Poo Files - Director - Alex Dron - Rude Girl Productions
2018 - Educators - Police Officer - Director - Jesse Griffin - South Pacific Pictures
2016 - Pot Luck: Season 1 & 2 - Donna - Director - Ness Simons - Producer - Robin Murphy
Web-series
2021 - The Eggplant: The Special Report - Principal Kathleen Morris - Director - Sam Stichbury - Producer - Joseph McAlpine, Motion Sickness
2020 - The Eggplant - Principal Kathleen Morris - Director - Sam Stichbury - Producer - Joseph McAlpine, Motion Sickness
2020 - On the Rag - Herself - Producer - Gayle Horan
2018 - The Watercooler - Karen - Director - James Ashcroft - Producers - Desray Armstrong and Mike Minogue
MC
2023 - The Post Launch
2022 - NZSO Spooky Symphony
2022 - Orchestra Morchestra - Orchestra Wellington with Fun and Funner
2022 - SBN Conference
2022 - Eat Drink Play Gala Dinner
2021 - NZTE Walking Tour
2021 - Blue & Gold Awards, Lincoln University
2021 - Govtech Demo Day, Creative HQ
2021 - NZ Institute of Patent Attorneys Conference
2021 - Real Steel Christmas Party
2020 - Kapiti International Women’s Day Lunch
Podcast
2022 - Full Disclosure With Karen O’Leary - Media Works NZ
Presenter
2020 - Karen's House - Presenter - Play for Learning - Director: Nancy Bell - Ministry of Education
Ambassador
2023 - Are you ready to Wellington? Women's Football World Cup - WellingtonNZ
2023 - FIFA Women's World Cup - Unity Launch - WellingtonNZ
2022 - FIFA Women's World Cup - Volunteer Launch - WellingtonNZ
Training
2018 - Jacque Drew American Accent Intensive
Awards
2019 - Nomination NZTV Awards for Best Actress for Wellington Paranormal
Skills
MC
Comedy
Presenter
Comic & Improvisation
Teacher
Cricket
Comedy
Presenter
Comic & Improvisation
Teacher
Cricket