Brian Sergent (born 29 December 1959) is a comedian, writer and actor born and based in Wellington, New Zealand.
Background Sergent's acting career began at age 15 playing Lionel in the soap opera, Close to Home.
In television Sergent is known for playing Eric Grady on Outrageous Fortune, the New Zealand Prime Minister on Flight of the Conchords, and Harold in The Lost Children. One of his most popular characters, cabin steward Gavin Soper, appeared on the Pulp Comedy television series.
Sergent has a strong association with Circa Theatre in Wellington. He performed in The Duchess of Malfi (1982), Travels with My Aunt (1997) Closer and Take a Chance on Me (2001).
Sergent's film credits include Peter Jackson's Meet the Feebles, Braindead and Lord of the Rings, Absent Without Leave, Via Satellite, the lead role as Marty in The Shirt and Jonah in Eagle vs. Shark. Also, Slow West, with Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelson and Kodi Scot-MCfee.
Sergent participates in reading of short stories, novels and radio plays on Radio New Zealand where he is still actively involved.
Sergent has won multiple Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards for acting and writing. In 1992 he won Male Actor of the Year for his performances as Lenny in The Homecoming at the Circa Theatre and Alfredo Traps in A Dangerous Game at the BATS Theatre. In 1994, he won Best Male Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance of Gary Peter Lefkowitz in I Hate Hamlet at the Circa. In 2004, Prior to the opening of his first play, the New Zealand Listener described Sergent as ''New Zealand's greatest comic actor'' He won the award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year for his play The Love of Humankind. In 2008 Radio New Zealand broadcast for the first of many times, Sergent's first radio play, ''Madness You Can Trust.''
After taking a break from the show for nearly three years, Sergent returned to Outrageous Fortune as Eric in the second to last episode of the fifth season.
Sergent has been a stand-up Comedian and sketch writer since his debut in 1979.
Filmography
Film Film Year Role Notes It's Your Child Norman Allenby1979Psycho BoyfriendInternational year of the Child. T.V.NZ. The Person Next Door1981PasserbyGaylene Preston's first film. Carry Me Back 1982 Andy Footrot Flats: The Dog's Tale 1987 Spit Murphy (voice) Meet the Feebles 1989 Wynyard the Frog / Trevor the Rat / F.W. Fly / Jim the Frog / Chuck the Frog / The Spider / Vietnamese Gophers (voice) Braindead1992 Vet Film called Dead Alive in North America Absent Without Leave Dick Chicken 1996 Newsagent Via Satellite 1998 Brian The Shirt 2000 Marty Short film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring 2001 Ted Sandyman Extended edition The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King 2008 Additional character voices Eagle vs Shark 2007 Jonah John Quincy AdamsAdamsShort film Moon over MercedesShort film The Killers2008Killer oneStudent film Blessed 2002 Tuffy 2012 Father Short film The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug 2013 Mirkwood Spider (voice) Slow West 2015 Peyote Joe
Television Title Year Role Notes Lynn of Tawa 1980 University Student / Policeman Television comedy special Rock Around the Clock 1981 Bodgie Groper Six episodes Lynn of Tawa Show 1982 Jock Strapp First episode Pioneer Women 1983 Eddie Episode: "Ettie Rout" Cuckoo Land 1986 Utmoor / Merv Episodes: "The Neighbour", "Bookkeeping" Worzel Gummidge Down Under 1987–1989 Dagnation Take It / Terence 2 episodes Public Eye 1988–1989 Various roles The Ray Bradbury Theater 1990–1992 Larson / Boltz 2 episodes Married 1992 Roy Television film Skitz 1993 Various roles Lynn of Tawa - In Search of the Great New Zealand Male 1994 Himself Television comedy special Pulp Comedy 1995–2003 Various roles Telly Laughs1996 Various roles The Semisis Gary Belton Episode: "1.1" The Person Next Door 1997 Presenter Mental health awareness film Mirror, Mirror II1998 Henry Episode: "Elephant Boy" The Legend of William Tell Zark Episode: "The Spirit of Kale" The Adventures of Swiss Family Robinson Sidney Thomas 3 episodes The Dark Knight 2000–2001 Card Gambler #1 / Phillipe de Mere 2 episodes Shortland Street 2001 Rich Fortune 1 episode Atlantis High 2001–2002 Mr. Quentin / Q Recurring role; 10 episodes Revelations: The Initial Journey2002 Lysias Episode: "And Judas Had a Brother" Oscar & Friends Dog / Opossum Episode: "Oscar Takes Off" The Strip 2002–2003 Ian "Dogwood" Douglas 6 episodes The Tribe 2003 Dad Episode: "5.33" The Insiders Guide to Happiness2004 Father of the Bride Episode: "Is Happiness an Accident?" From Len Lye to Gollum: New Zealand Animators Mr. Pencil / Narrator Television documentary Outrageous Fortune 2005–2010 Eric Grady Recurring role; 42 episodes The Lost Children 2006 Harold Main role; 12 episodes Flight of the Conchords 2009 Brian, Prime Minister of New Zealand 2 episodes
Theatre Year Title Role Venue Notes 1979 How the Other Half Loves William Featherstone Four Seasons Theatre First Stand-Up gig Upper Hutt 1980 The Lion in Winter John Fortune Theatre1981 Gimme ShelterChris, TeacherBATS1983 Crimes of the Heart Barnette Lloyd Circa Theatre The Hangman Prisoner Hurst New Depot Hot Water Clive Palmer Downstage Theatre1984 Election RevueVariousCirca Theatre 1985 Charley's Aunt Lord Fancourt Babberley Downstage 1986 Unsuitable For AdultsNick Downstage1987 The Happy WitchDarfusCirca Theatre1988 Legal Revue VariousCirca Theatre 1989 Ladies' Night Gavin James Cabaret1990 Weed Hugh Riorden Circa Elizabeth: Almost by Chance a Woman Dame Grosslady BATS Theatre1992 The Homecoming Lenny CircaWon Chapman Tripp Award for Male Actor of the Year A Dangerous Game Alfredo Traps BATS1993 Arsenic and Old Lace Dr. Herman Einstein Downstage Summer of the Seventeenth Doll Barney Ibbot Downstage Ladies' Night 2: Raging On Gavin Downstage 1994 I Hate Hamlet Gary Peter Lefkowitz Circa Won Chapman Tripp Award for Male Actor in a Supporting Role 1995 Moonlight Jake Circa1996 Market Forces Nick Circa Uncle Vanya Telegin Herald Theatre1997 Travels with My Aunt Circa Lady Windermere's Fan Circa Four Cities Wojtek Milosz Circa1998 The Big Picture Guy Circa Closer Larry Circa1999 This Train I'm On Billy Circa Shear Madness No. 5 Cable St. Theatre place 2000 Speaking in Tongues Multiple roles Circa2001 The Country Wife Sparkish/Quack Circa Othello Iago Court Theatre Take a Chance on Me Eric Circa2002 Shake The BardPetruchio, Macbeth, variousTour 2002 Meltdown Jim Harrison Circa 2004 The Love of Humankind Playwright / Rodney Pump Circa Won Chapman Tripp Award for Outstanding New Playwright of the Year 2005 A Midsummer Night's Dream Hippolyta Circa 2006 Dinner Mike Circa2008 Mr. ParadiseMr. ParadiseSalem State Theatre The TempestProsperoSalem State Theatre2009 Five Short Plays of Harold PinterPrisoner / Lover / Doctor / DispatcherFive Points Theatre Boston2010 Boxed InFrankFirehouse theatreMassachusetts HeidiGrandfatherNewburyport theatre2012 The Truth GameRafeCirca Theatre2012 Zombie AppocalypseStrangerChristmas flood aftermath play, touring2014 RevueSir Robert MuldoonBATS
References