Jay Laga'aia is a New Zealand-Australian actor and singer. He is best known internationally for his role as Captain Typho in the films ' and '. Laga'aia is noted for his television roles, including Senior Constable Tommy Tavita in the Australianpolice dramaWater Rats, lawyer David Silesi in the New Zealandlegal dramaStreet Legal and Elijah Johnson in the long running Australian soap operaHome and Away. He currently appears in an Australian Children's TV Series called Jay's Jungle, which has been broadcast since 2015. He is a regular feature on Australian kids program Play School.
Career
Laga'aia is known for his part on Australian children's TV show Playschool, and also for his role as Captain Typho in the films ' and '. He played the recurring role of Draco in three episodes of the television series . Laga'aia was a regular in Australian television showsWater Rats, Play School, Surprise Surprise, and a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother in 2002 and had a guest role as Gabriel in McLeod's Daughters. He is also known for his stage productions such as The Lion King. Laga'aia played the role of Judas in a 1994 production of Jesus Christ Superstar in New Zealand. On 9 October 2007, Laga'aia released a children's album, Come Dance and Sing. On 24 December 2008, Laga'aia performed on Carols by Candlelight. Laga'aia narrated each of the characters on the children's show Larry the Lawnmower, which ran for 2 seasons starting in 2008. In November 2009, it was confirmed that Laga'aia had joined the cast of Australian soap opera Home and Away, as Reverend Elijah Johnson, until his sacking in February 2012. Laga'aia released his second CD for children, I Can Play Anything, in August 2010. In 2008 Laga'aia took on the role as Ambassador for the Touch By Olivia Foundation Charity. In 2012 he was appointed as the new Ambassador for the Queensland Kindergartens. In 2012 Laga'aia two albums, a Christmas album entitled Christmas at Jays Place and a nursery rhyme album called 10 in the Bed. He also provided the music for Scholastic's picture book 'Baby Elephant Walk'. He returned to the stage to play the role of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the 2013-14 New Zealand and Australia national tour of the acclaimed Broadway musical, Wicked. In 2019, he was part of the Australian tour cast of Peter Pan Goes Wrong.
Personal life
Laga'aia was born and raised in Mangere, South Auckland, New Zealand, he is now a dual and Australian citizen. He is of Samoan descent. He has six brothers and sisters and two half-brothers. One of his younger brothers, Frank Laga'aia, was a member of the ARIA award-winning band Ilanda. Jay is also a member of the International Costuming group the as a member of the Terror Australis Garrison. Since 1990, Laga'ia has been married to Sandie Jane Laga'aia, with whom he has eight children: Jeremy, Matthew, Iosefa, Jessica, Nathaniel "Tana", Georgia Rose, Katie, and Isabella.
