Television Actress

Rena Owen Biography

Rena Owen is a prominent New Zealand actress in theatre, television, and film. She is well known for her leading role as Taun We in George Lucas’s Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Beth Heke in Lee Tamahori’s Once Were Warriors.

10 Quick Facts About Rena Owens

• Name: Maria Makarena Owen
• Age: 61 Years (2023)
• Birthday: 22 July
• Birth sign: Cancer
• Height: 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m)
• Nationality: New Zealander
• Occupation: Actress, Nurse, and public speaker
• Marital status: Divorced
• Salary: Not Available
• NetWorth: $5 million

Rena Owen Age

Owen is 61 years old as of 2023, she was born on 22 July 1962, in Bay of Islands, New Zealand. She celebrates her birthday on 22 July every year and her birth sign is Cancer.

Rena Owen Height

Owen stands at a height of 5 feet 6 inches (1.68 m) tall. She has got fair Dark brown skin and eyes that top to her beauty.

Rena Owen Weight

Owen weighs 55 kg (123 lbs).

Early Life and Education

Owen was born on 22 July 1962, in the New Zealand Bay of Islands. She holds Irish, English, Welsh, and Māori descent. Rena grew up in Moerewa as one of nine children, brought up Catholic in a small rural town in the North Island’s Bay of Islands.

She frequently acted in local Maori culture groups and was portrayed in dramas and musicals while in high school. Owen studied a medical profession and prepared as a nurse at Auckland Hospital for three and a half years. Once she qualified as a registered nurse, Owen moved to London, England.

Rise to Fame

Owen rose to fame in the early 1990s with her role as Beth Heke in the New Zealand film Once Were Warriors. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Owen’s performance was widely praised. She won the New Zealand Film and Television Award for Best Actress for her role, and the film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Rena Owen Parents

Owen was born in the New Zealand Bay of Islands, Owen is of Maori, Welsh as well as other European descent. One of nine children, she grew up in Moerewa, raised Catholic in a small rural town in the North Island’s Bay of Islands. Owen is from a family of 9 kids unmentioned her being among them, but they sadly lost their parents at an early age.

Due to her determination in her two major careers, she has become the most successful in their family. Their mother died in the year 2008 following their father’s death. However, our efforts to find out more about her family came to no avail, as no such information is publicly available. Thus, the identity of Owen’s parents is still unclear. We will update this section once this information is available.

Rena Owen Siblings

Owen is also not known if she has any siblings. We will update this section once this information is available.

Rena Owen Husband

Since her divorce, Owen has not gone public with her relationship, it is not publicly known whether she remarried or is in a relationship. Her partner’s information will be updated as soon as the information is available

As for her past love life, Rena was married to Faleolo Alailima. The couple ended their marriage, citing professional differences as the reason for divorce. “I realized very quickly you don’t advance your career by propping up bars.”

Rena Owen Children

There is no information about Rena’s children at the moment. We are reviewing this section and we will update this section as soon as we discover any details about her kids.

Rena Owen Net Worth

Owen has an estimated net worth of $5 million dollars as of 2023. This includes his assets, money, and income. His primary source of income is his career as an Actress. Through his various sources of income, Owen has accumulated good fortune but prefers to lead a modest lifestyle.

Rena Owen Measurements and Facts

Here are some interesting facts and body measurements you should know about Rena Owen.

Rena Owen Wiki

• Full Names: Rena Owen
• Popular As: Actress
• Gender: Female
• Occupation / Profession: Actress
• Nationality: New Zealand
• Race / Ethnicity: White
• Religion: Not Available
• Sexual Orientation: Straight

Rena Owen Birthday

• Age / How Old?: 61 Years (2023)
• Zodiac Sign: Cancer
• Date of Birth: 22 July 1962
• Place of Birth: Bay of Islands, New Zealand
• Birthday: July 22

Rena Owen Body Measurements

• Body Measurements: Not Available
• Height / How Tall?: 5 feet 5 inches (1.68 M
• Weight: Moderate
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Black
• Shoe Size: Not Available
• Dress Size: Not Available
• Breast Size: Not Available
• Waist Size: Not Available
• Hip Size: Not Available

Rena Owen Family and Relationship

• Father (Dad): Not Available
• Mother: Not Available
• Siblings (Brothers and Sisters): 8 siblings
• Marital Status: Married
• Husband/Spouse: Married to Faleolo Alailima(divorced)
• Dating / Boyfriend: Not Applicable
• Children: Not Available

Rena Owen’s Net Worth and Salary

• Net Worth: $5 million dollars
• Salary: Not Available
• Source of Income: Actress

Rena Owen House and Cars

• Place of living: US
• Cars: Car Brand to be Updated

Career

Owen is an award-winning actress with a career spanning over 35 years. She is one of only six actors in the world, and the only female, to have worked with both George Lucas and Steven Spielberg. Owen began her career in London in the mid-1980s, where she trained at the Actors Institute and worked extensively in British theatre. She wrote and starred in the play “The River That Ran Away”, which had a successful London tour and was later published by NZ Playmarket.

On her return to New Zealand in 1989, Owen acted in two dramas for Television NZ’s “E Tipu E Rea” series. She then went on to star in the cult classic film “Once Were Warriors” (1994), for which she won the New Zealand Film and Television Award for Best Actress. Owen has since appeared in a number of other films, including “Rapa Nui” (1994), “The Arrival” (1996), “The Perfect Storm” (2000), and “Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith” (2005).

She has also had recurring roles in the television series “Medivac” (1999-2000), “Gideon’s Crossing” (2000), and “Siren” (2018-2019). Owen is a versatile actress who has starred in a wide range of roles, from the powerful matriarch Beth Heke in “Once Were Warriors” to the mysterious mermaid Ryn in “Siren”.

Rena Owen Once Were Warriors

Owen played the leading role of Beth Heke in Once Were Warriors, a 1994 New Zealand drama film based on New Zealand author Alan Duff’s bestselling 1990 first novel. The film depicts the story of the Hekes, an urban Māori family, and their problems with poverty, alcoholism, and domestic violence, mostly brought on by the patriarch, Jake.

The film was directed by Lee Tamahori, written by Riwia Brown, and stars Rena Owen, Temuera Morrison, and Cliff Curtis. It was a huge success and thus became the highest-grossing film of all time in New Zealand. it garnered over 30 International Awards & screened in 66 countries.

Rena Owen Young

Owen performed in local Maori culture groups and performed in dramas as well as musicals while in high school. Owen pursued a medical career and also trained as a nurse at Auckland Hospital for three and a half years. Once she qualified as a registered nurse, Owen moved to London, England.

Rena Owen Star Wars

Owen played the role of Taun We in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones (2002) and acted in Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith (2005) as Nee Alavar. She also worked with the Star Wars Expanded Universe when she repeated her role as Taun We in the video game Star Wars: Republic Commando and also an uncredited role as Jedi Master Tionne Solusar in the video game Star Wars Battlefront: Renegade Squadron. In 2021, Owen reprised her role as Taun We in Star Wars: The Bad Batch.

Rena Owen Movies and TV shows

• Once Were Warriors 1994
• What Becomes of the Broken Hearted? 1999
• Siren 2018 – 2020
• The Dead Lands 2014

• The Gloaming Once Were Warriors: Where Are They Now? Mee-Shee: The Water Giant 2005
• Piece of My Heart 2009
• Escape and Evasion 2019
• When Love Comes Along 1998

• Rain of the Children 2008
• Nemesis Game 2003
• The Straits 2012
• The Last Witch Hunter 2015

• The Land Has Eyes 2004
• Soul Assassin 2002
• 9 Across Dance Me to My Song 1998
• All-American Girl: The Mary Kay Letourneau Story 2000

• Rapa-Nui 1994
• Veronika Decides to Die 2009
• The Last Survivors 2014
• Amusement 2008

• Savage Play 1995
• Alyce Kills 2011
• Medivac 1996 – 1998
• Without a Body 2017

• I’ll Make You Happy 1999
• Players 2003
• A Beautiful Life 2009
• Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (Episode III) 2005

• Lost Girls 2016
• Orville Since 2017
• Witness Insecurity 2011
• East West 101 2007 – 2011

• Ocean of Pearls 2008
• Out of the Shadows 2017
• Freezerburn A.I. Artificial Intelligence
• Prison Break: The Final Break 2009

• The Crow: Wicked Prayer 2005
• Egykoron harcosok voltak Australians Hit Hollywood 2009
• Mai Time Míša – vodní pŕíšerka Hinekaro Goes on a Picnic and Blows Up Another Obelisk 1994
• Oceano di perle The Horrible Flowers Her Iliad Zabójca dusz Survivor

Notable Travel, Events, and Experiences

• Visiting Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in 1994 to film Rapa Nui. Owen was struck by the island’s beauty and mystery, and she said that it was “an incredible experience to be surrounded by such ancient ruins and to learn about the island’s unique culture.”
• Attending the 52nd Berlin International Film Festival in 2002 to promote The Arrival. Owen said that it was “an honor” to be invited to the festival, and she described it as “a great opportunity to meet other filmmakers and to see some amazing films.”
• Traveling to New York City to film Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith in 2005. Owen said that it was “a dream come true” to be part of the Star Wars franchise, and she described New York City as “a truly magical city.

Social Impact: Philanthropic, Charitable and Community Involvement

• The Actors’ Foundation is a New Zealand charity that provides financial assistance to actors in need. Owen is a trustee of the foundation and has helped to raise funds for the organization.
• The Māori Women’s Welfare League is a Māori women’s organization that advocates for the rights of Māori women and girls. Owen is a member of the league and has worked with them to promote gender equality and improve the lives of Māori women.

Rena Owen Awards Accomplishments and Achievements

• New Zealand Film and Television Award for Best Actress for her role in Once Were Warriors (1994)
• Aotearoa Film & Television Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in The River That Ran Away (2002)
• Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for her role in Gideon’s Crossing (2000)
• Dame Te Atairangikaahu Literary Award and Scholarship (1991)

Hobbies and Interests

• Reading. Owen is an avid reader and enjoys reading a wide range of genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and poetry.
• Writing. Owen is also a writer and has published a book of short stories, The River That Ran Away (2002).
• Traveling. Owen is a passionate traveler and enjoys exploring new places and cultures.
• Social justice. Owen is a passionate advocate for social justice and has been involved in a number of philanthropic and charitable organizations.

Final Thoughts

Owen is a talented and accomplished actress who has had a successful career in film, television, and theatre. She is a role model for aspiring Māori actors and actresses, and her work has helped to promote Māori culture and stories to a wider audience.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rena Owen

Rena Owen Contacts

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• Youtube
• TikTok
• Website

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