Jay Laga'aia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jay Laga'aia
Jay Laga'aia in Florida, June 2009
Born	(1963-09-10) 10 September 1963 (age 61) Auckland, New Zealand
Nationality	New Zealand, Australian
Occupation	Actor, singer
Years active	1981–present
Spouse(s)	Sandie Jane Laga'aia ​ (m. 1990)​
Children	8

Jay Laga'aia is a super talented actor and singer from New Zealand and Australia. He was born on September 10, 1963.

You might know him best as Captain Typho from the Star Wars movies, Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. He's also famous for his TV roles, like Senior Constable Tommy Tavita in Water Rats and Elijah Johnson in Home and Away.

Jay also had his own children's TV show called Jay's Jungle from 2015 to 2018. Plus, he's a regular on the popular Australian kids' program Play School.

Jay's Amazing Career Journey

Jay Laga'aia started his music career in 1982. He was part of a group called the Consorts. They released a popular song called "Maoris on 45" in New Zealand that year.

Star Wars and TV Shows

Jay is well-known for his role as Captain Typho in the Star Wars films. He also played Draco in three episodes of the TV series Xena: Warrior Princess.

He was a regular on Australian TV shows like Water Rats and Play School. In 2002, he was even a contestant on Celebrity Big Brother. He also had a guest role as Gabriel in McLeod's Daughters.

Singing and Stage Shows

Jay is also a fantastic stage actor. He performed in the musical The Lion King. In 1994, he played Judas in a New Zealand show of Jesus Christ Superstar.

On October 9, 2007, Jay released a children's music album called Come Dance and Sing. He also performed at Carols by Candlelight in 2008. From 2008, he narrated all the characters in the children's show Larry the Lawnmower.

In 2009, Jay joined the cast of the Australian soap opera Home and Away. He played Reverend Elijah Johnson until 2012. He released his second children's CD, I Can Play Anything, in August 2010.

Helping Others and More Music

In 2009, Jay became an Ambassador for the Touched by Olivia Foundation, which helps create safe play spaces for children. In 2012, he became an Ambassador for kindergartens in Queensland, Australia.

Jay released two more albums in 2012: a Christmas album called Christmas at Jays Place and a nursery rhyme album called 10 in the Bed. He also created music for a children's picture book called 'Baby Elephant Walk'.

He returned to the stage in 2013-14 to play the Wonderful Wizard of Oz in the musical Wicked during its tour in New Zealand and Australia. In 2019, he was part of the Australian tour of Peter Pan Goes Wrong.

Jay's Personal Life

Jay Laga'aia grew up in Māngere, South Auckland, New Zealand. His younger brother, Frank Laga'aia, was a member of the award-winning band Ilanda.

Jay is also a member of the 501st Legion, which is an international group of Star Wars fans who dress up as characters from the movies. He's part of the Terror Australis Garrison in Australia.

Since 1990, Jay has been married to Sandra Jane Laga'aia. They have eight children together! Their daughter Catherine is also a child actress. In June 2024, she was chosen to play the main character in the live-action Moana movie, which will come out in 2026.

Jay's Music Albums

Jay's Film Roles

Jay's Television Roles

Jay as Himself on TV

Images for kids

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  Jay Laga'aia performing

See also

In Spanish: Jay Laga'aia para niños