Bruce Hopkins is one half of the very successful corporate comedy team of Des and Les. He is also one of New Zealand's busiest actors with a recent lead role as "Gamling the Old" in the Lord of the Rings triology.

Regarded by many as one of New Zealand's finest actors and performing artists, Bruce Hopkins is also a sought after voice artist, Master of Ceremonies and talk back radio host. Internationally he is best known for his featured role as "Gamling" in Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings trilogy of films. A little known fact is that Bruce in fact began his working life as a commercial crayfisherman of the coast of Cape Reinga on New Zealand's far north.

Bruce Hopkins is one of a very rare breed… a fourth generation Stewart Islander. Early on in Bruce's life the family packed up and moved to the Bay of Islands where his father Bill Hopkins established himself as a pioneer and legend in the New Zealand fishing industry, founding the packhorse crayfishing industry, and playing a major role in the Chatham Island crayfishing boom.

After graduating from university Bruce returned to commercial crayfishing with his father and then through a series of unexpected events at the age of 22, he was introduced to the world of the performing arts.

What followed was an eight year career as a professional dancer in both New Zealand and Australia, including a national tour with the New Zealand Ballet Company, and three years with the much heralded Limbs Dance Company. Upon becoming a parent for the first time, Bruce literally stepped out of the dance studios and onto main stage as an actor at NZ leading theatre company, The Mercury Theatre in Auckland.

Combining over 20 years of professional performing experience with an enjoyment and fascination of life and the diversity of the human experience, Bruce can work with you to create an atmosphere that will honour your purpose and needs, as well as giving some of his own personality to the occasion.


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