Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie, ONZM is a New Zealand comedian, actor, musician and producer, best known for being one half of the Grammy Award winning musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords along with Jemaine Clement. McKenzie served as music supervisor for two Muppet film...
Actor, Screenwriter, Television producer, Musician, Comedian, Lyricist, Composer
Education
Victoria University of Wellington
Nationality
New Zealand
Spouse
Hannah Clarke (m. 2009)
Children
Leo McKenzie, Vita McKenzie
Parents
Deirdre Tarrant, Peter McKenzie
Siblings
Jonathan McKenzie, Justin McKenzie
Nicknames
The Rhymenoceros , Rhymenoceros , Video Kid , McKenzie, Bret , Fllight of the Conchords , Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie , Bret Peter Tarrant McKenzie, ONZM
Academy Award for Best Original Song, Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Song
Music Groups
Flight of the Conchords (Since 1998), The Black Seeds, The Wellington International Ukulele Orchestra
Nominations
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series, Grammy Award for Best Song Written for Visual Media, Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music And Lyrics, Writers Guild of America Award for Television: New Series, Writer...
Movies
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, Austenland, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Two Little Boys, The Outback, Diagnosis: Death, Sally
TV Shows
Flight of the Conchords
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Trademark
1
His beard
2
Curly black hair
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Quote
1
[on films of the '30s and '40s] It was such a golden age for musicals. Those years are so influential on us now with what they did for films with musical numbers. I'm jealous of that time. It seemed like the actors spent most of their time doing dancing and singing lessons, and they'd come on set and know all the moves. And they could all sing as we'll. Now you're dealing with actors who can't sing or dance, but think they can.
2
I grew up watching the 'Muppets.' In New Zealand, the 'Muppets' were as big as anywhere else I think. It was a pretty global phenomenon.
3
It's easy to struggle in New York. I think New York is a bit expensive.
4
Music-wise, I listen to everything. Leonard Cohen, Randy Newman - I guess I like a lot of '70s music.
5
My acting's very understated. I think my sad and happy don't play that differently onscreen.
6
I think the radio is kind of cool, because you're really free to do whatever you want, because you can go into another world. Whereas in TV, you have to make that world.
7
One of the mistakes I made was thinking chickens and penguins could sing, just like all the other animals in the 'Muppets.' But it turns out those animals are not allowed to sing words.
8
The 'Muppets' were a very big part of my childhood, and 'Flight of the Conchords' definitely has elements of the 'Muppets' in it, specifically the way we mixed music and comedy.
lyrics: "Interrogation Song" / music: "Interrogation Song" / producer: "We're Doing a Sequel", "I'm Number One", "The Big House", "I'll Get You What You Want Cockatoo In Malibu", "Interrogation Song", "Something So Right", "Together Again" / writer: "Life's A Happy Song", "We're Doing a Sequel", "I'm Number One", "The Big House", "I'll Get You What You Want Cockatoo In Malibu", "Something So Right"
NotBad
2013
Documentary short writer: "One by One"
Danville 2nd Ward Young Men
2013
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Pirates! Band of Misfits
2012
writer: "I'm Not Crying"
Dancing with the Stars
2011
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Muppets
2011
producer: "Life's a Happy Song", "Pictures in My Head", "Me Party", "Let's Talk About Me", "Man or Muppet", "Rainbow Connection", "Life's a Happy Song Finale" / writer: "Life's a Happy Song", "Me Party", "Let's Talk About Me", "Man or Muppet", "Life's a Happy Song Finale"
Naruto: The Abridged Comedy Fandub Spoof Series Show
2010
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Flight of the Conchords
TV Series performer - 22 episodes, 2007 - 2009 writer - 22 episodes, 2007 - 2009
Timeshift
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode, 2008 writer - 1 episode, 2008
Chuck
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Backstage Pass
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2007 writer - 1 episode, 2007
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV Series performer - 2 episodes, 2005 - 2007 writer - 2 episodes, 2005 - 2007
Late Show with David Letterman
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2007 writer - 1 episode, 2007
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2005 writer - 1 episode, 2005
One Night Stand
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2005 writer - 1 episode, 2005
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bret and Jemaine's Announcement
2010
Short
Flight of the Conchords
TV Series creator - 22 episodes, 2007 - 2009 written by - 13 episodes, 2007 - 2009
Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey
2006
TV Movie
One Night Stand
2005
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Austenland
2013
Martin
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey
2012
Lindir
Deano and Nige's Best Last Day Ever
2012
Nige
The Outback
2012
Hamish (voice)
The Simpsons
2010
TV Series
Kurt
Diagnosis: Death
2009
Dr. Cruise
Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!
2009
TV Series
Tim's Tennis Double
Flight of the Conchords
2007-2009
TV Series
Bret
The Drinky Crow Show
2008
TV Series
Alien
Pantsed
2008
Short
Date
Futile Attraction
2004
Wickham
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2003
Elf Escort
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
2001
Figwit (uncredited)
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tip Top Taj Mahal
2017
original songs by pre-production
Muppets Most Wanted
2014
music supervisor / original songs by
The Muppets
2011
music supervisor / original songs by - uncredited
Flight of the Conchords
2007-2009
TV Series composer - 22 episodes
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Flight of the Conchords
2007-2009
TV Series 22 episodes
Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey
2006
TV Movie
Sheep Man
2006
Short
One Night Stand
2005
TV Series 1 episode
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Flight of the Conchords
TV Series co-executive producer - 12 episodes, 2007 executive producer - 10 episodes, 2008 - 2009
Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey
2006
TV Movie producer
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Tongan Ninja
2002
kitchen choreographer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
Hunt for the Wilderpeople
2016
very special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Last Call with Carson Daly
2014
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Made in Hollywood
2013
TV Series
Himself
The 84th Annual Academy Awards
2012
TV Special
Himself - Winner: Best Original Song
Conan
2012
TV Series
Himself - Guest
MSN Exclusives
2012
TV Series
Himself
Bret and Jemaine's Announcement
2010
Short
Himself
Bro'Town
2009
TV Series
Himself
Flight of the Conchords: On Air
2009
TV Short documentary
Himself
Rocked the Nation
2009
TV Series documentary
Himself
Largo
2008
Himself
Backstage Pass
2007
TV Series
Himself
Flight of the Conchords: A Texan Odyssey
2006
TV Movie
Himself
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
2005
TV Series
Himself
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
2005
TV Series
Himself
One Night Stand
2005
TV Series
Himself
Just for Laughs
2004
TV Series
Himself
Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!!
2004
Documentary
Figwit
Stand Up!
2004
TV Series
Himself - Flight of the Conchords
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lennon or McCartney
2014
Documentary short
Himself
Won Awards
Year
Award
Ceremony
Nomination
Movie
2012
Oscar
Academy Awards, USA
Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song
$4 Million
