Jay Laga’aia

With film credits such as Nim’s Island, Daybreakers, Star Wars Ep. II & III, Navigator and Never Say Die, Jay Laga’aia is one of the most in demand and versatile actors to land on Australian shores.

He has appeared as a regular in numerous Australian, New Zealand and US television series such as Home and Away (currently airing on the Seven Network), Bed of Roses, Legend of the Seeker, for Walt Disney, McLeods Daughters, Water Rats, Xena Warrior Princess (Series 1, 11 and V), Tales of the South Sea and Street Legal. In 2003 he won best actor in the NZ TV Guide Awards for his work on Street Legal.

Theatrically, Jay has played the lead character Mufasa in the long running production of The Lion King and has starred in Jesus Christ Superstar, The New Rock Horror Picture Show, Westside Story and Sweet Charity to name a few.

His presenting credits are various and numerous including, Surprise Surprise, Star Struck, National Geographic Presents and of course, Play School.

A gifted musician, Jay wrote and recorded his first children’s album Come Dance and Sing, released through ABC music in 2007. He also wrote and performed in his own show, Jay’s Place, to sell out audiences at the Sydney Theatre. Jay’s Place won the 2007 Sydney Theatre Award for Best Production for Children and a DVD of the show was released a short time after. That same year Jay also performed Come Dance and Sing with the Western Australian Symphony Orchestra in Perth.

Jay has entertained children throughout Australia with his live children’s show, Come Dance and Sing with Jay and Friends. He also narrates the children’s series, Larry The Lawnmower for the Seven Network.

In 2010 Jay joined the cast of Home and Away as Rev. Elija Johnson. He filmed Series 3 of Bed of Roses, released his second children’s album, I Can Play Anything.

Jay continues his work on Home and Away and as a much-loved presenter on Play School.

Jay is a proud father of 8.