New Zealand actor Temuera Derek Morrison trained in drama under the New Zealand Special Performing Arts Training Scheme. One of his earliest starring roles was in the 1988 film Never Say Die, opposite Lisa Eilbacher.
He gained international recognition for his portrayal of Jake "The Muss" Heke in the 1994 film Once Were Warriors, a film adaptation of Alan Duff's novel of the same name. The film became the most successful local title released in New Zealand and sold to many countries overseas. Morrison's performance earned him the award for best male performance in a dramatic role at the 1994 New Zealand Film and Television Awards.
Morrison reprised his role as Jake "The Muss" Heke in the sequel, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted?, for which he received the Best Actor award from the New Zealand Film Awards. Despite the acclaim he received for his performance, Morrison said in 2010 that he felt typecast by the role, stating it was "a millstone round my neck".
In 1996, Morrison played opposite Marlon Brando in The Island Of Dr. Moreau. He has appeared in supporting roles in Speed 2: Cruise Control (1997) and The Beautiful Country (2004). In 1988, he showcased his comedic skills in the James Bond parody Never Say Die.
Morrison became the host of the talk show The Tem Show on New Zealand television in 2005. He was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 1996 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services to drama.
Morrison started writing an autobiography in 2009, aiming to inspire others to "reach for the stars". He released his debut album, Tem, through Sony Music Entertainment NZ in late November 2014. The album features covers of songs that his father and uncle used to perform at local venues when he was growing up.
Morrison is also known for his role as the bounty hunter Jango Fett in Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002). He provided the voice acting for the clones, and reappeared as a number of clones in Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith. He also re-recorded the lines of the character Boba Fett (Jango's "son") and another clone in the 2004 DVD re-releases of the original Star Wars trilogy.
Most recently, Morrison voiced Chief Tui, the father of the title character in Disney's Moana (2016). He is currently playing Aquaman's father in the Warner Bros. Feature Aquaman 1 & 2.
