Karl Urban

Karl-Heinz Urban (born 7 June 1972) is a New Zealand actor. His career began with appearances in New Zealand films and television series such as Xena: Warrior Princess. His first Hollywood role was in the 2002 horror film Ghost Ship. Since then, he has starred in many high-profile movies, including as Éomer in two films of The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2002–2003), Vaako in two films of the Riddick film series (2004–2013), Leonard McCoy in the Star Trek reboot film series (2009–2016), Kirill in The Bourne Supremacy (2004), John "Reaper" Grimm in Doom (2005), Judge Dredd in Dredd (2012), Gavin Magary in Pete's Dragon (2016), and Skurge in Marvel Studios' Thor: Ragnarok (2017). In 2013, he starred in the sci-fi series Almost Human. Since 2019, he has starred as Billy Butcher in Amazon Prime Video's superhero streaming television series The Boys and voiced a character in The Sea Beast.

Infobox

Born

Karl-Heinz Urban (1972-06-07) 7 June 1972 (age 53)Wellington, New Zealand

Education

St Mark's Church School, Wellington College

Occupation

Actor

Years active

1990–present

Spouse

mw- Natalie Wihongi (m. 2004; sep. 2014)

Partner

Katee Sackhoff (2014–2018)

Children

Tables

· Filmography › Film

1992

Chunuk Bair

Role(s)

Wellington Soldier

1998

Heaven

Role(s)

Sweeper

Via Satellite

Role(s)

Paul

2000

The Irrefutable Truth about Demons

Role(s)

Harry Ballard

The Price of Milk

Role(s)

Rob

2002

Ghost Ship

Role(s)

Munder

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Role(s)

Éomer

2003

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Role(s)

Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best CastCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting EnsembleNational Board of Review Award for Best CastScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureNominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast

2004

The Chronicles of Riddick

Role(s)

Siberius Vaako

The Bourne Supremacy

Role(s)

Kirill

2005

Doom

Role(s)

John "Reaper" Grimm

Notes

Nominated—Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Bloodiest Beatdown (with Dwayne Johnson)

2006

Out of the Blue

Role(s)

Nick Harvey

Notes

Won—Qantas Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor

2007

Pathfinder

Role(s)

Ghost

2009

Star Trek

Role(s)

Leonard McCoy

Notes

Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best CastDenver Film Critics Society Award for Best CastNominated—Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting EnsembleNominated—Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble

Black Water Transit

Role(s)

Earl Pike

2010

And Soon the Darkness

Role(s)

Michael

Red

Role(s)

William Cooper

2011

Priest

Role(s)

Black Hat

2012

Dredd

Role(s)

Judge Dredd

2013

Star Trek Into Darkness

Role(s)

Leonard McCoy

Riddick

Role(s)

Siberius Vaako

Notes

Cameo

Walking with Dinosaurs

Role(s)

Zack

2014

The Loft

Role(s)

Vincent Stevens

2016

Star Trek Beyond

Role(s)

Leonard McCoy

Pete's Dragon

Role(s)

Gavin Magary

2017

Thor: Ragnarok

Role(s)

Skurge the Executioner

Acts of Vengeance

Role(s)

Officer Hank Strode

Hangman

Role(s)

Detective Will Ruiney

2018

Bent

Role(s)

Danny Gallagher

2019

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker

Role(s)

Stormtrooper

Notes

Cameo

2020

Butcher: A Short Film

Role(s)

William "Billy" Butcher

Notes

Short film

2022

The Sea Beast

Role(s)

Jacob Holland

Notes

Voice role

2026

Mortal Kombat II

Role(s)

Johnny Cage

Notes

Post-production

TBA

Role(s)

I, Object

The Bluff

Role(s)

Connor

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1992	Chunuk Bair	Wellington Soldier
1998	Heaven	Sweeper
1998	Via Satellite	Paul
2000	The Irrefutable Truth about Demons	Harry Ballard
2000	The Price of Milk	Rob
2002	Ghost Ship	Munder
2002	The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers	Éomer
2003	The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King	Éomer	Broadcast Film Critics Association Award for Best CastCritics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting EnsembleNational Board of Review Award for Best CastScreen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion PictureNominated—Phoenix Film Critics Society Award for Best Cast
2004	The Chronicles of Riddick	Siberius Vaako
2004	The Bourne Supremacy	Kirill
2005	Doom	John "Reaper" Grimm	Nominated—Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Bloodiest Beatdown (with Dwayne Johnson)
2006	Out of the Blue	Nick Harvey	Won—Qantas Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor
2007	Pathfinder	Ghost
2009	Star Trek	Leonard McCoy	Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best CastDenver Film Critics Society Award for Best CastNominated—Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Acting EnsembleNominated—Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
2009	Black Water Transit	Earl Pike
2010	And Soon the Darkness	Michael
2010	Red	William Cooper
2011	Priest	Black Hat
2012	Dredd	Judge Dredd
2013	Star Trek Into Darkness	Leonard McCoy
	Riddick	Siberius Vaako	Cameo
	Walking with Dinosaurs	Zack
2014	The Loft	Vincent Stevens
2016	Star Trek Beyond	Leonard McCoy
2016	Pete's Dragon	Gavin Magary
2017	Thor: Ragnarok	Skurge the Executioner
	Acts of Vengeance	Officer Hank Strode
	Hangman	Detective Will Ruiney
2018	Bent	Danny Gallagher
2019	Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker	Stormtrooper	Cameo
2020	Butcher: A Short Film	William "Billy" Butcher	Short film
2022	The Sea Beast	Jacob Holland	Voice role
2026	Mortal Kombat II	Johnny Cage	Post-production
TBA	I, Object		Post-production
TBA	The Bluff	Connor	Post-production

Key · Filmography › Film

†	Denotes film or TV productions that have not yet been released

· Filmography › Television

1990

Shark in the Park

Role(s)

Rohann Murdoch

Notes

6 episodes

1992

Homeward Bound

Role(s)

Tim Johnstone

Notes

Unknown episodes

1993

White Fang

Role(s)

David

Notes

Episode: "Tough Kid"

1993–1994

Role(s)

Shortland Street

Notes

Paramedic Jamie Forrest

1995

Riding High

Role(s)

James Westwood

Notes

Unknown episodes

1996–1998

Role(s)

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys

Notes

Cupid; Julius Caesar

1996–2001

Role(s)

Xena: Warrior Princess

Notes

Mael

Julius Caesar

Role(s)

8 episodes (season 2–4, 6)

Cupid

Role(s)

2 episodes (season 2)

Kor

Role(s)

Episode: "Lifeblood" (season 5)

1997

Amazon High

Role(s)

Kor

Notes

Television film

2000

The Privateers

Role(s)

Captain Aran Dravyk

Notes

Television film

2008

Comanche Moon

Role(s)

Woodrow F. Call

Notes

Miniseries

2013–2014

Role(s)

Almost Human

Notes

John Kennex

2014

Short Poppies

Role(s)

Alex Turnbull

Notes

Episode: "Mary Ledbetter"

2019–present

Role(s)

The Boys

Notes

William "Billy" Butcher

2023

Gen V

Role(s)

Episode: "Guardians of Godolkin"

2024

Ark: The Animated Series

Role(s)

Bob

Notes

Voice role

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1990	Shark in the Park	Rohann Murdoch	6 episodes
1992	Homeward Bound	Tim Johnstone	Unknown episodes
1993	White Fang	David	Episode: "Tough Kid"
1993–1994	Shortland Street	Paramedic Jamie Forrest	Recurring
1995	Riding High	James Westwood	Unknown episodes
1996–1998	Hercules: The Legendary Journeys	Cupid; Julius Caesar	Episode: "The Green-Eyed Monster"; "Render Unto Caesar"
1996–2001	Xena: Warrior Princess	Mael	Episode: "Altared States" (season 1)
		Julius Caesar	8 episodes (season 2–4, 6)
		Cupid	2 episodes (season 2)
		Kor	Episode: "Lifeblood" (season 5)
1997	Amazon High	Kor	Television film
2000	The Privateers	Captain Aran Dravyk	Television film
2008	Comanche Moon	Woodrow F. Call	Miniseries
2013–2014	Almost Human	John Kennex	13 episodes
2014	Short Poppies	Alex Turnbull	Episode: "Mary Ledbetter"
2019–present	The Boys	William "Billy" Butcher	Lead role, 32 episodes. Also producer.Nominated—Best Actor in a Superhero Series, Critics' Choice Super AwardsNominated—Best Actor in a Streaming Series, Drama, Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards
2023	Gen V	William "Billy" Butcher	Episode: "Guardians of Godolkin"
2024	Ark: The Animated Series	Bob	Voice role

· Filmography › Video games

2013

Star Trek

Role(s)

Leonard McCoy

Notes

Also likeness

2023

"Let's get to Work"

Notes

Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon live-action trailer

2024

Ark: Survival Ascended

Role(s)

Bob

Notes

Bob's Tall Tales downloadable content

Year	Title	Voice role	Notes
2013	Star Trek	Leonard McCoy	Also likeness
2023	"Let's get to Work"		Armored Core VI: Fires of Rubicon live-action trailer
2024	Ark: Survival Ascended	Bob	Bob's Tall Tales downloadable content

References

"Miami Herald: Search Results"
https://web.archive.org/web/20220716185804/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MH&s_site=miami&p_multi=MH&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=128ACFC2CD52A118&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/karl-urban-star-amazon-superhero-drama-series-boys-1100208
The New Zealand Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=144085
Karlurbanonline.com
https://web.archive.org/web/20130607051100/http://www.karlurbanonline.com/documents/25.html
St Mark's School
https://www.st-marks.school.nz/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/1983-Yearbook.pdf
[1] Archived 1 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/search/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001051319
USA Today
https://web.archive.org/web/20080119052251/https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2008-01-10-karl-urban_N.htm
Chicago Tribune
https://www.chicagotribune.com/zap-cbscomanchemooncasting-story.html
The New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/11/arts/television/11coma.html
And Karl Urban as McCoy! Archived 3 July 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 17 October 2007
http://www.startrek.com/startrek/view/news/article/2310434.html
Urban, Pine join Abrams' 'Star Trek', 18 October 2007
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/film/news/e3id8e5364152f5fc45f22c9f376098ef3b
Karl Urban: From Comanche Moon's Old West to Star Trek's Exciting Future, 11 January 2008
https://www.tvguide.com/news/karl-urban-comanche/080111-03
Urban Talks Trek Characters and Production Design, 11 January 2008
http://trekmovie.com/2008/01/11/urban-talks-trek-characters-and-production-design
"Karl Urban Was Ready For Star Trek"
https://trekmovie.com/2008/01/09/karl-urban-was-ready-for-star-trek/
"Happy Birthday, Karl Urban"
https://trekmovie.com/2010/06/07/happy-birthday-karl-urban-2/
IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/07/24/star-trek-beyonds-karl-urban-on-why-he-almost-didnt-return-after-into-darkness
Interview: Karl Urban on the set of RED, 15 July 2010
http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=31762
Bloody Disgusting!
https://www.bloody-disgusting.com/news/20978
Shave
http://www.shavemagazine.com/entertainment/interview-karl-urban/3
"Dredd Wraps Its Theatrical Run"
https://comicbook.com/blog/2012/11/02/dredd-wraps-its-theatrical-run/
ScreenAnarchy
https://screenanarchy.com/2011/06/erik-van-looys-loft-receives-second-remake-in-three-years.html
"Karl Urban to Replace Michael C. Hall in Disney's 'Pete's Dragon' Remake"
https://www.thewrap.com/karl-urban-to-replace-michael-c-hall-in-disneys-petes-dragon-remake-exclusive/
"Marvel Studios Confirms Stellar New Cast Members of the Highly Anticipated 'Thor: Ragnarok' - News - Marvel.com"
http://marvel.com/news/movies/26203/marvel_studios_confirms_stellar_new_cast_members_of_the_highly_anticipated_thor_ragnarok
variety
https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/acts-of-vengeance-review-1202598767/
"The Boys and Star Trek star Karl Urban had secret Rise of Skywalker cameo"
https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a33444596/karl-urban-star-wars-rise-of-skywalker-cameo/
The A.V. Club
https://www.avclub.com/sea-beast-review-chris-williams-netflix-karl-urban-1849105217
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2019/07/the-boys-renewed-season-2-amazon-aya-cash-closes-deal-stormfront-1202649409/
IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-2-first-look-at-karl-urbans-johnny-cage
Lit 19: Untitled Gothic Western (Karl Urban)
https://archive.org/details/ASG-UGW
"Karl Urban Online"
https://web.archive.org/web/20130608081438/http://karlurbanonline.com/
Empire (film magazine)
http://www.empireonline.com/features/trilogy/default.asp?film=7
"Five Favorite Films with Karl Urban"
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/san_diego_comic_con_2010/news/1920164/five-favorite-films-with-karl-urban/
The New Zealand Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11283309
The New Zealand Herald
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11383763
"Patrons and Ambassadors"
https://web.archive.org/web/20120118153745/http://kidscan.org.nz/patrons-and-ambassadors
"Karl Urban appointed as new UNICEF Aotearoa New Zealand Ambassador"
https://www.unicef.org.nz/stories/karl-urban-appointed-as-new-unicef-aotearoa-new-zealand-ambassador
EW.com
https://ew.com/movies/movie-reunions/josh-gad-reunites-lord-of-the-ring-cast-20-years-reveal-secrets/
Tony Kaye Says Unreleased 'Black Water Transit' Is "Not Finished Yet" Archived 30 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine,
http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/tony_kaye_claims_unreleased_black_water_transit_is_not_finished_yet
Empire
https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/urban-joins-soon-darkness/
Tulsa World
https://www.tulsaworld.com/entertainment/movies/filming-red-painful-for-karl-urban/article_c6d398a0-71b4-52a7-a2cb-fe9b28efbeda.html
Collider
https://collider.com/karl-urban-talks-priest-and-star-trek-2/
"What a 'Judge Dredd' show needs to learn from the Stallone film"
https://www.cnet.com/news/judge-dredd-tv-show-mega-city-one-sylvester-stallone-karl-urban-sequel-gaze-into-the-fist/
ComicBook.com
https://comicbook.com/startrek/2017/08/08/star-trek-into-darkness-karl-urban/
Collider
https://collider.com/karl-urban-riddick-3/
Variety
https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/film-review-walking-with-dinosaurs-1200978082/
Collider
https://collider.com/the-loft-trailer-karl-urban/
CINEMABLEND
https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1689819/why-karl-urban-almost-didnt-return-for-star-trek-beyond
The New Zealand Herald
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11694829
ComicBook.com
https://comicbook.com/marvel/2018/10/26/thor-ragnarok-why-karl-urban-played-skurge/
Variety
https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/acts-of-vengeance-review-1202598767/
The Hollywood Reporter
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/hangman-1069915
Birth.Movies.Death
https://birthmoviesdeath.com/2018/05/16/bent-review-karl-urban-wants-to-know-who-set-him-up
Animation Magazine
https://www.animationmagazine.net/features/netflixs-the-sea-beast-rises-from-the-depths-with-teaser-cast-date-reveal/
TheWrap
https://www.thewrap.com/mortal-kombat-johnny-cage-actor-karl-urban/
Deadline Hollywood
https://deadline.com/2023/06/mortal-kombat-2-adds-damon-herriman-martyn-ford-more-1235418062/
IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/mortal-kombat-2-rounds-out-the-rest-of-its-cast
ComingSoon
https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/1299707-mortal-kombat-2-photo-cast
"Karl Urban: From Comanche Moon to Star Trek"
https://www.ign.com/articles/2008/01/10/karl-urban-from-comanche-moon-to-star-trek
"'Ark: The Animated Series': Vin Diesel, Michelle Yeoh & Elliot Page Among Voice Cast Members In New Video Game-Inspired Show"
https://deadline.com/2020/12/ark-the-animated-series-vin-diesel-michelle-yeoh-elliot-page-among-voice-cast-members-in-new-video-game-inspired-show-1234654598/
ComicBook.com
https://comicbook.com/startrek/2017/08/07/star-trek-karl-urban-leonard-nimoy-cry/
IGN
https://www.ign.com/articles/ark-survival-ascended-set-to-add-a-free-desert-map-and-dlc-starring-karl-urbans-bob