Jeff Szusterman
Jeff Szusterman is an award winning actor with more than three decades of experience across stage and screen. Trained at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and Shakespeare & Company, Lenox (MA), Jeff made his professional debut at Wellington’s Downstage Theatre, and has since earned a reputation for intelligent, detailed performances.
He has worked with many of the country’s leading directors and companies, with work ranging from psychologically demanding two handers to large scale ensemble productions. Theatre highlights include Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, Take Me Out, Time Stands Still, and One for the Road.
Jeff has also appeared in a wide range of television dramas and feature projects, bringing the same precision and depth to these roles. Recent highlights include the Greek speaking Echemus in international hit series Spartacus: House of Ashur, and playing Siggy Emanuel in local comedy Kid Sister.
Alongside his performing career, Jeff is a respected tutor and mentor, committed to supporting emerging performers and contributing to the ongoing strength of the New Zealand industry - as evidenced by his long-held position on the board of Equity New Zealand.
Hair Colour
Brown
Location
Auckland | Tāmaki Makaurau
Age Range
45 - 65
Ethnicity
New Zealand European, Jew
Height
176cm
Eye Colour
Brown
Full CV
-
Feature Film
2023 - Uproar - Andrew - Director/s - Paul Middleditch & Hamish Bennett - 1981 Ltd
2020 - Juniper - Mr Jones - Director - Matt Saville - Sandy Lane Productions
2015 - 6 Days - Translator - Director - Toa Fraser
2004 - The Lion, Witch & Wardrobe - Fawn in Tumnus’ Band - Director - Andrew Adamson
1999 - The Shirt - Nick Spitalis (lead) - Director - John Laing
Television
2025 - Spartacus House of Ashur - Echemus (recurring) - Starz
2025 - Chief of War - Antonio - Apple TV
2024 - Time Bandits - Very Important Man - Apple TV
2023 - Kid Sister: season 2 - Siggy Emanuel (core cast) - Greenstone Television
2022 - Kid Sister: season 1 - Siggy Emanuel (core cast) - Greenstone Television
2020 - The Gulf: season 2 - Joe Daysh - Screentime/Lippy Pictures
2019 - Golden Boy - Editor NZ Herald - Director - Chelsie Preston-Crayford - Kevin & Co
2019 - Big Man - Photographer - Director - Danny Mulheron - Great Southern Television
2018 - War Stories - Chad Steinlitz - Director - John Laing
2017 - Why Does Love - Nico - Director - Danny Mulheron - Great Southern Television
2017 - Ash vs. Evil Dead - Sheriff DeSoto - Director - Mark Beasley - Pacific Renaissance Pictures
2016 - American Playboy - Thompson Asst. District Attorney - Director - Johnny St Ours - Stephen David Co.
2014 - The Brokenwood Mysteries - Rob Visnic - Director - Josh Frizzell - South Pacific Pictures
2014 - Shortland Street - Sal Corozzo - Director - Kiel McNaughton - South Pacific Pictures
2012 - Power Rangers: Super Samurai - Master Xandred/Octoroo - SCG Power Rangers
2011 - Power Rangers: Samurai - Master Xandred/Octoroo - SCG Power Rangers
2011 - The Wilson Dixon TV Hour - The Farmer - Director - Mitchell Hawkes - Satellite
2009 - The Jaquie Brown Diaries - Randall - Director - Gerard Johnstone - Young Gifted and Brown
2009 - The Cult - English Doctor - Director - Charlie Haskell - Great Southern Television
2009 - Legend of the Seeker - Captain Frannick - The Walt Disney Company
2009 - Paradise At The End Of The World - Jeffery - Director - Thomas Hezel - GFC (Germany) Ltd
2005 - Interrogation - Said Hassad - Director - Murray Keane - South Pacific Pictures
2005 - Doves of War - Michael Kadir - Director - Chris Bailey - Screenworks
2004 - Hercules (miniseries) - Silenus - Director - Roger Young - Hallmark
1997 - Return To Treasure Island - Jacob - Director - Steve Lahood - Cloud Nine Productions
1997 - The Legend of William Tell - Voss - Director - Declan Ryan - Cloud Nine Productions
Theatre
2016 - Close City - Svante Svantesson - Director - Egle Simkeviciute - Paper Plane Factory
2015 - Time Stands Still - James Dodd - Director - Lara Macgregor - Fortune Theatre
2015 - Treats - Dave - Director - Alistair Browning - Altitude Productions
2010 - Toys - Jack-In-The-Box - Director/s - Cameron Rhodes/Toby Leach - Royale Productions
2009 - Christ Almighty - King Herod - Director/s - Cameron Rhodes/Colin Moy - Royale Productions
2006 - The Holy Sinner - Ensemble - Director/s - Mike Mizrahi/Marie Adams - Inside Out
2006 - Take Me Out - Mason Marzac - Director - Shane Bosher - Silo Theatre
2005 - Suddenly, Last Summer - Dr Cukrowicz - Director - Shane Bosher - Silo Theatre
2004 - Tape - Jon - Directors - Oliver Driver/Colin Mitchell - Silo Theatre
2002 - One For The Road - Victor - Director - Michael O'Connell - Profile Productions
2001 - Not About Heroes - Wilfred Owen - Director - Jon Kretzu - Cygnet Theatre
2001 - Tom Sawyer - Injun Joe - Director - Julie Akers - Oregon Children’s Theatre
2001 - The Seagull - Yakov - Director - Chris Coleman - Portland Center Stage
2000 - Rutherford - Various - Director - Susan Wilson - Circa Theatre
1999 - Danny and the Deep Blue Sea - Danny - Director - Perry Piercey - Theatrecycle
1998 - An Unseasonable Fall of Snow - Tony - Director - KC Kelly - NZ International Arts Festival
1998 - The Merchant of Venice - Understudy for Aragon & Old Gobbo - Director - Tina Packer - Shakespeare & Co
1998 - Comedy of Errors - Egeon - Shakespeare & Co Carey Upton
1997 - Pains of Youth - Freder - Director - Geoff Boyd - Bats Theatre
1997 - Taking Sides - Lt. David Wills - Director - Ross Jolly - Circa Theatre
1996 - Tzigane - Harry Costea - Director - Cathy Downes - Downstage Theatre
1996 - The Visit - Various - Director - Colin McColl - Downstage
Short Film
2023 - Rochelle - Dad - Director - Tom Furniss
2020 - Waitress - Mark - Director - Ella Hope-Higginson
2009 - Eeling - Husband (lead) - Director - Peter McCully
2009 - Licks ’n’ Smiles - George (lead) Director - Dan Salmon
Commercial includes:
2025 - Campbell's 'Get Real' Stock & Soups
2023 - Rail Safety Week
2022 - Airpoints 'Don't Live Pointlessly'
2021 - Baqsimi ‘Little Things’
2020 - Griffins Snax Crunches
2017 - Toyota 'Drive Happy' -
1998 - Shakespeare & Company - Shakespeare Intensive
1994 - 1995 - Toi Whakaari o Aotearoa: New Zealand Drama School - Dip Prof Theatre -
2000 - Winner - Best Actor in a Lead Role - Wilfred Owen in 'Not About Heroes' - Portland Drama Critics "Drammy" Award, Portland (OR)
1997 - Winner - Circa Production of the Year for ‘Taking Sides’ - Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
1996 - Nominee - Best Newcomer - Harry Costea in ‘Tzigane’ - Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards
1996 - Winner - Downstage Production of the Year - ‘Tzigane’ - Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards -
Accents - American Standard, Australian, Brooklyn, Cockney, East Coast American, West Coast American, English, French, German, Greek, Irish, Italian, Mid Western, New England , New Zealand, Russian, Scottish, South African, South Western, Spanish.
Stage Combat
Voice artist
Showreel
