Michael Galvin

Michael Galvin is a New Zealand actor, singer and playwright, well known for his role as Dr. Chris Warner on the soap opera Shortland Street, a character he has played almost since the show's debut in 1992 until 1996 and again from 2000 to present, and remains as of 2020, the only original cast member. He is the longest serving television soap opera actor in New Zealand.

Michael Galvin
Galvin in Fiji filming Shortland Street, 2014
Born1967 (age 53–54)
New Zealand
OccupationTelevision actor
Spouse(s)Melissa Dines
Children1

Early life

Galvin attended and graduated both Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School.[1]

Career

Shortland Street

In 1992 Galvin, a theatre actor at the time, auditioned for a role as Chris Warner in the upcoming Television New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street alongside his flatmate Marton Csokas.[2] Galvin won the role, with Csokas later going on to play Leonard Dodds. Galvin predicted the show would only last 12 months.[3] Galvin portrayed Chris for four years, with the character picking up the nickname "Dr. Love" for the numerous love affairs he participated in. Galvin soon grew sick of portraying Chris, being quoted as saying "after four years on Shortland Street there was so much of me in Dr Warner I wasn't sure where he ended and I began."[4] He quit and went travelling to seek further job opportunities.

Overseas and return to Shortland Street

During this time, he had roles in the television productions Highwater and Coverstory, and feature film The Climb, which starred John Hurt. Galvin was asked to return to Shortland Street in 2000 following a revamp of the show. He returned in the season final much to the delight on his fans. Since returning, Galvin has written many plays including the successful "Station to Station" and in 2007 Galvin was recognised as an outstanding emerging playwright, winning New Zealand's most significant national theatre award, the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award.[5]

In October 2019 he was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.

Personal life

Galvin is married to Melissa Galvin with whom he shares a daughter named Lily. The couple married in 2004, but separated 5 years later.[6] He was introduced to Melissa through on screen girlfriend Angela Bloomfield (Rachel McKenna).

Filmography
Film
Year Film Role Other notes
1989 Ray Bradbury Theatre Runner TV series
1990 Shark in the Park Alistair TV series
Neighbourhood Watch Dennis TV series
Safe Sex Simon TV series
1991 Coverstory Mark Churchill TV series
1992 Highwater Jeremy TV series
Charity Queens Jonty TV series
1992–1996
2000–present		 Shortland Street Dr. Chris Warner TV series
Nominated – Qantas TV and Film awards 2008 Best Actor
1997 Highwater Jeremy TV movie
1998 The Climb Father Cronin
2001 What Now! 20th Birthday Special Himself TV series
2002 Strassman Himself TV series
2007 The Devil Dared Me To Good Looking Actor

References
  1. "Michael Galvin". Playmarket. Retrieved 3 March 2017.
  2. "Star likes Dr Warners medicine". Stuff. May 2010.
  3. "Shortie's old enough to vote". The New Zealand Herald. May 2010.
  4. "Peter Feeney on Michael Galvin". January 2011.
  5. "Shortland Street star picks up national playwriting award" Archived 1 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine, thebigidea.co.nz
  6. "Michael Galvin: the man behind Chris Warner". New Idea. Yahoo! New Zealand. 22 May 2012.
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