Jak Wyld

Hailing from the quaint Derbyshire Dales village of Winster, in England, Jak Wyld emigrated to New Zealand when he was thirteen. Throughout his school years at Te Awamutu High School, in New Zealand's north island, Jak showed a passion for the performing arts. He participated in his local Sunday School productions, every school play and was even part of a comedy troupe, that regularly performed at his schools' assembly. Growing up, Jak relished in staying active. He studied martial arts throughout high school, played soccer and took to weight training. To earn 'pocket money', Jak decided to discover New Zealand's great outdoors and learn a multitude of jobs and skills including; picking up hay, milking cows and working at a variety of produce farms on his Saturday's and after-school. On graduating high school, Jak enlisted in the New Zealand Military, deployed all over the world, serving as an aircraft engineer. During his time in the military Jak was stationed to work as tsunami relief in Papua New Guinea, had traveled to Antarctica and was a qualified Boeing engine runner out of Denver, Colorado. After several years of service Jak embarked on his next mission, to follow his passion and become a professional actor. After a short while, Jak began to gain momentum as an actor. He moved to Sydney, Australia in 2002 where he starred in many popular TV shows including the country's top two dramas 'A Place To Call Home' and 'All-Saints'. He also appeared in the docu-drama 'Australia: The Story of Us' and in 2012 made his debut leading role in Stephen Amis's award-winning classic sci-fi action film 'The 25th Reich'. His latest feature-film 'Arrowhead', directed by Jesse O'Brien, filmed at various locations in Australia and is set to be released internationally early 2016. Although based in Australia, Jak is frequently cast to work in New Zealand. He can currently be seen in the long running, multi-award winning TV soap 'Shortland Street' in the pivotal recurring role of Detective Inspector Derek Foster. During his working life Jak has been extensively trained, and held a professional license, in firefighting, oil spill recovery, boating and operating industrial boilers. His military training has given him proficient skills in drill, weapons, survival and military decorum. Jak also has experience, and certificates, in stage combat and on-set weaponry. Over the last few years Jak has honed his acting craft by studying with many of Australia's esteemed casting directors, at the prestigious National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA) and Margie Haber's International Studies Program in Los Angeles, California. When not traveling for filming between Australia and New Zealand, Jak spends time staying active either in the gym or hiking Sydney's scenic Blue Mountain. Jak is an advocate for animal rights and the environment we live in today.