History of Taika Waititi in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: July 1, 2025

Taika Waititi is a highly acclaimed New Zealand filmmaker, actor, and comedian known for his quirky comedic style. He's garnered significant recognition, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, and a Grammy Award. Waititi's influence extends beyond directing and acting, as he also works as a voice actor and producer on various projects. His widespread impact led to Time magazine naming him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1999: Billy T Award

In 1999, Taika Waititi, together with Jemaine Clement, won the Billy T Award.

2004: Release of "Two Cars, One Night"

In 2004, Taika Waititi released the short film "Two Cars, One Night".

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2005: Academy Award Nomination

In 2005, Taika Waititi received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film for the short film "Two Cars, One Night" (2004).

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2010: Meeting Chelsea Winstanley

In 2010, Taika Waititi met New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley.

2011: Marriage to Chelsea Winstanley

In 2011, Taika Waititi married New Zealand film producer Chelsea Winstanley; together, they have two daughters.

2014: Release of "What We Do in the Shadows" film

In 2014, the film "What We Do in the Shadows" was released, which later served as the basis for the television series of the same name written and produced by Taika Waititi since 2019.

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2018: Separation from Chelsea Winstanley

In 2018, Taika Waititi and Chelsea Winstanley separated.

2018: Executive Producer of "The Breaker Upperers"

In 2018, Taika Waititi was an executive producer of the New Zealand film "The Breaker Upperers", which was directed by a Māori filmmaker.

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2019: Awards for "Jojo Rabbit"

In 2019, Taika Waititi wrote and directed the comedy-drama film "Jojo Rabbit", earning him the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, the BAFTA Award for Best Adapted Screenplay, nominations for the Academy Award for Best Picture, the Golden Globe Award for Best Musical or Comedy Film, and the Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing in a Feature Film. He also won the Grammy Award for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media for the film's soundtrack.

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2019: Creation of "What We Do in the Shadows" TV series

Since 2019, Taika Waititi has written and produced the television series "What We Do in the Shadows", based on the 2014 film of the same name, for which he was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series and the Writers Guild of America Award for Best New Series.

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2020: Executive Producer of "Baby Done"

In 2020, Taika Waititi was an executive producer of the New Zealand film "Baby Done", which was directed by a Māori filmmaker.

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2020: Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit

In the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours, Taika Waititi was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to film.

2021: Relationship with Rita Ora

In 2021, Taika Waititi began a relationship with British singer Rita Ora.

2021: Executive Producer of "Night Raiders" and Support for Disney Animated Films

In 2021, Taika Waititi was an executive producer of the New Zealand film "Night Raiders", directed by an indigenous filmmaker. Also in 2021, his cousin Tweedie Waititi started producing and directing Māori language versions of Disney animated films due to Waititi, alongside his former partner Winstanley.

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2021: Executive Producer and Director for "The Auteur", Adapting "The Incal"

In 2021, Taika Waititi was announced as the executive producer and director for the Showtime limited series "The Auteur", starring Jude Law. Also in 2021, it was announced that Waititi would adapt "The Incal" into a feature film.

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