Jackie van Beek
Biography
Jackie van Beek is a New Zealand director, writer and actress who started out writing and producing plays in Wellington, where she was born and raised. She studied contemporary dance and linguistics, then moved to Auckland in 1999 to work in theater, and was later writer-in-residence for a year at Ohio Northern University. She began making short films after a move to Australia in 2006; her first feature, The Inland Road, was shown at the Berlin and Seattle international film festivals, and The Breaker Upperers (2018) followed as her second. She took the best supporting actress prize at the 2014 New Zealand Film Awards for What We Do in the Shadows (2014) and was named SPADA New Filmmaker of the Year in 2013. She also co-created and starred in the 2019 sitcom Educators and co-created an Australian version of The Office in 2024.
50years old
Turns 51 on May 10in 181 days
- Born Wellington
- Star sign: TaurusThe sign runs April 20 to May 20
Movie Career
- Films
- 3
- Career span
- 11 years2007 to 2018
Every film, newest first
- 2018The Breaker UpperersIMDb rating 5.9
- 2014What We Do in the ShadowsIMDb rating 7.6
- 2007Eagle vs SharkIMDb rating 6.7
Genres
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Early training
Van Beek trained in contemporary dance at the Wellington Performing Arts Centre. She went on to earn a linguistics degree from Victoria University of Wellington, graduating in 1998.
Behind the camera
In 1999 van Beek moved to Auckland, where she worked on theater productions. She also served as writer-in-residence at Ohio Northern University for a year.
A first
The Inland Road, van Beek's first feature film, was shown at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Seattle International Film Festival.
Behind the camera
Van Beek co-created the 2019 TV sitcom Educators with Jesse Griffin and Jonny Brugh, and also stars in the show.
Jackie van Beek movies on Netflix
The Breaker Upperersas Jen
What We Do in the Shadowsas Jackie
Eagle vs Sharkas Burger Staff
Most often with
Taika Waititi directed two of these films. Two actors appear in three of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.







Films together
Jemaine Clement3 films together, 2007 to 2018
Jemaine Clement's page The Breaker Upperers2018IMDb rating 5.9Beek as JenClement as Tinder Date
What We Do in the Shadows2014IMDb rating 7.6Beek as JackieClement as Vladislav
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffClement as Jarrod
Madeleine Sami3 films together, 2007 to 2018
Madeleine Sami's page The Breaker Upperers2018IMDb rating 5.9Beek as JenSami as Mel
What We Do in the Shadows2014IMDb rating 7.6Beek as JackieSami as Morana
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffSami as Burger Girl Customer
Taika Waititi2 films together, 2007 to 2014
Taika Waititi's page What We Do in the Shadows2014IMDb rating 7.6Beek as JackieWaititi as Viago
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffWaititi as Gordon
Cohen Holloway2 films together, 2007 to 2018
Cohen Holloway's page The Breaker Upperers2018IMDb rating 5.9Beek as JenHolloway as Joe
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffHolloway as Mason
Chelsie Preston Crayford2 films together, 2007 to 2014
Chelsie Preston Crayford's page What We Do in the Shadows2014IMDb rating 7.6Beek as JackieCrayford as Josephine
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffCrayford as Jenny
Gentiane Lupi2 films together, 2007 to 2018
Gentiane Lupi's page The Breaker Upperers2018IMDb rating 5.9Beek as JenLupi as Muay Thai Trainer
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger StaffLupi as Tracy
Taika WaititiDirector, 2 films, 2007 to 2014
All films by Taika Waititi What We Do in the Shadows2014IMDb rating 7.6Beek as Jackie
Eagle vs Shark2007IMDb rating 6.7Beek as Burger Staff
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| New Zealand film and television awards | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.
