Cliff Curtis was born in Rotorua, New Zealand, on July 27, 1968. He is of New Zealand Maori descent .
Though hes Maori, hes only played a Maori in a couple of movies, including Whale Rider. He has been cast as many other dark-skinned ethnicities, having played, among others, Mexican-Americans, Colombians, Arabs, Persians, and Chechens.
Almost missed his flight from Auckland, New Zealand, to Los Angeles en route to Mexico to film Blow .
While filming Whale Rider he would approach Rawiri Paratene in the mornings and annoy him in order to keep them both in character.
Is in two separate films entitled "Fracture," playing a detective in both.
Filmed his part as Pablo Escobar in Blow in just three days.
Is one of nine children.
Member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences since 2016.
