Born as Clifford Vivian Devon Curtis, Cliff Curtis is a New Zealand actor, who first faced the camera in a New Zealand film The Piano (1993), followed by Desperate Remedies (1993), and Once Were Warriors (1994). After making his Hollywood debut in Blow (2001), he earned prominence for his role as Paikea's father Porourangi, in Whale Rider (2002).

Known for playing a range of different roles and ethnicities in films, the actor's notable film credits include Live Free or Die Hard (2007), and The Dark Horse (2014), which won him the Asia Pacific Screen Awards for Best Performance. His other projects include Risen (2016) and The Meg (2018). Meanwhile, he has also appeared on television series like Trauma (2009-2010), Body of Proof (2011), Missing (2012), and Fear the Walking Dead (2015-2017).

In addition, Curtis is co-owner of the independent New Zealand production company Whenua Films. He has produced films like Boy (2007), Great Expectations (2012), and The Dark Horse (2014).