Jemaine Clement

Jemaine Clement is a New Zealand actor, comedian, musician, and filmmaker. He first found international fame as one half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, alongside Bret McKenzie. The pair created the HBO series of the same name, which ran from 2007 to 2009 and earned Clement six Primetime Emmy nominations.

His film career spans over 50 credits, including live-action roles in Eagle vs Shark, Men in Black 3, The BFG, and Avatar: The Way of Water, plus voice work in Rio, Moana, and The Lego Batman Movie. He co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in the cult classic What We Do in the Shadows, which spawned a long-running FX series. As of 2026, Clement stars in the Disney+/Hulu comedy Alice and Steve and has reunited with Flight of the Conchords for live performances. [edit]

Jemaine Clement grew up in Masterton, a small town in New Zealand's Wairarapa region. He was the oldest of three brothers and attended Makoura College. His mother is of Māori descent, a heritage that has shaped his identity and later his creative work.

At Victoria University of Wellington, he met Bret McKenzie. The two began performing musical comedy together, honing their act at small comedy venues around Wellington. They eventually took their show to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where their blend of deadpan humor and catchy songs caught attention. In 2005, they won the Perrier Comedy Award, a breakthrough that opened doors to international recognition and paved the way for their HBO series. [edit]

Clement's breakthrough came with the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, which aired from 2007 to 2009. The show earned him six Primetime Emmy nominations and led to two successful albums: Flight of the Conchords (2008) and I Told You I Was Freaky (2009).

He made his feature film debut in Taika Waititi's Eagle vs Shark (2007), beginning a fruitful collaboration. In 2014, he co-wrote, co-directed, and starred in What We Do in the Shadows, a mockumentary horror-comedy that became a cult hit and spawned an FX series running from 2019 to 2024. His voice roles include Tamatoa in Moana (2016) and characters in The Lego Batman Movie (2017) and Thelma the Unicorn (2024). He appeared in Avatar: The Way of Water (2022) and created the Māori-language animated series Kiri and Lou.

In 2026, he stars in the Disney+/Hulu series Alice and Steve alongside Nicola Walker. After years of declining reunion offers, he and Bret McKenzie agreed to reunite for Flight of the Conchords performances in 2026. He also has the animated film Wildwood scheduled for release that year. [edit]

Clement's public persona is defined by deadpan delivery and a talent for playing awkward, slightly menacing characters. His comedy often embraces absurdity with understated timing. Media portrayals highlight his versatility across music, television, and film. His fandom overlaps heavily with fans of Flight of the Conchords and What We Do in the Shadows. On social media, his posts are characteristically dry and understated. [edit]

Jemaine Clement commands a global footprint that registers across music, comedy, and cinema with consistent precision. According to the iFANN Global Fame Rankings, he is currently the 53rd most famous person in Country, a position holding steady from the previous cycle. This placement reflects his sustained visibility following major roles in blockbuster franchises and the enduring legacy of his work with Flight of the Conchords. While his international profile spans multiple disciplines, the specific metrics of his fame remain anchored in these verified industry standings. The fanbase surrounding Clement does not operate under a formal, singular name; observers generally refer to supporters as Conchords fans or simply followers of his individual projects. Unlike pop phenomena defined by organized campaigns or ritualistic gatherings, engagement with Clement remains characterized by appreciation for his distinct deadpan delivery and the cult status of his filmography. There are no documented large-scale fan initiatives, charity drives, or branded social media movements exclusive to him, though his audience frequently participates in standard birthday tributes on social platforms. The cultural narrative around his return to live performance further cements his standing, where audiences celebrated the chaotic authenticity of the reunion rather than seeking scripted spectacle.[edit]

Jemaine Clement maintains over 1.6 million monthly listeners on Spotify and stands as the oldest of three brothers. He has noted that acting presents fewer challenges than writing, observing that 'with acting, only the first day is' difficult. As one of the most prominent Māori figures in international comedy, he demonstrates a commitment to indigenous storytelling through his work on Kiri and Lou. A widely retold story among his admirers concerns the reunion of Flight of the Conchords, described by critics as a chaotic and joyous event where even the inevitable mistakes were embraced as part of the performance art. Reviews from this period highlighted how the duo's imperfections soared, turning what could have been a disaster into a celebrated artistic statement that resonated deeply with long-time fans. This acceptance of messiness became a defining element of their modern legend, distinguishing their comeback from typical nostalgia tours. The group's history includes Grammy Award-winning status and extensive international touring, yet the recent shows remain a focal point of contemporary lore. Fans continue to discuss the unique blend of mundane New Zealand life and bizarre situations found in their characters, creating a shared language that persists years after the original HBO series concluded.[edit]

Clement is married to actress Miranda Manasiadis, who is of Greek and Māori descent. The couple has children, though they keep details about their family private. They live a low-key life away from the tabloid spotlight. Clement's Māori heritage, passed down from his mother, plays an important role in his personal and professional identity. [edit]

Clement's most significant professional associations include Bret McKenzie, his Flight of the Conchords partner; Taika Waititi, frequent collaborator and co-director on What We Do in the Shadows; and Nicola Walker, his co-star in Alice and Steve. His work with Waititi has produced Eagle vs Shark and What We Do in the Shadows. [edit]

Clement's most documented relationship is with actress Miranda Manasiadis, whom he married in the early 2000s. Manasiadis is of Greek and Māori descent and has appeared in New Zealand theatre and television. The couple has children together. Their marriage has remained stable and private, away from tabloid attention. As of 2026, Clement is married to Manasiadis. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Jemaine Clement's net worth is estimated at $12 Million as of 2026. His financial standing derives from a diversified career encompassing film, television, music, and voice acting. Significant contributions to his wealth include major blockbuster roles in Avatar: The Way of Water and Moana, alongside the long-running success of the FX series What We Do in the Shadows. Income streams from his musical partnership with Flight of the Conchords, including album sales and touring revenue, provide additional stability. Recent ventures such as Alice and Steve and the 2026 reunion performances have further bolstered his earnings potential. The figure represents a cumulative assessment of his professional activities across these varied sectors.[edit]

Clement's awards are largely tied to Flight of the Conchords and his collaborative projects. He won the Perrier Comedy Award in 2005 with Bret McKenzie. While he received six Primetime Emmy nominations for the HBO series, he did not win. His individual accolades are less documented, but his work on What We Do in the Shadows has earned critical acclaim and cult status. [edit]