Karen O'Leary

Karen O'Leary
Notable works and rolesWellington Paranormal
Websitehttps://olearious.co.nz/

Karen O'Leary is a New Zealand early childhood teacher, comedian and actress. She played Officer O'Leary in Wellington Paranormal, which ran for four seasons from 2018–2022.[1][2]

Early life

O'Leary grew up in Miramar, Wellington and attended Wellington High School and Victoria University.[1][2] She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and is an early childhood teacher in Wellington.[3] She got involved in acting when casting director Tina Cleary, the parent of one of the children at the centre, encouraged her to audition for a part in the 2014 film What We Do in the Shadows.[4]

Career

O'Leary played Officer O'Leary in the film What We Do in the Shadows and continued the same role in the spin-off television series Wellington Paranormal.

In 2018, O'Leary appeared in the comedy film The Breaker Upperers.[5]

In 2020, O'Leary presented educational activities on Home Learning TV, a dedicated New Zealand television channel for children learning at home due to school closures during the national lockdown to control the COVID-19 pandemic.[6]

In 2023, O'Leary appeared on the panel show Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee. She appeared in series 4 of Taskmaster NZ.

Personal life

O'Leary lives in Wellington with her son Melvyn and her partner, Eilish Wilson.[7]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2018 The Water Cooler Karen 3 episodes
2018 Educators Police Officer Episode 1.8
2018–2022 Wellington Paranormal Officer O'Leary Main role
2020–2023 The Eggplant Principal Kathleen Morris 13 episodes
2023 Bouncers Marty; Barbs 5 episodes
2023 Far North Justine 2 episodes
2024 Time Bandits Stomachface 7 episodes

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2014 What We Do in the Shadows Policewoman
2016 Pot Luck Donna
2018 The Breaker Upperers Police Officer
2021 Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle Guest Judge
2021 Millie Lies Low Campus Security
2021 Finding the Lighthouse Charlie Short
2022 Nude Tuesday Chen
2023 Red, White and Brass Lorraine

References

  1. ^ a b "The most interesting woman on NZ TV: Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary". The Spinoff. 16 October 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  2. ^ a b Jacobson, Julie. "At Home With Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary and Her Wild Wellington Family". Now To Love. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  3. ^ "Karen O'Leary". wgtn.ac.nz. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  4. ^ "National portrait: Karen O'Leary – Paranormal but very normal". Stuff. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  5. ^ "Wellington Paranormal's reluctant star". Stuff. 25 July 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  6. ^ "Home Learning TV". tvnz.co.nz. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
  7. ^ "Wilosophy" (Podcast). 4 July 2021. Retrieved 4 July 2021.[permanent dead link‍]