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Celebrity Ambassador
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Renato Bartolomei
Renato has been a supporter of Cure Kids for some time. Last year at the Qantas Media Awards he hosted Cure Kids Ambassador Cherokee Sagasagi, who has inoperable brain tumor. Taking Cherokee, under his wing, he introduced her to all of the stars their that evening and then extended a personal invitation to her to go and watch him at work – a treat she is still talking about!
Cure Kids is delighted to have Renato join them this weekend.
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| Australian-born Renato Bartolomei was well known to New Zealand audiences for his role as Kieren Masefield in South Pacific Pictures’ acclaimed drama series Mercy Peak when he joined Shortland Street to play solo dad and Head of the Emergency Department Craig Valentine, now one of the show’s most popular characters. The son of an Italian Australian chef and a New Zealand actress, Renato credits his mother for his reluctance to consider acting as a career. He completed a BSC in psychology, travelled extensively and worked in the hospitality industry for several years, eventually opening a restaurant with his father. Then he was spotted by the casting director of a commercial, signed with an agent and got his first major acting job; a lead role in the Australian soap Family and Friends. |
Renato discovered he loved telling stories on screen as an actor - and that he was also interested in becoming a director. He attended Film School in Victoria for three years, graduating with a Bachelor of Film and Television and gained experience directing short films, music clips and corporate videos. At the same time, he was assembling an impressive list of acting credits, including the popular television series Flying Doctors, Blue Heelers, Water Rats and Halifax f.p. He came to New Zealand to play Beowulf in Pacific Renaissance Pictures’ Xena – Warrior Princess, and was subsequently cast as one of the leads of Mercy Peak. After three years on the show, New Zealand had become home to Renato and his partner. They now own a lifestyle block complete with chickens. Renato also occassionally takes time off from acting on SHORTLAND STREET to direct a blocks of the top rating drama. Future goals include directing a film and continuing to indulge his passions for food, wine and travel. |
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