David Weatherley (actor)


David John Weatherley was an English-born New Zealand actor and voice artist known for his role as Barliman Butterbur in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Life and career

Weatherley was born in London on 1 March 1939. He moved to Canada in 1956 for a military career, serving five years in the Canadian Army. Weatherley eventually moved to New Zealand in the early 1960s to engage in a theatre acting career, where he was best known for his long association with the Mercury Theatre, Auckland. He worked in all major genres including radio drama, theatre, television and film. He was perhaps best known outside New Zealand for his series regular role as Spencer in Power Rangers Operation Overdrive, which was filmed in New Zealand.
In 2016, he was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his services to the entertainment industry.
Weatherley died in Auckland on 12 December 2024, at the age of 85.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984Other HalvesJudge
1984Second Time LuckyBritish Officer
1984Death Warmed UpProfessor Tucker
1985Counter MeasuresKarl Heyden
1989Beyond GravityPlanetarium voice
1992My Grandpa Is a VampireSargent Dicky Ticker
1992The Girl Who Came LateLex Rubins
2001The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingBarliman Butterbur
2007Power Rangers Operation OverdriveSpencer, BengloTV series
2009Under the MountainDesk Sergeant