Ben Mitchell

Ben Mitchell (born 7 July 1980) is a New Zealand actor who played the orc, Narzug in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013). He is best known for his role as Dr. TK Samuels in the soap opera Shortland Street (1992). He attended secondary school at St Johns College, Hamilton, New Zealand. He also won Mr New Zealand in 1999. He moved to Auckland in 2000 to pursue an acting career. He has acted in shows like The Strip, Power Rangers and Outrageous Fortune. He was once a personal trainer, and is a fluent Te Reo speaker who is passionate about his work and cultural beliefs. Mitchell is incredibly anti-smoking and unafraid to speak out about it. At the start of 2006, Mitchell joined the cast of Shortland Street as young doctor TK Samuels. One of "Shortland Street's most recognizable faces," Mitchell has "gained him great popularity throughout New Zealand, especially with female viewers." Mitchell has been known for his support of the Ponsonby Hero parade [now Hero Festival] featuring in the parade from 2001-03 and also dancing at the Salvation Hero party in support of HIV charities. His daughter Mila Rose Amaia Mitchell was born June 2009. His second daughter, Sophia Grace was born in 2010.