{{Short description|New Zealand actor}} {{EngvarB|date=November 2015}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2015}} {{Infobox person | name = Karl Burnett | image = <!-- just the filename, without the File: or Image: prefix or enclosing brackets --> | alt = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1976|02|27}} | birth_place = New Zealand | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|Month DD, YYYY|Month DD, YYYY}} (death date then birth date) --> | death_place = | nationality = | other_names = | occupation = Actor, director, writer, video game-maker. | known_for = Nick Harrison in ''Shortland Street'' }}

'''Karl Burnett''' (born 27 February 1976) is a New Zealand actor best known for his portrayal of Nick Harrison on the long-running New Zealand soap opera, ''Shortland Street''.

==Biography== Burnett was 16 years old when offered the role of Nick Harrison on ''Shortland Street'' in 1992. The then Massey High School student had little acting experience, other than high-school drama classes, though after six years of starring on Shortland Street he had a part in the 1998 film ''When Love Comes''.<ref name=burnett>{{cite web|title=Karl Burnett|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_story_skin/423363?format=html|work=tvnz.co.nz|publisher=Television New Zealand|year=2005|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110518231240/http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_story_skin/423363?format=html|archivedate=18 May 2011}}</ref> He played the role of Nick Harrison from the show's second episode in 1992 until the character's departure in 2005, making Nick Harrison the original character to stay with the show the longest. Nick Harrison was originally intended as a drug-taking rebel,<ref name=road>{{cite web|title=Shorty road to success|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/3728697/Shorty-road-to-success|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121220162231/http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/tv/3728697/Shorty-road-to-success|url-status=dead|archive-date=2012-12-20|work=Stuff |date=May 2010|accessdate=17 July 2013|author=Bennett, Cath}}</ref> but after Burnett was cast, the role was developed into a more comedic and clumsy character.<ref name=burnett/><ref name=road/> In 2005, after 13 years on the show, the character of Nick was axed by producers.

Later in 2005, Burnett appeared in TV3's celebrity singing competition ''Sing Like a Superstar''.<ref>{{cite web|title=TV3's Sing Like a Superstar Show – Mon 7 November|url=http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=38128618|publisher=Trade Me|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref> Burnett went on to work as a boom operator on ''Shortland Street'' and a freelance sound recordist.

In 2008 Burnett appeared on the weight-loss reality show ''Downsize Me''. He initially weighed 120&nbsp;kg, losing 20&nbsp;kg over the course of the programme.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fighting flab on TV|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10528630|publisher=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=17 July 2013|date=24 August 2008}}</ref> That year he also published a comedy novella ''The Bible II: This Way Up – Rick the Chosen One''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Bible II: This Way Up – Rick the Chosen One|date=16 August 2008 |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Bible-II-Chosen-ebook/dp/B0036VOBVY|publisher=Amazon|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref>

In 2010 he released the independent film ''Captain Amazingly Incredible and the Space Vampires from the Evil Planet!!!'', which he wrote, directed, and starred in.<ref>{{cite web|title=Captain Amazingly Incredible and the Space Vampires from the Evil Planet!!!|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1648175/|publisher=IMDB|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref> The film was self-described as "the lowest selling movie in the history of ... the [film's] distributor."<ref>{{cite web|title=CAI is officially the lowest selling movie in the history of Arkles Entertainment (the distributor)!|url=https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=146170642093206&id=117575588265087|work=Captain Amazingly Incredible and the Space Vampires from the Evil Planet!!!|publisher=Facebook|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref>

Burnett has also released several video games for mobile platforms, including Get Gravel!, Codestorm, Project Downforce and Max Vector: Resolution.<ref>{{cite web|title=Max Vector|url=http://www.polygame.co.nz/?page_id=14|publisher=Polygame|accessdate=16 July 2013|archive-date=6 March 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306033956/http://www.polygame.co.nz/?page_id=14|url-status=dead}}</ref> Having previously studied interactive videogame development at Media Design School in Auckland, Burnett won the 2011 Sidhe Elite scholarship award.

Burnett now works as a creative director in advertising.<ref>{{cite web|title=Elite Scholarship Win For Karl Burnett|url=http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/ED1103/S00083/elite-scholarship-win-for-karl-burnett.htm|publisher=Scoop|accessdate=17 July 2013}}</ref>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{IMDb name|0122389}} * [http://tvnz.co.nz/view/tv2_story_skin/423363?format=html Karl Burnett TVNZ profile] * [http://www.nzonscreen.com/person/karl-burnett Karl Burnett at NZ On Screen]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Burnett, Karl}} Category:New Zealand male television actors Category:1976 births Category:Living people Category:People educated at Massey High School Category:New Zealand male soap opera actors Category:20th-century New Zealand male actors Category:21st-century New Zealand male actors