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BACK IN HOSPITAL

ACTOR MARTIN HENDERSON TALKS TO LEENA TAILOR ABOUT WHY HE ONCE WANTED TO GIVE UP TELEVISION WORK AND WHY HE REMAINS RESOLUTELY KIWI DESPITE HIS HOLLYWOOD SUCCESS

’m a bit ADD, in case you dream I had when I left New Zealand, but by my early acter, was out-loud in front of the writers, producers, haven’t noticed,” quips Martin 30s I realised that was not a sustainable way of life crew and cast. It was so nerve-wracking.” Henderson, flitting around his for me. There were times I’d be away from my dog In addition to having one of Hollywood’s most trailer on the Los Angeles set of or girlfriend and it’s just a shitty way to live. Always mighty television producers develop a character for Grey’s Anatomy. One minute he’s being away started to wear me down and as much as him, he was further delighted when asked to keep his asking whether he should grow I loved the jobs, I didn’t want work to take precedent Kiwi accent, confessing that mastering the American his hair back, while changing over my life. accent has been a career-long struggle. into his television scrubs; the “I realised I needed to go back on my idea of “Then I asked if I could do full-on Kiwi, like Flight next he’s cleaning the kitchen sink while contem- never doing TV.” of the Conchords, and they were like, ‘Maybe not… “Iplating the key to success, and the dwindling number Cue roles on Off The Map, Secrets & Lies, The we do want people to understand you’.” of summers he has left to learn how to kite-surf. Red Road and now popular medical drama, Grey’s Although Henderson had lunched with his His philosophical ponderings, sound-tracked by Anatomy. “lovely, wonderful and so candid” co-star Ellen UB40 and Bob Marley, are interrupted by a knock, His arrival caused controversy with fans still Pompeo prior to starting work, he was relieved to be signalling it’s time for makeup — much to the surprise reeling from the death of their beloved McDreamy welcomed with hugs and excitement from the rest of of a publicist, who observes he already looks like he’s (Patrick Dempsey), who exited the series last April. the tight-knit cast. been “through the works”. Upon Henderson’s casting he was immediately Called in a week early, his first day was a blur, but “No, wait till you see me in makeup — you’ll be so labelled “McDreamy’s replacement”, yet his role he does recall a brief flashback to Shortland Street’s impressed,” he laughs. Ferndale. Rewind two years and Henderson would have “It was a little surreal being in a hospital again,” felt eased to know such compliments lay ahead as he I DID HAVE A MOMENT, STANDING he grins. “I did have a moment, standing there as mused over his upcoming 40th birthday at a Tourism crew were setting up where I looked around and New Zealand event in Beverly Hills, confessing that THERE AS CREW WERE SETTING went, ‘Wow, I’m on a hospital set ... it’s the same the life of a Hollywood actor is inevitably accompa- thing, just thousands of miles away on the other side nied by looking in the mirror and “hoping you don’t UP WHERE I LOOKED AROUND of the Pacific. I’m doing the same thing!’” have new wrinkles.” Back then, he was a teen, quietly pursuing a Today, it’s clear he need not have worried. AND WENT, ‘WOW, I’M ON A passion most kids would have scoffed at, the seed of Ageing aside, after 15 years in Hollywood, which was planted on stage at Birkenhead Primary Henderson, 41, has risen above rejection, heartache, HOSPITAL SET ... IT’S THE SAME School. grief and, at times, becoming the subject of tabloid THING, JUST THOUSANDS OF fodder, to reach a professional peak which just saw HE WAS 10 years old and had just completed his first him grace the big screen in Everest, wrap playing MILES AWAY ON THE OTHER SIDE play, walking off stage on a high that would shape the Jennifer Garner’s husband in Miracles From Heaven rest of his life. and debut his biggest American television gig yet, as OF THE PACIFIC. I’M DOING THE “I remember lying in bed and I would never have hot new doctor, Nathan Riggs, on Grey’s Anatomy. admitted this to anyone because of the whole tall He’s living the dream — albeit one he didn’t realise SAME THING! Martin Henderson poppy thing — I was aware if I vocalised my dreams he had when he moved to LA at 25, visions of movie- there would be someone quick to tell me I couldn’t or making emblazoned on his mind. shouldn’t — but I had just done that play and thought, “When I came to America I never wanted to do was undeveloped when he took the job following a ‘Acting … that was fun!’ television again,” he admits, settling on to the couch. meeting with TV superpower Shonda Rhimes, who “Of course, as a little kid you go, ‘Hollywood!’ just “I grew up doing TV and it’s a compromise — there’s previously hired him for Off The Map. like a boy scoring his first try goes, ‘All Blacks!’ not enough time to rehearse to a point where you iron It wasn’t until his first table read that Henderson “Then in 4th form at Westlake [Boys’ High out all the problems, so you shoot from the hip and had any inkling of his character’s name or back- School], I had done my first TV show [Strangers], but hope for the best, but with film there was a chance to ground. [acting] wasn’t something that was encouraged. I was get into it, in a way I’d never experienced. “Shonda offered me the job and I thought, ‘Great trying to hide it. It was a rugby and rowing school, “Once I tasted that I went, ‘Right, I’m never doing show, shoots in LA, ticks all the boxes … Cool.’ so I focused on academics. The acting, I was almost TV again.’ And I was 25, so the idea of being tied down “I told my agent I was interested and he asked ashamed of.” to one job for more than six months gave me the what the role was. I was like, ‘You know what? She His former teacher, Louis Borok, admits that after creeps. I had opportunities and ran from them, fast. didn’t actually mention a role.’ Henderson ditched his French homework to audition “But after a few years, I was in a hotel room “So I called Shonda and said, ‘I’m honoured, for Shortland Street, he told him he was unlikely to in Vancouver doing Battle in Seattle with Charlize grateful and thinking about saying ‘Yes’, but have no make a career as an actor. “So much for my ability Theron, Ray Liotta and Woody Harrelson — great idea what I’m saying ‘Yes,’ to!’ to spot talent.” cast, lead role, subject matter I thought was politi- “She was like, ‘We’ll figure that out.’ But spurred on by encouragement from another

Picture / Getty Images Picture cally important and just a cool job. I was living the “The first time I read anything about my char- teacher and the unwavering support of his mum, 14 15

Veronica, Henderson, whose parents divorced when It’s not just the partying and glamour of Heaven daughters, and he is the proud uncle he was 5, clung to his acting dreams. Tinseltown that Henderson has actively avoided, but of three nephews, the eldest of whom he’s just He started on Shortland Street at 17 as Stuart fame in general. enjoyed introducing to Disneyland. Neilson, rapidly becoming a teen heart-throb He would rather be biking the Santa Monica However, he’s wary of pinning his future hopes on — gracing magazine covers, bedroom walls and expe- mountains than cruising red carpets and he’s parenthood. “I’ve always wanted kids, but I never felt riencing a level of fandom these days reserved more more often found surfing in Malibu than posting ready. I wasn’t mature enough to have them earlier. It for pop stars. selfies on Instagram. would’ve felt more of a burden, whereas today I’m at “I remember driving him somewhere in the early If his media presence has been intensified by an age where spending time with kids or my nephews days and as we parked, a hoard of screaming teenage Grey’s, he’s unfazed. is wonderful. girls began banging on the windows,” recalls Michele “I experienced fame, albeit on a smaller scale, in “But I’m not going to rush out and do it for the Priest, Shortland Street’s head of assistant directors. New Zealand when I was still forming my identity. I sake of it. I don’t think having a family is the answer “It was unlike anything anyone had ever seen in New was 17, on magazine covers and people would write to anything, but more a complement to life. I’d rather Zealand. He handled it incredibly well, but it was stuff about me. I felt pressure to embody what others find the right woman first, but life’s funny — I might surreal seeing him mobbed. It was then that many of were thinking and after a while that felt unsustainable find someone and they can’t have kids. us knew he was set for very big things.” and unhealthy. “So I don’t want to get hung up on the idea It wasn’t just his star power that was evident in “I felt that part of it was bullshit — the celebrity because then if I met someone who couldn’t, I’d feel the early days. culture. People love to read about who’s hooking up like I was being denied something.” Longtime Shortland Street actor Michael with who and a lot of the time it’s nonsense. In a town where headlines centre on the latest Galvin (Chris Warner) recalls being captivated “By the time I moved to America I knew I didn’t showbiz break-ups, Henderson’s also cautious of by his co-star’s talent. “I remember watching want to get embroiled in all that, because then you’re the type of woman he will consider dating. early episodes to critique my performance and living through other people’s eyes. When you have Right now, that means no actresses. being completely preoccupied by Martin’s scenes. fame, people drag you down and think you’re shit “There’s an actress I was keen on,” he shares. Given how self-absorbed actors are meant to be, the or build you up and think you’re incredible and the “But do you really want to marry someone who’s fact that I was distracted from watching my work by truth is neither, so I don’t ever want to get invested in doing the exact same thing you do? a teenager’s performance made me realise he had anyone else’s opinion.” “If you marry someone and love them, you something special in terms of talent.” support whatever they want to do with their life. That After three years, Henderson headed to Australia, IT’S CURIOUSLY ironic that perhaps the least fame- means I would have a vested interest in having my where he starred on Home and Away and Sweat, MARTIN HENDERSON Devastated, he left LA, unsure if he would return. So sweet and very generous.” hungry Kiwi actor in Hollywood has found himself in wife constantly leave me. befriending co-star Heath Ledger who would later RETURNS TO THE “There was a while after Heath passed away that It’s not just on Grey’s that Henderson quickly the most memorable tabloid headlines. “I don’t want to be questioning whether I want join him in Sydney before the pair tackled Hollywood SCREEN IN GREY’S I went home for a bit. I did a film in Sydney, a play in made his mark. Whether it’s his third form French In 2004 it was him getting hot and heavy with my wife to be successful. That stuff comes up so often together. ANATOMY. Melbourne, then a film in New Zealand, but I was just teacher Joan Farrell — who remembers him as “a Britney Spears, recently it was reported he was when two actors are married. You get professional Henderson went via New York, studying at The questioning it all because we came over here together focused, nice, well-balanced young man,” — or his consoling Jennifer Garner following her marriage jealousies or insecurities unless you’re both working, Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, then and it was like, ‘Yeah! Hollywood!’ co-stars, the Kiwi charismatically leaves a trail of good split and who can forget that time he was splashed but if you’re both working you’re not going to see landing in LA. “So after that I was like, ‘Man, what’s it all about?’ impressions. across global media labelled as Demi Moore’s “new, each other and the relationship will struggle, then if His first year was gruelling. Friends were scarce, I stepped back from my career and wasn’t terribly “He’s just such a sweet man, really committed younger man”? you throw kids into that… he felt like a “charity case” couch-surfing his way interested in it. and always upbeat,” says Everest’s Jake Gyllenhaal. “Someone sent me an email with an article when “I’m not saying I won’t ever marry an actress, but around town. He had to accept money from Ledger “But eventually I started getting back on track “Any time an actor talks about another actor I feel we were photographed leaving a general store in in this case I did go, ‘I’m not going to date that girl to survive and his professional life was a stream of with what I wanted — that aspiration I had from a like I’m on The Howard Stern Show, going, ‘He pisses Connecticut with some cheese that we were taking because ultimately that’s not what I want.’ I think you rejection. young age. I always had that dream of, ‘If I’m going to lemonade and shits rainbows! He’s the best!’ But the back to a friend’s house for lunch,” he recalls. “I was have to broaden your sights and cast a wide net for Countless times he questioned his talent and act, Hollywood is what I want to do,’ so it was about thing is, I really do like him.” like, ‘Oh God, I can see how this is going to become women from all walks of life and continents.” inched towards hopping on a plane home, where dad honouring that and realising that to not commit and We meet again three days later at a French cafe someone else’s idea of something.’ In the meantime, he’s the “happiest I’ve ever Ian lovingly reminded him he could continue acting follow through would be betraying myself. in Miracle Mile. He arrives late, checks the time “But I didn’t see another image. I would hear been” and relishing a job that allows him to go home with ease. “And after that loss it was important to spend time before deciding what strength coffee to order (a snippets of people’s opinions, but I never read every night, but still grants the opportunity to make “All the rejection, heartache, disappointment and back home. I love home and when I’m there I just feel cortado), puts his phone in his pocket then chats anything or saw an image and that’s what I mean films in his hiatus. near-misses bring the inevitable questioning of, ‘Why good. I needed to reconnect and be around family.” away, graciously ignoring the fact he’s 30 minutes about not wanting to get invested in other people’s He misses New Zealand deeply, but heads back haven’t I got a job yet? Maybe I’m only good in New behind for his next meeting. take on stuff. I never want to be influenced by frequently, cherishing every moment, “even if my Zealand?’ Like his close friend Ledger, Henderson, too, someone’s opinion, positive or negative.” sister and I are fighting constantly, like we have since “Your self-doubt starts to erode your confidence, could have once fallen prey to the dangerous side of So, did he date her? we were kids”. then you question your dreams. That’s the hardest GIVEN HOW SELF-ABSORBED showbiz. “Demi? No, no, no! But what happens is you And while farewelling family leaves him “slightly thing — finding self-belief in the face of all the rejection He “loved alcohol a great deal … too much” and, deny it and they go, ‘Martin insists they’re just depressed” during his first week back Stateside, and holding on to what you know you’re capable of. ACTORS ARE MEANT TO BE, THE at 23, recalls a teacher he greatly respected declaring friends,’ and that becomes fuel to create speculation his Kiwi ties remain strong, hanging with fellow “It’s tricky because you don’t want to get resentful FACT THAT I WAS DISTRACTED he had a beautiful life ahead if he worked hard … and that it’s now a clandestine relationship. Now it’s a acting expats like Kieren Hutchison and Cliff Curtis, and have a ‘f*** you’ attitude. The demands that stopped drinking. story that we’re sneaking around. watching every All Blacks game, helping other Kiwi puts on your personal development is the most FROM WATCHING MY WORK BY A It wasn’t the first time he’d been called out on his “So if I say ‘Yes,’ I confirm a lie and if I say ‘No,’ it actors transition to LA — and once moving into a challenging thing — finding the humility to go, ‘I’m not “excessive” boozing, but her words stuck and eventu- creates a lie as well.” house because it had a feijoa tree. going to take it personally,’ then staying committed to TEENAGER’S PERFORMANCE MADE ally, at 27, Henderson quit alcohol. He shrugs off whether such experiences make “I love America and I’m grateful for everything doing classes, working hard and remembering why “I did party a bit when I first came to LA, which is him more wary of who he’s seen out-and-about with, it’s given me. I love my life and friends here and I’m you’re there.” ME REALISE HE HAD SOMETHING its own trap. The celebrity and Hollywood culture is a or if his awareness of public attention was heightened making a really good home. Refusing to succumb to the Hollywood hurdles whole world that becomes all-consuming. You see lots while filming Miracles From Heaven with Garner. “But nothing beats that feeling when I’m home that frequently churn through actors and spit them SPECIAL IN TERMS OF TALENT. of people get here and think that’s what it’s all about. “I just live my life. Jennifer and I hung out a bit — whether it’s turning on the news or a talk show back to their homelands, Henderson persevered and Michael Galvin “People think if you’re at the right party or in the and I think someone saw us at dinner and there was a and going, ‘Yeah … there’s my people.’ landed roles in The Ring, Torque, Bride and Prejudice right circle that’s an avenue to something, but I’ve thing about, ‘They’re having dinner!’ “The smell of the New Zealand bush and the and Britney Spears’ saucy Toxic video. Another knock summons Henderson to never seen it as anything other than a distraction. “But I made a conscious effort not to read anything sound of the Waitakeres — it’s in my blood and Smokin’ Aces, Little Fish and Battle in Seattle rehearsals, after which he’s whisked to the Operating I’ve consciously gone, ‘I don’t want anything to do because there was a huge amount of tabloid energy that connection is something I will always have followed. Room to practise his next surgical procedure, intense with that.’ circling around her relationship with Ben [Affleck] because I need it. I need it in a sense of, that’s when I It was around this time that the demands of concentration sweeping over his face. “I love my work, but I’ve always tried to keep my and I didn’t want to bring that into my working rela- feel like who I really am.” C hopscotching between film sets started to weigh on In between takes, the Grey’s cast light up at life similar to how it would be back home — sailing, tionship with her.” FROM TOP, HENDERSON (far right) WITH MICHAEL GALVIN, CRAIG PARKER AND Henderson and as he mulled over his future came mention of “McKiwi”. hiking, cooking, my dog, my friends. This world is so Contrary to those romantic headlines, Henderson TEMUERA MORRISON IN SHORTLAND STREET’S EARLY DAYS; IN SECRETS & THE LATEST SEASON OF GREY'S ANATOMY IS the biggest jolt — the shattering news that Ledger had “He’s a peach!” says Caterina Scorsone (Amelia abnormal that, in a way, it’s not reality and it’s impor- is single. He’d love to get married and become a LIES AND OFF THE MAP. CURRENTLY SHOWING ON TVNZ ONDEMAND AND passed away, due to an accidental overdose. Shepherd). “He’s been a great addition to the show. tant not to get caught up in it.” father, having been smitten with his Miracles From WILL ALSO AIR ON TV2 LATER THIS YEAR.