Jordan Mooney has worked prolifically across New Zealand's stage, film, and television industries for the past 15 years. His performances have earned him New Zealand Television Award nominations for Best Actor (Why Does Love) and Best Supporting Actor (The Panthers). His theatre work includes a diverse range of productions such as Anne Boleyn, The Heretic, Lord of the Flies, Enlightenment, Once Upon Chunuk Bair, and Peer Gynt. Other highlights include performing in Earnest with Fractious Tash and Hudson & Halls in his home town of Hamilton.

On screen, Mooney portrayed Eric Grady for six seasons in the critically acclaimed series Westside, the prequel to Outrageous Fortune. He starred in The Panthers, exploring the Polynesian Panther movement in 1970s New Zealand, and brought music legend Jordan Luck to life in The Exponents: Why Does Love. His screen credits span over dozens of local and international productions.

He dispenses tips he'd give his younger self, based on what he's learned during his career.

Funnily enough… When I was 22, Ben (Kilby-Henson) and I did our first play together! And here we are today. Doing it again. 

So remember… the industry is smaller than it seems. Treat every connection with genuine respect and curiosity. The people you meet now might become your most trusted collaborators. 

You’re doing the right thing, not getting a ‘real job’

These endless days busking as a human statue will come in handy. Embrace all of that discipline, humility, joy, and patience that you’re learning. Keep being present, finding stillness in chaos. These skills will serve you well.

You didn’t study, and that’s great. Paving your own way comes with a myriad of lessons. But be intentional with skill-building. Take classes, work with coaches, and study actors you admire. Don't just hope to get better through osmosis.

Whether you like it or not, money matters

Make sure you’re saving some money - it’ll be handy between jobs. And try not to feel like Mr. Mega when you do get paid; look at your earnings over the year, not just the money you get in a given week. 

Become more financially literate: get GST registered, tally your work expenses, have separate bank accounts. At 22, the administrative side of creative work probably feels boring, but 'future you' will be grateful for the systems.

Read more

It’s the perfect you time. And you time is hard to come by. Be disciplined about it. There is no way you’re going to look back and say, “Oh man! I wish I hadn’t read that book…”

Learn to value being alone, sit in your own imagination or even better… I dare you to meditate… Nah, that’s probably too much - so for now, just read more. 

(Also, reading leads to more writing, and you love writing.)

Start doing therapy now

Find a therapist, and please start now. 

I know you think you can’t afford it, but think of it as your emotional rent. If you sprain your ankle, you see the physio, right? Same principle for your psyche. 

It’s not about fixing something broken; it’s about building emotional intelligence. The more you understand yourself and why you behave the way you do, the more tools you’ll have to be the person you want to be. 

This self-awareness will bring more authenticity, vulnerability, and immediacy to your art. 

Make your own art

The feeling you get from writing, developing, and completing your own work is incredibly rewarding, and it’s a place to shine without external pressure, ego, or expectation. 

You’ll discover a kind of freedom there, and that will carry over into all of your other work. 

STOP SMOKING. STOP SMOKING. STOP SMOKING 

It's not just about health - it's about discipline and not using substances to manage stress when you could be building better coping mechanisms. And when vapes come out, stay the hell away - they’re even worse.

Jordan Mooney stars as Paris in Auckland Theatre Company production William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet (15 July - 9 August 2025), ASB Waterfront Theatre. Tickets available HERE.