Karen O'Leary is a New Zealand early childhood educator, comedian and actor. She played Officer O'Leary in Wellington Paranormal, which ran for four seasons from 2018–2022.[1][2]
Early life and education
O'Leary grew up in Miramar, Wellington and attended Wellington High School and Victoria University.[1][2] She graduated with a bachelor's degree in education and was an early childhood teacher in Wellington for 21 years.[3][4] She got involved in acting when casting director Tina Cleary, the parent of one of the children at her workplace, encouraged her to audition for a part in the 2014 film What We Do in the Shadows.[5]
Career
O'Leary played Officer O'Leary in the film What We Do in the Shadows and reprised the role in the spin-off television series Wellington Paranormal.
In 2018, O'Leary appeared in the comedy film The Breaker Upperers.[6]
In 2020, O'Leary presented educational activities on Home Learning TV, a New Zealand television channel dedicated to children learning at home due to school closures during the national lockdown to control the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]
In 2023, O'Leary appeared on the panel show Guy Montgomery's Guy Mont-Spelling Bee. She appeared in series 4 of Taskmaster New Zealand.
Personal life
O'Leary lives in Wellington with her son Melvyn and her partner, Eilish Wilson.[8]
Filmography
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | The Water Cooler | Karen | 3 episodes |
| 2018 | Educators | Police Officer | Episode 1.8 |
| 2018–2022 | Wellington Paranormal | Officer O'Leary | Main role |
| 2020–2023 | The Eggplant | Principal Kathleen Morris | 13 episodes |
| 2023 | Bouncers | Marty; Barbs | 5 episodes |
| 2023 | Far North | Justine | 2 episodes |
| 2024 | Time Bandits | Stomachface | 7 episodes |
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | What We Do in the Shadows | Policewoman | |
| 2016 | Pot Luck | Donna | |
| 2018 | The Breaker Upperers | Police Officer | |
| 2021 | Two Idiots and a Tin Whistle | Guest Judge | |
| 2021 | Millie Lies Low | Campus Security | |
| 2021 | Finding the Lighthouse | Charlie | Short |
| 2022 | Nude Tuesday | Chen | |
| 2023 | Red, White & Brass | Lorraine |
References
- ^ a b Casey, Alex (16 October 2019). "The most interesting woman on NZ TV: Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary". The Spinoff. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ a b Jacobson, Julie (23 December 2019). "At Home With Wellington Paranormal's Karen O'Leary and Her Wild Wellington Family". Now To Love. Archived from the original on 19 April 2020.
- ^ "Karen O'Leary, BEd(Tchg)EC". Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington. 17 April 2020. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "'A red flag': Karen O'Leary on the realities of early childcare in NZ". NZ Herald. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
- ^ "National portrait: Karen O'Leary – Paranormal but very normal". Stuff. 17 August 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ Nealon, Sarah (25 July 2018). "Wellington Paranormal's reluctant star". Stuff. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Home Learning TV". TVNZ+. Retrieved 17 April 2020.
- ^ "Karen O'Leary". EVERYONE RELAX. Retrieved 10 February 2025.
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