John Leigh is a New Zealand actor, writer, and voice artist best known for playing Háma, the loyal doorward of King Théoden of Rohan, in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, memorably killed during a Warg-riding ambush on the road to Helm’s Deep, a change from his death in Tolkien’s original novel.
Leigh built a substantial career within New Zealand television prior to his role in the trilogy, becoming a familiar face through long-running local soap operas including Shortland Street and Mercy Peak, as well as a recurring role as Sparky in the popular comedy-drama Outrageous Fortune.
He also worked extensively as a voice actor for the Power Rangers franchise after production moved to New Zealand in the early 2000s, lending his voice to numerous characters across the long-running series.
Leigh’s combination of a memorable, if brief, role in one of cinema’s most celebrated fantasy trilogies and decades of steady New Zealand television work has made him a respected and versatile figure within his home country’s entertainment industry, and a notable name among dedicated Lord of the Rings collectors.
