​From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Rupert Julian (25 January 1879 – 27 December 1943) was the first New Zealand cinema actor, director, writer and producer. Born Thomas Percival Hayes in Whangaroa, New Zealand, Son of John Daly Hayes (JNR)and Eliza Harriet Hayes. Rupert Julian performed on stage and in film both in his native country and Australia before emigrating to the United States in 1911, where he started his career as an actor in Universal silent movies. He turned to directing in 1915, often directing his wife Elsie Jane Wilson, b…