Uli Latukefu
Birth nameTaliaʻuli Latukefu
Birth placeAustralia
OccupationActor, singer
Years active2013–present
Known forMarco Polo (2014–2016)
Young Rock (2021–2023)

Taliaʻuli Latukefu is an Australian actor and singer, best known for his roles as Dwayne Johnson in the NBC comedy Young Rock and Byamba in the American Netflix series Marco Polo. He also played Darren Ngata in the popular Australian dramatic series Doctor Doctor[1] in series 2–4 from 2017 to 2020. He played Cole in the short film Alien: Covenant – Prologue: Last Supper[2] and the feature film Alien: Covenant, both directed by Ridley Scott; Last Supper was released on 22 February 2017, and Covenant on 19 May 2017. He is also known for his role as Father Matteo in the psychological thriller miniseries Devil's Playground and as "Kool Kris" in the Chris Lilley mockumentary series Jonah from Tonga. In 2004, he was a contestant in the reality singing competition series Australian Idol. In 2022, he portrayed the superhero The Champion in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) film Black Adam.

Of Tongan descent, Latukefu is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA)[3] He lives in Sydney, Australia.[4]

Filmography

Film

YearFilmRoleNotes
2017Alien: CovenantCole
2019Danger Close: The Battle of Long TanBombardier Ray Ngatai
2020The Legend of Baron To'aFritz
2022Black AdamHurut / The Champion
2023Red, White & BrassMaka
2023Next Goal WinsNicky Salapu
2024MaXXXineShephard Turei

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2014Devil's PlaygroundFather MatteoMiniseries
Jonah From TongaKool Kris
2014–2016Marco PoloByambaMain role
2017–2019Doctor DoctorDarren Ngata13 episodes
2021–2023Young RockDwayne JohnsonPortrays older teenaged and young adult Dwayne Johnson in flashbacks
2023–2024Last King of the CrossTongan Sam16 episodes
2024–LaidLugAmerican series
2025The Last AnniversaryCallum
2025CountdownLucas FinauMain role; 11 episodes[5]

References

  1. ^ "Senior Constable Darren Ngata – Doctor Doctor | TVmaze"
  2. ^ Alien: Covenant | Prologue: Last Supper | 20th Century FOX
  3. ^ "Uli Latukefu stars in The Legend of Baron Toʻa". Matangi Tonga. 2019-10-22. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  4. ^ "Creators and Cast of Marco Polo Discuss Their World-Spanning, $90 Million Show". The New York Observer. 12 November 2014. Retrieved 28 March 2015.
  5. ^ Webb Mitovich, Matt (2025-08-10). "Countdown's Uli Latukefu Stands by Finau's Bold, Protocol-Breaking Move: 'It's Every Father's Worst Nightmare'". TVLine. Retrieved 2025-08-24.