Jemaine Clement's life story began in Masterton, New Zealand, where he was born and raised as the eldest of three brothers. His mother's heritage is deeply rooted in Maori culture. Clement's educational journey took him to Makoura College in Masterton, where he laid the foundation for his future endeavors.
Subsequently, he enrolled at Victoria University of Wellington to pursue his passion for drama and film. It was during this period that he crossed paths with Taika Waititi, and together they co-founded the comedy troupes So You're a Man and The Humourbeasts. The latter's popularity soared in New Zealand, with extensive touring across the country.
Clement's academic sojourn also facilitated a meeting with Bret McKenzie, with whom he would later form the renowned musical-comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. This partnership would eventually yield considerable international acclaim, including tours, radio shows, and television appearances. The culmination of their efforts was the well-received television series Flight of the Conchords, which premiered in 2007. Clement's outstanding performance in the show earned him an Emmy nomination.
Following his success in television, Clement transitioned to film, taking on various roles. He played Jarrod in Taika Waititi's Eagle vs Shark, released in 2007. In 2009, he appeared as Chevalier in Gentlemen Broncos, followed by a role as Kieran in Dinner for Schmucks in 2010. Clement's most notable film role to date is perhaps that of Boris The Animal in the hit sequel Men in Black³, which premiered in 2012.