Kevin Smith's life journey began in Auckland, New Zealand, where he spent his early years growing up in a loving environment. However, when he was 11, his family relocated to the picturesque rural town of Timaru on New Zealand's South Island, marking a significant turning point in his life. During his high school days, Kevin's passion for music led him to form rock-and-roll bands, but he never considered acting as a viable career option. Instead, he harbored a dream to play for the All Blacks, New Zealand's esteemed national rugby team.
As Kevin entered his late teenage years, he made the bold decision to relocate to Christchurch, where he took up various jobs to make ends meet. At the age of 20, he enrolled in Canterbury University, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life. It was during this period that he met his childhood sweetheart, Sue, and the two eventually tied the knot. Little did Kevin know that his life was about to take an unexpected turn, courtesy of a chance encounter with Sue.
In 1987, Kevin suffered a concussion while playing college rugby, forcing him to sit out for nearly three weeks. During this time, Sue stumbled upon a casting call for the touring company of Are You Lonesome Tonight, a musical tribute to the King of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley. Without hesitation, she signed Kevin up for an audition, and to their surprise, he landed the role of one of the bodyguards and understudy to the lead. This serendipitous encounter marked the beginning of Kevin's acting career, which he never could have anticipated.
In addition to his burgeoning acting career, Kevin remained passionate about music, playing in various alternative rock bands in New Zealand. One of his most notable endeavors was as the lead singer of The Wide Lapels, a local band renowned for its camp renderings of some of the worst songs of the 1970s. The band's repertoire included hits like Take a Letter, Maria, Tell Laura I Love Her, and Billy, Don't Be a Hero, which became fan favorites due to their hilariously bad lyrics.
Kevin and Sue went on to build a life together in Auckland, where they welcomed three sons: Oscar, Tyrone, and Willard. Despite the unexpected twists and turns in his life, Kevin remained grateful for the journey that had brought him to where he was today.
