Peter Jackson
Director, screenwriter, producer
Born
October 31, 1961
Birthplace
Pukerua Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
Nationality
New Zealander
Net Worth
$1.5 billion (2026 est.)
Known For
The Lord of the Rings trilogy; The Hobbit trilogy; King Kong; The Beatles: Get Back
Peter Jackson Biography
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Sir Peter Robert Jackson |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | October 31, 1961 |
| Age | 64 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | Pukerua Bay, New Zealand |
| Nationality | New Zealander |
| Profession | Director, screenwriter, producer |
| Years Active | 1976-present |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m) |
| Spouse | Fran Walsh (partner since 1987) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth | ~$1.5 billion |
| Known For | Bringing Middle-earth to life with groundbreaking VFX |
Early Life & Background
Jackson grew up tinkering with Super 8 cameras and making stop-motion shorts in coastal Pukerua Bay. A self-taught filmmaker, he left school at 16 to work as a photo engraver while shooting weekend splatter comedies like Bad Taste. His DIY ethos, along with partner Fran Walsh, set the tone for future epic productions.
Career Journey
Cult Beginnings to Critical Praise
After cult hits Bad Taste (1987) and Meet the Feebles (1989), Jackson won international acclaim with Heavenly Creatures (1994), earning a Venice Silver Lion and Oscar nomination for Best Screenplay. The film showcased his balance of emotional storytelling and visual flair.
Lord of the Rings Triumph
Jackson's adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003) redefined fantasy cinema. Shot back-to-back in New Zealand, the trilogy won 17 Oscars, including Best Director for Jackson, and transformed Weta Digital into a world-class visual effects house.
Expanding the Sandbox
Post-Middle-earth, Jackson delivered King Kong (2005), produced District 9 (2009), and directed The Lovely Bones. He revisited Tolkien with The Hobbit trilogy and later crafted the WWI documentary They Shall Not Grow Old using pioneering restoration techniques.
Documentary Renaissance and Tech Ventures
Jackson directed The Beatles: Get Back (2021) for Disney+, assembling restored 1969 footage with new audio tools from his company Park Road Post. In 2022 he sold a majority stake in Weta Digital's tech division to Unity, retaining Weta FX for film work.
Current Focus
In 2026 Jackson is developing a hybrid live-action/animated feature titled The Adventures of Tintin: The Black Island, executive producing Amazon's Middle-earth spinoffs, and building a preservation lab to digitize Pacific film archives.
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | Bad Taste | Writer, director | Cult debut |
| 1994 | Heavenly Creatures | Director, co-writer | Oscar-nominated |
| 2001-2003 | The Lord of the Rings Trilogy | Director, co-writer | Won 17 Oscars |
| 2005 | King Kong | Director, producer | Blockbuster reboot |
| 2009 | The Lovely Bones | Director, co-writer | Literary adaptation |
| 2012-2014 | The Hobbit Trilogy | Director, co-writer | 48 fps experiment |
| 2018 | They Shall Not Grow Old | Director | WWI documentary |
| 2021 | The Beatles: Get Back | Director | Emmy-winning docuseries |
Awards & Nominations
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Academy Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Heavenly Creatures | Nominated |
| 2004 | Academy Awards | Best Director | The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Won |
| 2004 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Director | The Return of the King | Won |
| 2022 | Emmy Awards | Outstanding Documentary Series | The Beatles: Get Back | Won |
Net Worth & Income Sources
Estimated Net Worth: ~$1.5 billion (2026)
Jackson's wealth derives from directing salaries, backend profit participation on franchise films, ownership stakes in Weta FX and Park Road Post, real estate in Wellington, and the 2022 sale of Weta Digital's technology assets to Unity for $1.6 billion.
Personal Life
He lives in Wellington with partner Fran Walsh, often collaborating on scripts and music. Jackson is an avid aviation enthusiast, owning WWI aircraft replicas housed at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which he helped fund and curate.
Philanthropy & Advocacy
Jackson supports New Zealand film initiatives, funds the Great War Exhibition in Wellington, and donates to conservation causes protecting native bird habitats. He also finances scholarships for young Maori and Pasifika filmmakers through the New Zealand Film Commission.
Social Media Presence
Jackson avoids personal social media but occasionally posts letters to fans via official Middle-earth channels and Weta FX newsletters, detailing restoration breakthroughs and production diaries.
Lesser-Known Facts
- Jackson shoots extensive behind-the-scenes footage for every project, archiving petabytes of material.
- He owns a rare collection of original Tintin artwork that inspires future projects.
- Jackson prefers editing at night when Wellington is quiet.
- He once cameoed as a carrot-chomping citizen in The Fellowship of the Ring.
Latest News & Updates (2026)
Jackson is deep into pre-production on The Adventures of Tintin: The Black Island, conducting motion-capture tests at Weta Stage 4. He is advising Amazon on practical locations for The Rings of Power Season 3 and hosting a 2026 exhibition showcasing restored Beatles rooftop footage in London.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Peter Jackson?
Peter Jackson is a New Zealand filmmaker best known for directing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
What is Peter Jackson most famous for?
He is most famous for adapting J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth novels using groundbreaking visual effects and richly detailed world-building.
Is Peter Jackson active on social media?
Jackson does not run public accounts, but official Weta FX and Middle-earth channels share updates, letters, and behind-the-scenes clips from his team.