Michael Galvin

Michael Galvin (born 27 March 1967) is a New Zealand actor, singer and playwright, well known for his role as Chris Warner on the soap opera Shortland Street, a character he has played almost since the show's debut in 1992 until 1996 and again from 2000 to present, and remains as of 2023, the only original cast member. He is the longest serving television soap opera actor in New Zealand. Early life Galvin attended and graduated both Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School. He graduated from Toi Whakaari in 1989 with a Diploma in Acting. Career Shortland Street In 1992 Galvin, a theatre actor at the time, auditioned for a role as Chris Warner in the upcoming Television New Zealand soap opera, Shortland Street alongside his flatmate Marton Csokas. Galvin won the role, with Csokas later going on to play Leonard Dodds. Galvin predicted the show would only last 12 months. Galvin portrayed Chris for four years, with the character picking up the nickname "Dr. Love" for the numerous love affairs he participated in. Galvin soon grew sick of portraying Chris, being quoted as saying "after four years on Shortland Street there was so much of me in Dr Warner I wasn't sure where he ended and I began." He quit and went travelling to seek further job opportunities.