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LIA MAIVIA
Played By Ana Tuisila
Actor Bio
Ana Tuisila plays Dwayne Johnson's grandmother Lia Maivia on the NBC comedy "Young Rock." Equal parts doting grandmother and ruthless businesswoman, Lia fights to retain her hold on the Hawaiian wrestling circuit, especially when family proves to be her fiercest competition.Tuisila is a Samoan actor from Aotearoa, New Zealand, and is well known on local screens, appearing on long-running stalwarts such as "Outrageous Fortune" and the film "Sione's Wedding."On the stage, Tuisila's most memorable performance is from "The Songmaker's Chair," a piece written by esteemed international author, poet and playwright Albert Wendt and directed by Nathaniel Lees and the late Nancy Brunning. Following a successful season, the show later participated in the International Arts Festival at Te Papa Museum.Tuisila is never far from her roots in Samoa and has starred in two short films on location in Samoa - "Vai and Liliu" and "Tom's Diary," which have both been recognized at film festivals globally. She speaks fluent Samoan and has familiarity with other Pacific languages.