Vinnie Kruse
| Vinnie Kruse-Miller | |||||||||||||||
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| Shortland Street character | |||||||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Pua Magasiva | ||||||||||||||
| Duration | 2003–06, 2011— | ||||||||||||||
| First appearance | 25 November 2003 | ||||||||||||||
| Introduced by | Harriet Crampton (2003) Steven Zanoski (2011) |
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| Classification | Present; regular | ||||||||||||||
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| Occupation | Nurse at Shortland Street Hospital (2003–06, 2011—) Co-owner of 'The I.V.' bar (2016—) Paramedic (2005–06) |
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| Home | The Deco house | ||||||||||||||
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| Sisters | Natalia Kruse |
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| Wife | Nicole Miller (2015—) |
| Sons |
Michael Hampton-Rees Pele Kruse |
| Uncles | Talafao Kruse |
| Aunts | Louisa Kruse Mary Faasavalu |
| First cousins |
Maxwell Avia Tamasi'i Kruse Talia Kruse Sef Kruse |
| Other relatives | Ula Levi |
Vainu'u "Vinnie" Kruse-Miller (né Kruse) is a fictional character from the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, played by Pua Magasiva. Vinnie first arrived on 25 November 2003, leaving the show on 23 February 2006. He made a return to the soap after a 5-year gap on 16 August 2011.
The role was created specially for Magasiva and Vinnie is known for his party loving and easy going ways. His introduction saw a new group of young characters that formed a demographic for "hip, young things". Usually involved in comedic relief, Vinnie also participated in several melodramatic story lines such as the high-profile affair with his good friend Tama Hudson's (David Wikaira-Paul) girlfriend Shannon Te Ngaru (Amber Curreen). The storyline was named as a highlight of the 2004 season and cemented Vinnie's label as a "heart throb". Magasiva quit the role in 2006 and the character was written out when he accidentally impregnated tourist girlfriend – Jemima Hampton (Liesha Ward Knox). Vinnie made his return in 2011 and in the intervening years, the characters family was introduced, making the soap's first ever Polynesian family unit.
The character was well received and remains known as a heart throb, with Magasiva beating out his brother Robbie for "Hottest Male" in the TV Guide Best on the Box Awards 2012. Vinnie has also been named as one of the fans favourite characters and Magasiva, the favourite actor.
Pua Magasiva had previously successfully auditioned for the guest role of Elvis Iosefa, the cousin of established character Louie in 1999. He appeared for several episodes however 4 years later he was offered the full-time role of Vinnie Kruse, a core cast member. Vinnie made his first appearance in late 2003. The character was said to bring rebellion to the nurses and Magasiva hoped the character portrayed Pacific Islanders correctly, stating; "I wanted to make Vinnie very cultural, a character that Pacific Island people can relate to." Magasiva soon decided to try his luck elsewhere and quit the role. The character departed in early 2006 and early reports suggested he was axed as part of a large cast overhaul at the time, however this was not the case. In reality, Magasiva's resignation brought on the large cast overhaul, which was an attempt by producers to represent a culturally proportional society after the exit of the shows only Pacific Islander. Magasiva soon regretted the decision, stating: "I took a risk and I left. The work didn't come." Magasiva returned to the role after 5 years in August 2011. In 2015 Magasiva announced he would stay with the show, "as long as they'll have" him and expressed his desire for Vinnie to become the next Chris Warner (the show's longest running character). In late 2015 online rumours surfaced that Magasiva had left the show, though he denied this the following month.
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