You know that feeling when a villain walks on screen and, instead of wanting to hiss at them, you’re just... mesmerized? That’s exactly what happened in 2011 when a mangy, disgruntled Sulphur-crested cockatoo named Nigel swooped into the frame in Rio. He wasn't your typical Disney-style baddie. He was bitter. He was theatrical. He was weirdly soulful.
Most people recognize that deep, deadpan, yet melodic voice immediately, but if you’re scratching your head, let’s settle the debate. Jemaine Clement voices Nigel in Rio. If the name doesn't ring a bell, his face—or his other voices—definitely will. Clement is one half of the legendary New Zealand musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords. He’s the guy who brought a specific brand of "Kiwi cool" to Hollywood, and honestly, without him, Nigel would probably just be another forgettable bird in a cage.
The Man Behind the Beak: Who is Jemaine Clement?
Jemaine Clement isn't just a voice actor; he's a bit of a polymath. Born in Masterton, New Zealand, he spent years grinding in the comedy circuit before hitting it big.
Most fans know him as "Jemaine" from the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, where he played a fictionalized, struggling version of himself. But by the time Rio director Carlos Saldanha was casting for a villain, Clement had already proven he could do "menacing" and "hilarious" at the same time. Think back to his role in Gentlemen Broncos or his brief but iconic stint in The Simpsons.
He has this specific gravelly resonance. It’s a voice that sounds like it’s seen things. For Nigel—a former TV star bird who lost his fame to a "pretty parakeet"—that world-weary tone was absolute gold.
Why Nigel Isn't Your Average Villain
Nigel is a "Pretty Bird" with a very ugly heart. In the world of Rio, he’s the muscle for the bird smugglers, but he’s also a tragic figure in his own mind. He’s obsessed with his lost glory days.
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Clement didn't just read the lines. He leaned into the Shakespearean drama of it all. You can hear him practically purring through the insults. It’s rare to find a voice actor who can make a bird eating a chicken leg look both cannibalistic (even though it's technically not, as a cockatoo isn't a chicken) and incredibly suave.
The Musical Genius of "Pretty Bird"
We have to talk about the song. You can’t hire Jemaine Clement and not let him sing.
"Pretty Bird" is easily one of the highlights of the first movie. It’s a rap-infused, operatic breakdown where Nigel explains his backstory. Clement’s rhythm is impeccable. He navigates lyrics like "I'm a feathery freak with a beak, a bird murderer" with the kind of flow most actual rappers would envy.
Interestingly, Clement’s Flight of the Conchords partner, Bret McKenzie, actually won an Oscar for "Man or Muppet" the same year Rio was in the mix for musical accolades. The duo basically owned the musical comedy space in the early 2010s.
Who Voices Nigel in Rio 2? (Spoiler: He's Back)
Usually, in animated sequels, the villain changes. Not this time.
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Jemaine Clement returned for Rio 2 in 2014, and he was arguably even better. After the events of the first film, Nigel is flightless and even more unhinged. He spends most of the movie seeking revenge on Blu (voiced by Jesse Eisenberg) while being trailed by a poison dart frog named Gabi who is hopelessly in love with him.
His performance in the sequel took a turn for the theatrical. He covers "I Will Survive," but with a Shakespearean, villainous twist that only a guy who grew up doing New Zealand fringe theater could pull off.
Other Famous Roles You’ll Recognize Him From
If you loved Nigel, you’ve definitely heard Clement elsewhere. He has a knack for playing characters that are slightly "off."
- Tamatoa in Moana: The giant, shiny, David Bowie-esque crab. "Shiny" is basically Nigel 2.0 but underwater.
- Boris the Animal in Men in Black 3: He was the primary antagonist, proving he can do live-action villainy just as well as animation.
- Vladislav in What We Do in the Shadows: He co-wrote and co-directed this vampire mockumentary, playing a vampire who is "bad at torture."
- Fart in Rick and Morty: Yes, he voiced a telepathic gaseous cloud that sings a song called "Goodbye Moonmen."
The Impact of a Great Voice Performance
Why does it matter who voices Nigel? Because animation is half-dead without the right soul behind the mic.
Nigel could have been a generic "scary bird." Instead, Jemaine Clement turned him into a cult favorite. He gave him a personality that felt lived-in. When Nigel talks about being "unrinseable" or "unwashable," you believe the madness.
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It's that intersection of New Zealand dry humor and genuine acting chops. Clement doesn't "overact" for kids; he treats the character like a fallen protagonist of a Greek tragedy who happens to have feathers.
What to Watch Next if You Like Nigel
If you’re a fan of this specific style of performance, you should definitely check out Clement’s work in What We Do in the Shadows (the movie) or his voice work in The Lego Batman Movie where he voices Sauron. He consistently brings a level of deadpan absurdity that makes even the most ridiculous characters feel real.
If you’re revisiting Rio today, pay attention to the small ad-libs. A lot of Nigel’s most iconic moments come from Clement’s ability to improvise and find the "weird" in a scene.
Next Steps for Fans:
Go back and listen to the Rio soundtrack on Spotify or Apple Music. Focus on the track "Poisonous Love" from the sequel. It’s a masterclass in vocal character work. After that, look up "Shiny" from Moana to see how he evolved that specific "villainous crooner" persona. You'll see the DNA of Nigel in almost everything he's done since.