Michael Hurst | |
---|---|
Born | Michael Eric Hurst 20 September 1957 Lancashire, England |
Occupation(s) | Actor, director, writer |
Years active | 1976–present |
Spouse | Jennifer Ward-Lealand (1988–present) |
Website | michaelhurst |
Michael Eric Hurst ONZM (born 20 September 1957) is a British-born New Zealand actor, director and writer. He is known internationally for acting in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and companion series Xena: Warrior Princess as Iolaus. Most recently, he is known for his role in directing the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Ash vs Evil Dead .
Hurst was born in Lancashire, England, the eldest of three brothers. When he was seven his family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand. He enrolled at Papanui High School, then University of Canterbury, but for only one year.[ citation needed ]
He is married to New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand and they have two sons. [1]
In 1984, Hurst won the lead role of David Blyth's Death Warmed Up , New Zealand's first splatter movie. [2] The plot saw Hurst's character weathering institutionalisation, sundry wackos, and a motorcycle chase in the tunnels below Waiheke Island. The film won the grand prize at a fantasy film festival in Paris. The same year Hurst began playing drummer Dave Nelson over two series of Heroes, about a band searching for fame.
Crime thriller Dangerous Orphans (1986) is the first film in which Hurst co-starred with real-life partner Jennifer Ward-Lealand (he had already acted with her on-stage). Hurst's role was one of three grown orphans caught up in a mission to one-up various criminal figures; Ward-Lealand played romantic interest to one of the other orphans. Hurst would work with Ward-Lealand again on his next three features, 1992's The Footstep Man, 1993's Desperate Remedies [3] and 1999's I'll Make You Happy.
In 1993, he starred alongside Australian Sophie Lee and Brit Greg Wise in the TV thriller Typhon's People . Hurst played a European mystery man uncovering the truth behind corporate genetic meddling. The script was by author Margaret Mahy.[ citation needed ]
Hurst went on to co-star in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys with Kevin Sorbo, playing sidekick Iolaus to Sorbo's Hercules. [4]
Hurst made his feature debut as a director with Jubilee (2000), based on the book by Nepi Solomon. The film stars Cliff Curtis as a kind-hearted procrastinator who gets the chance to prove himself by organising a 75th jubilee. Hurst followed Jubilee by directing Love Mussel, a one off satire for television. Written by Braindead's Stephen Sinclair and starring Kevin Smith, Love Mussel is a mockumentary about a fictional township which erects a monument to a shellfish with Viagra-like properties.
In 2003, Hurst was awarded an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award. In the 2005 Queen's Birthday Honours, he was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to film and the theatre. [5] [6]
In 2015, after runs in New Zealand and at the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Hurst directed The Generation of Z: Apocalypse at a purpose-built venue in East London between 4 April 2015 to July 2015. Hurst stated, "A lot of the reviews have said 'immersive theatre into overdrive'. 'Video game, only live.' It has those qualities. There are choices where the audience can affect the outcome of scenes which is quite a new thing. It flows very easily depending on which choice they make." [7]
In October 2018, he was presented with a Scroll of Honour from the Variety Artists Club of New Zealand for his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.[ citation needed ]
He has also appeared in several solo stage productions including No Holds Bard (based on several Shakespearian characters) in 2018, [6] and An Illiad in 2019. [8]
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | Prisoners | Sciano | Film |
1982 | Casualties of Peace | Peter | TV movie |
1984 | Constance | Photographer (scenes deleted) | Film |
Heroes | Dave Nelson | TV series | |
Death Warmed Up | Michael Tucker | Film | |
1985 | Dangerous Orphans | Moir | |
1986 | Heroes II | Dave Nelson | TV series |
1989 | The Shadow Trader | Bob Hoyle | TV mini-series |
1992 | The Footstep Man | Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec | Film |
1993 | Typhon's People | Constantine | TV movie |
Desperate Remedies | Willam Poyser | Film | |
1994 | Hercules and the Amazon Women | Iolaus | TV movie |
Hercules in the Underworld | Aelus/Charon | ||
Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur | Iolaus | ||
1995 | Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | Iolaus/Charon/Orestes/Dahak/Widow Twankey | TV series (79 episodes) |
1997 | A Moment Passing | Joey | Short Film |
The Bar | |||
Highwater | Hugh Chance | TV movie | |
1998 | Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus | Iolaus | Voice |
Young Hercules | The Jeweler | Video | |
1999 | I'll Make You Happy | Lou | Film |
This Is It | Narrator, host, and various historical figures | TV special | |
2001 | The Man Who Has Everything | George Allwell | TV movie |
2002 | Honey | Nic | Short Film |
Showstoppers | celebrity judge | TV series | |
2003 | Murder on the Blade? | Defence lawyer | TV movie |
2004 | Fracture | Athol Peet | Film |
Hold the Anchovies | Manager & Old Iraqi | Video | |
2005 | The Magician | The Agent | Film |
2006 | Maddigan's Quest | Maska | TV series |
Treasure Island Kids: The Monster of Treasure Island | ferry pilot | Film | |
2007 | Ask Your Uncles | Presenter | TV series |
The Tattooist | Crash | Film | |
We're Here To Help | Rodney Hide | ||
The Last Magic Show | Trevor Norton | ||
The Map Reader | Alison's father | ||
2009 | Bitch Slap | Gage | |
2012 | Inorganic | Brett | Short Film |
2014 | Death Walks into a Bar | God of War | |
2018 | Vermilion | Smoking Man | Film |
Dead | Ross Marbeck | Film | |
2019 | Northspur | Green (lead) | Film |
Year | Title | Role | Episode |
---|---|---|---|
1976 | Thirty Minute Theatre | Jim | "Tinkling Brass" |
1983 | Both Sides of the Fence | Gary McNabb | 1.09 |
Country GP | Mark Sloane | 1.32 | |
1985 | Hanlon | Elliott | 1.6 "In Defence of Shue Rock" |
Defence Lawyer | 1.7 "In Defence" | ||
1989 | Shark in the Park | David Jennings | 2.8 "Acting Sergeant" |
1990 | The New Adventures of Black Beauty | Kurt | 1.08 "The Birdman" |
The Ray Bradbury Theater | Roger Shumway | 4.08 "The Toynbee Convector" | |
1991 | For the Love of Mike | Laurie | 1.06 |
1992 | The Ray Bradbury Theater | Lt. Simmons | 6.06 "The Long Rain" |
1995, 1997 | Xena: Warrior Princess | Iolaus | 1.08 "Prometheus", 2.13 "The Quest" |
1996 | Charon | 1.16 "Mortal Beloved" | |
1997 | E! News Daily | Himself | |
Entertainment Tonight | |||
1998 | Young Hercules | Charon | 1.20 "A Lady in Hades" |
1999 | Celebrity Profile | Himself | "Lucy Lawless" |
Backch@t | 2.01 | ||
Sunday News Give Us a Clue | |||
Duggan | Michael Taylor | 1.3 "A Shadow of Doubt: Part 1" | |
1.4 "A Shadow of Doubt: Part 2" | |||
2000 | Topp Twins | celebrity golfer | 3.05 "Bowls and Golf" |
Mai Time | Himself | ||
Celebrity Profile | "Kevin Sorbo" | ||
Jack of All Trades | Captain Nardo da Vinci | 2.2 "Shark Bait" | |
2001 | Love Mussel | Stephen Jessop | TV movie |
Xena: Warrior Princess | Nigel | 6.13 "You Are There" | |
2002 | Andromeda | Ryan | 2.20 "The Knight, Death and the Devil" |
Mataku | Dr. Forbes | 1.05 "The Final Plume" | |
2003 | Good Morning | Himself | |
Shortland Street | Greg Vicelich | Recurring (10 episodes) | |
Power Rangers: Ninja Storm | "D.J. Drummond" (voice) | 1.20 "Good Will Hunter" | |
"Vexacus" (voice) | 1.27 "Shane's Karma: Part 2", 1.30 "The Wild Wipeout", 1.31 "Double-Edged Blake", 1.33 "General Deception, Part I", 1.34 "General Deception, Part II", 1.35 "A Gem of a Day", 1.36 "Down and Dirty", 1.37 "Storm Before the Calm, Part I", 1.38 "Storm Before the Calm, Part II" | ||
2005 | Power Rangers: S.P.D. | Silverhead (voice) | 1.28 "Robotpalooza" |
Frontseat | Himself | 2.24 | |
2007 | Here to Stay | 1.03 "The English" | |
2009 | Legend of the Seeker | Amfortas | 1.13 "Revenant" |
2010 | The Jono Project | "Michael Hurst" | 1.12 "Sir Butch" |
2012 | Spartacus: Vengeance | Roman soldier – uncredited | 2.09 "Monsters" |
The Almighty Johnsons | Kvasir | 2.01 "And She Will Come to You" | |
2.11 "The House of Jerome" | |||
2.12 "You Call This the Real World?" | |||
2.13 "Does this Look Like Asgard?" | |||
Auckland Daze | Michael | 1.06 | |
2014 | 2.05 | ||
2.06 | |||
2016 | Terry Teo | Cornelius Jones | 1.04 "Head to Head" |
Highroad | The Director | 3.04 "39 Lashes" | |
2020 | Dead | Ross Marbeck | |
2021 | My Life is Murder | Otto Klein | 2.10 "Pleasure & Pain" |
Power Rangers: Dino Fury | Nibyro Guardian (voice) | 1.20 "Waking Nightmare" |
The numbers in directing credits refer to the number of episodes.
Title | Year | Credited as | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Director | |||
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | 1994 | Yes | Short film, also writer |
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys | 1996–99 | Yes (6) | Television series |
A Silent Welcome | 1976 | Yes | Short film, also writer |
Amazon High | 1997 | Yes | Unaired pilot |
Xena: Warrior Princess | 1997–2001 | Yes (6) | Television series |
Jack of All Trades | 2000 | Yes (2) | |
Jubilee | Yes | ||
Love Mussel | 2001 | Yes | Television film |
Treasure Island Kids 2: The Monster of Treasure Island | 2006 | Yes | |
Treasure Island Kids 3: The Mystery of Treasure Island | Yes | ||
Legend of the Seeker | 2009–10 | Yes (7) | Television series |
Spartacus | 2010–13 | Yes (8) | |
The Almighty Johnsons | 2013 | Yes (2) | |
The Brokenwood Mysteries | 2014 | Yes (1) | |
Step Dave | 2014–15 | Yes (5) | |
Tatau | 2015 | Yes (2) | |
Ash vs Evil Dead | Yes (2) | ||
Balloons | 2016 | Yes | Short film, also writer |
Westside | 2016–present | Yes (15) | Television series |
800 Words | 2016–17 | Yes (10) | |
The Dead Lands | 2020 | Yes (4) | |
Between Two Worlds | Yes (2) | ||
My Life is Murder | 2021 | Yes (2) | |
Power Rangers Dino Fury | Yes (6) | ||
Power Rangers Cosmic Fury | 2023 | Yes (6) |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2012 | Spartacus: War of the Damned | TV series |
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1994 | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | Screenplay |
1996 | Clown Story | Story |
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is an American fantasy television series filmed in New Zealand, based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles. Starring Kevin Sorbo as Hercules and Michael Hurst as Iolaus, it was produced from January 16, 1995, to November 22, 1999. It ran for six seasons, producing action figures and other memorabilia as it became one of the highest-rated syndicated television shows in the world at that time. It has aired on Once Channel, Sky1, five/5, Heroes & Icons, and Horror.
Kevin David Sorbo is an American actor. He has had starring roles in two television series: as Hercules in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995–1999) and as Captain Dylan Hunt in Andromeda (2000–2005). In between his years playing Hercules, Sorbo played his first leading film role in the 1997 fantasy film Kull the Conqueror.
Kevin Tod Smith was a New Zealand actor and musician, best known for starring as the Greek god of war, Ares, in the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and in its two spin-offs – Xena: Warrior Princess and Young Hercules.
Young Hercules is a prequel series to the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys that originally aired on Fox Kids Network. It premiered on September 12, 1998 and ended on May 14, 1999, with a total of 50 episodes over the course of 1 season. It stars Ryan Gosling in the title role, who took over for Ian Bohen who starred in the pilot movie and four episodes of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. The series was inspired by the Greek myths of Heracles.
Widow Twankey is a female character in the pantomime Aladdin. She is a pantomime dame, played by an older man.
Hercules and the Amazon Women is the first television movie in the syndicated fantasy series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and marked the debut of Kevin Sorbo as the titular character Hercules and co-starred Anthony Quinn, Michael Hurst, Roma Downey and Lucy Lawless.
The Ugly is a 1997 New Zealand horror film, the first feature directed and written by Scott Reynolds. The film starred Paolo Rotondo, Rebecca Hobbs, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, and Roy Ward. The film is about a psychiatrist who is meeting with a serial killer to determine whether or not he has been successfully cured. They delve into a journey through his past and his victims, and through this "The Ugly", a distorted allusion to The Ugly Duckling, is revealed. It was nominated for best film awards at festivals in New Zealand, Portugal and the United States.
Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur is the fifth and final television movie in the syndicated fantasy series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Hercules and Xena – The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus is a 1998 American animated action-adventure direct-to-video film starring the voices of Kevin Sorbo, Lucy Lawless, Michael Hurst, Renee O'Connor, Kevin Smith and Alexandra Tydings, all reprising their roles from the two live-action/special effects television series, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. In the film, Zeus' wife Hera releases the four Titans after eons of imprisonment in a fit of jealousy, prompting Hercules and Xena to join forces and stop her. The film was produced and directed by Lynne Naylor.
Jennifer Cecily Ward-Lealand is a New Zealand theatre and film actor, director, teacher and intimacy coordinator. She has worked for 40 years, appearing in over 120 theatre performances: Greek, Shakespeare, drama, comedy, devised, and musical theatre. Her screen credits include the 1993 movie Desperate Remedies as well as appearances in The Footstep Man, the soap Shortland Street and Australian comedy series Full Frontal.
Heracles, also known as Hercules, is a Greek and Roman mythological hero known for his strength and far-ranging adventures. He is one of the most commonly portrayed figures from classical mythology in the popular culture of the 20th and 21st centuries.
The first season of the television series Xena: Warrior Princess commenced airing in the United States and Canada on September 4, 1995, concluded on July 29, 1996, and contained 24 episodes. It introduces Gabrielle, the series co-star, beside Xena, previously a secondary character in the TV series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. Gabrielle becomes Xena's greatest ally; her initial naiveté helps to balance Xena and assists her in recognizing and pursuing the "greater good."
Desperate Remedies is a 1993 New Zealand drama film directed by Stewart Main and Peter Wells. It was screened in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival.
Victor John Rodger is a New Zealand journalist, actor and award-winning playwright of Samoan and Pākehā heritage. Rodger's play Sons won acclaim at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards (1998) and received the Best New Writer and Most Outstanding New New Zealand Play awards. In 2001, he won the Bruce Mason Playwriting Award. Other plays include Ranterstantrum (2002) and My Name is Gary Cooper (2007), produced and staged by Auckland Theatre Company and starred a Samoan cast including Robbie Magasiva, Anapela Polataivao, Goretti Chadwick and Kiwi actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand.
Katie Wolfe is an actor, film and stage director from New Zealand. She appeared in television series including Marlin Bay (1990s), Shortland Street, and Mercy Peak. Her screen directing work has won awards, including Redemption at the ImagineNative Film + Media Arts Festival and This Is Her at the Prague International Short Film Festival. Wolfe wrote and directed a stage play, The Haka Party Incident that was presented in 2023 in New Zealand.
Raymond Benjamin Thomas Hawthorne is a New Zealand theatre director, and is regarded as one of the country's most senior performing arts practitioners.
Dangerous Orphans is a 1986 New Zealand action film directed by John Laing.
Dead is a 2020 New Zealand comedy horror film, starring Tom Sainsbury and Hayden J. Weal.