Michael Hurst
Encyclopedia
Michael Eric Hurst, ONZM
(born 20 September 1957) is a New Zealand
actor, director and writer, mostly on stage and television. He is probably best known internationally for playing Iolaus
in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
and companion series Xena: Warrior Princess
. Most recently, he is known for his role in directing the popular Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand
.
, 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.
He married New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand
in 1988. They have two sons: Jack Louis Ward Hurst, born in 1997, and Cameron Lane Ward Hurst, born in 1999.
In 1984, Hurst won the lead role of David Blyth's Death Warmed Up, New Zealand's first splatter movie. 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 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
, and I'll Make You Happy in 1999. In 1993, he starred alongside Australian Sophie Lee and Brit Greg Wise in 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
.
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, an acclaimed 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. He was later designated an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 "for services to film and the theatre".
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(born 20 September 1957) is a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
actor, director and writer, mostly on stage and television. He is probably best known internationally for playing Iolaus
Iolaus
In Greek mythology, Iolaus was a Theban divine hero, son of Iphicles, Heracles's brother, and Automedusa.He was famed for being Heracles's nephew and for helping with some of his Labors, and also for being one of the Argonauts...
in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is a television series, filmed in New Zealand and the United States. It was produced from 1995, and was very loosely based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles...
and companion series Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess
Xena: Warrior Princess is an American–New Zealand supernatural fantasy adventure series that aired in syndication from September 4, 1995 until June 18, 2001....
. Most recently, he is known for his role in directing the popular Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Spartacus: Blood and Sand
Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that premiered on January 22, 2010. The series is inspired by the historical figure of Spartacus , a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S...
.
Biography
Hurst was born in LancashireLancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, the eldest of three brothers. When he was seven his family moved to Christchurch
Christchurch
Christchurch is the largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the country's second-largest urban area after Auckland. It lies one third of the way down the South Island's east coast, just north of Banks Peninsula which itself, since 2006, lies within the formal limits of...
, New Zealand. He enrolled at Papanui High School
Papanui High School
Papanui High School is a secondary school in Papanui, a suburb of Christchurch city, New Zealand.Papanui High School is a coeducational secondary school, located between Northlands Mall and Firestone tyre factory, opposite the Christchurch Sanitarium Health Food Company factory...
, then University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
, but for only one year.
He married New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand
Jennifer Ward-Lealand
Jennifer Ward-Lealand, ONZM, is a New Zealand actress who has appeared on many films and television shows such as The Ugly and Shortland Street as well as the Australian comedy series Full Frontal....
in 1988. They have two sons: Jack Louis Ward Hurst, born in 1997, and Cameron Lane Ward Hurst, born in 1999.
In 1984, Hurst won the lead role of David Blyth's Death Warmed Up, New Zealand's first splatter movie. The plot saw Hurst's character weathering institutionalisation, sundry wackos, and a motorcycle chase in the tunnels below Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island
Waiheke Island is an island in the Hauraki Gulf of New Zealand, located about from Auckland.The island is the second-largest in the Hauraki Gulf after Great Barrier Island. It is the most populated, with nearly 8,000 permanent residents plus another estimated 3,400 who have second or holiday homes...
. The film won the grand prize at a fantasy film festival in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
. 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 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
Desperate Remedies
Desperate Remedies is a novel by Thomas Hardy, published anonymously by Tinsley Brothers in 1871.-Plot summary:This brilliant but neglected novel - the first that Hardy ever published - not only rivals the detective fiction of Wilkie Collins but bears the undoubted imprint of the mature Hardy...
, and I'll Make You Happy in 1999. In 1993, he starred alongside Australian Sophie Lee and Brit Greg Wise in 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
Margaret Mahy
Margaret Mahy ONZ is a well-known New Zealand author of children's and young adult books. While the plots of many of her books have strong supernatural elements, her writing concentrates on the themes of human relationships and growing up.Her books The Haunting and The Changeover: A Supernatural...
.
Hurst made his feature debut as a director with Jubilee (2000), based on the book by Nepi Solomon. The film stars Cliff Curtis
Cliff Curtis
Clifford Vivian Devon "Cliff" Curtis is a New Zealand actor who has had major roles in film, including The Piano, Whale Rider, and Blow, and most recently has appeared in NBC's television series Trauma. He is also co-owner of independent film production company Whenua Films...
as a kind-hearted procrastinator who gets the chance to prove himself by organising a 75th jubilee.
Hurst followed Jubilee by directing Love Mussel, an acclaimed one off satire for television. Written by Braindead's Stephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair
Stephen Sinclair is a New Zealand film and television writer and emerging director.As a screenwriter, Sinclair has worked with director Peter Jackson on Meet the Feebles, Braindead and The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. He has directed several short films, including Home Video and Ride, which...
and starring Kevin Smith, Love Mussel is a mockumentary
Mockumentary
A mockumentary , is a type of film or television show in which fictitious events are presented in documentary format. These productions are often used to analyze or comment on current events and issues by using a fictitious setting, or to parody the documentary form itself...
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
Arts Foundation of New Zealand
A facilitator of private philanthropy, the Arts Foundation of New Zealand supports artistic excellence through its permanent Endowment Fund. Legacies and donations help grow the Fund, with income generated enabling the Foundation to support the arts....
Laureate Award. He was later designated an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 "for services to film and the theatre".
Starring roles
| Year | Title | Role | Other Notes |
| 1981 | Prisoners | Sciano | |
| 1982 | Casualties of Peace | Peter | TV |
| 1984 | Constance | Photographer (scenes deleted) | |
| 1984 | "Heroes" | Dave Nelson | TV Series |
| 1985 | Hanlon: In Defence of Minnie Dean | Elliott | TV |
| 1985 | Death Warmed Up | Michael Tucker | |
| 1985 | Dangerous Orphans | Moir | |
| 1986 | "Heroes II" | Dave Nelson | TV Series |
| 1989 | The Shadow Trader | Bob Hoyle | TV |
| 1992 | The Footstep Man | Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec | |
| 1993 | Typhon's People | Constantine | TV |
| 1993 | Desperate Remedies Desperate Remedies (film) 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.-Plot:... |
Willam Poyser | |
| 1994 | Hercules and the Amazon Women Hercules And The Amazon Women "Hercules and the Amazon Women" is the first movie-length pilot episode of the television series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.-Plot overview:... |
Iolaus | TV |
| 1994 | Hercules in the Underworld Hercules In The Underworld Hercules in the Underworld is the fourth made for TV movie in the series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.-Overview:When villagers begin disappearing it is discovered that they had fallen through a crack in the earth which goes straight to Hades... |
Iolaus | TV |
| 1994 | Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur Hercules In The Maze Of The Minotaur Hercules in the Maze of the Minotaur is the fifth made-for-TV movie in the series Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.-Overview:Hercules has given up his days of traveling, and amazing adventures, and has settled down to spend some time with his family... |
Iolaus | TV |
| 1995 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Hercules: The Legendary Journeys Hercules: The Legendary Journeys is a television series, filmed in New Zealand and the United States. It was produced from 1995, and was very loosely based on the tales of the classical Greek culture hero Heracles... " |
Iolaus/Charon Charon (mythology) In Greek mythology, Charon or Kharon is the ferryman of Hades who carries souls of the newly deceased across the rivers Styx and Acheron that divided the world of the living from the world of the dead. A coin to pay Charon for passage, usually an obolus or danake, was sometimes placed in or on... /Orestes/Dahak Dahak Dahak is a fictional character in the fictional universe of Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. He is the main antagonist of Xenas third season and the fifth season of Hercules.... / The Twanky Widow |
TV Series |
| 1997 | A Moment Passing | Joey | |
| 1997 | The Bar | ||
| 1997 | Highwater | Hugh Chance | TV |
| 1998 | Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus Hercules and Xena - The Animated Movie: The Battle for Mount Olympus 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, Renée O'Connor, Kevin Smith, and Alexandra Tydings, all reprising their roles from Hercules: The... |
Iolaus (voice) | Video |
| 1998 | Young Hercules | The Jeweler | Video |
| 1999 | I'll Make You Happy | Lou | |
| 1999 | This Is It | Narrator, host, and various historical figures | TV |
| 2001 | The Man Who Has Everything | George Allwell | TV |
| 2002 | Honey | Nic | |
| 2002 | Showstoppers | celebrity judge | TV Series |
| 2003 | Murder on the Blade | Defence lawyer | TV |
| 2004 | Fracture | Athol Peet | |
| 2004 | Hold the Anchovies | Manager & Old Iraqi | Video |
| 2006 | "Maddigan's Quest Maddigan's Quest Maddigan's Quest was a fantasy-based television series set in a post-apocalyptic future. It was based on an original concept by Margaret Mahy and was developed for television by Gavin Strawhan and Rachel Lang... " |
Maska | TV Series |
| 2007 | "The Tattooist The Tattooist The Tattooist is a 2007 New Zealand film directed by Peter Burger and starring American actor Jason Behr and New Zealand actors Nathaniel Lees, Michael Hurst and Robbie Magasiva among others... " |
Crash | Film |
| 2007 | "We're Here To Help We're Here To Help We're Here To Help is a 2007 Kafkaesque comedy film written and directed by Jonothan Cullinane and produced by South Pacific Pictures.- Plot :... " |
Rodney Hide Rodney Hide Rodney Hide is a New Zealand politician who was leader of the political party ACT New Zealand from 2004 to 2011. From 2005 to 2011 he represented the electorate of Epsom as its Member of Parliament. Rodney Hide was Minister of Local Government, Associate Minister of Commerce and Minister of... |
Film |
| 2009 | "Bitch Slap Bitch Slap Bitch Slap is a 2009 action and exploitation film directed by Rick Jacobson and stars Julia Voth, Erin Cummings, America Olivo and Michael Hurst, with cameos by Lucy Lawless, Kevin Sorbo, and Renée O'Connor.- Plot :... " |
Gage | Film |
Guest-starring roles
| Year | Title | Role | Episode |
| 1976 | "Thirty Minute Theatre" | Jim | "Tinkling Brass" |
| 1983 | "Both Sides of the Fence" | Gary McNabb | 1.9 |
| 1989 | "Shark In the Park Shark in the Park Shark in the Park wasa New Zealand television drama series. A police procedural, it revolved around the professional and private lives of a group of officers at a Wellington police station under the command of Inspector Brian "Sharky" Finn... " |
David Jennings | "Acting Sergeant" |
| 1990 | "The New Adventures of Black Beauty" | Kurt | 1.8 "The Birdman" |
| 1990 | "The Ray Bradbury Theater" | Roger Shumway | 4.8 "The Toynbee Convector" |
| 1991 | "For the Love of Mike" | Laurie | 1.6 |
| 1992 | "The Ray Bradbury Theater" | Lt. Simmons | 6.6 "The Long Rain" |
| 1995 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | Iolaus | 1.8 "Prometheus" |
| 1996 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | Charon | 1.16 "Mortal Beloved" |
| 1997 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | Iolaus | 2.13 "The Quest" |
| 1997 | "E! News Daily" | Himself | |
| 1997 | "Entertainment Tonight Entertainment Tonight Entertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer... " |
Himself | |
| 1998 | "Young Hercules Young Hercules Young Hercules is a spin-off from Hercules: The Legendary Journeys. It was aired on Fox Kids from September 12, 1998, to May 12, 1999. It lasted one season with 50 episodes and starred Ryan Gosling in the title role.-Plot:... " |
Charon | 1.20 "A Lady in Hades" |
| 1999 | "Celebrity Profile" | Himself | "Lucy Lawless" |
| 1999 | "Backch@t" | Himself | 2.1 |
| 1999 | "Sunday News Give Us a Clue" | ||
| 1999 | "Duggan" | Michael Taylor | 1.3 "A Shadow of Doubt: Part 1" |
| 1999 | "Duggan" | Michael Taylor | 1.4 "A Shadow of Doubt: Part 2" |
| 2000 | "Topp Twins" | celebrity golfer | |
| 2000 | "Mai Time" | Himself | |
| 2000 | "Celebrity Profile" | Himself | "Kevin Sorbo" |
| 2000 | "Jack of All Trades" | Captain Nardo da Vinci | 2.2 "Shark Bait" |
| 2001 | "Love Mussel" | Stephen Jessop | |
| 2001 | "Xena: Warrior Princess Xena: Warrior Princess Xena: Warrior Princess is an American–New Zealand supernatural fantasy adventure series that aired in syndication from September 4, 1995 until June 18, 2001.... " |
Nigel | 6.13 "You Are There" |
| 2002 | "Andromeda Andromeda (TV series) Andromeda is a Canadian-American science fiction television series, based on unused material by the late Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry, developed by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, and produced by Roddenberry's widow, Majel Barrett Roddenberry. It starred Kevin Sorbo as High Guard Captain Dylan Hunt... " |
Ryan | 2.20 "The Knight, Death and the Devil" |
| 2002 | "Mataku" | Dr. Forbes | 1.5 "The Final Plume" |
| 2003 | "Good Morning" | Himself | |
| 2003 | "Shortland Street Shortland Street Shortland Street is a New Zealand prime-time soap opera, first broadcast on Television New Zealand's TV2 on 25 May 1992. It is the country's longest-running drama and soap opera, being broadcast continuously for over 4500 episodes and 19 years, and is one of the most watched television programs in... " |
Greg Vicelich | |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm Power Rangers: Ninja Storm Power Rangers Ninja Storm is an incarnation of the Power Rangers franchise, based on the Super Sentai series Ninpuu Sentai Hurricaneger. This is the first season to be filmed in New Zealand and also the second season to be under the BVS copyright... " |
"D.J. Drummond" (voice) | 1.20 "Good Will Hunter" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.27 "Shane's Karma: Part 2" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.30 "The Wild Wipeout" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.31 "Double-Edged Blake" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.33 "General Deception, Part I" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.34 "General Deception, Part II" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.35 "A Gem of a Day" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.36 "Down and Dirty" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.37 "Storm Before the Calm, Part I" |
| 2003 | "Power Rangers: Ninja Storm" | "Vexacus" (voice) | 1.38 "Storm Before the Calm, Part II" |
| 2005 | "Power Rangers: S.P.D. Power Rangers: S.P.D. Power Rangers S.P.D. is the 2005 incarnation of the Power Rangers television series, adapted from the Super Sentai series Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger. It is also the title for the Korean dub of Dekaranger in South Korea, whose logo is similar to the American series. S.P.D... " |
Silverhead (voice) | 1.28 "Robotpalooza" |
| 2005 | "Frontseat" | Himself | 2.24 |
| 2009 | "Legend of the Seeker Legend of the Seeker Legend of the Seeker is a television series based on The Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind. Distributed in U.S. by Disney-ABC Domestic Television, ABC Studios produced the series, which was its first foray into broadcast syndication, with Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Joshua Donen, Ned Nalle and... " |
Amfortas | 1.13 "Revenant" |
Director
| Year | Title | Other Notes |
| 1994 | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | |
| 1996 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 3.01 "Mercenary") |
| 1997 | Amazon High | TV |
| 1997 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 2.15 "A Day in the Life") |
| 1997 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 4.08 " . . . And Fancy Free") |
| 1998 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 4.17 "One Fowl Day") |
| 1998 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 5.01 "Faith") |
| 1998 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 5.07 "Somewhere Over the Rainbow Bridge") |
| 1998 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 4.06 "A Tale of Two Muses") |
| 1999 | "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" | (TV Series) (episode 5.15 "Greece is Burning") |
| 2000 | "Jack of All Trades" | (TV Series) episode 2.04 "The Morning After" |
| 2000 | "Jack of All Trades" | (TV Series) episode 2.06 "One, Two, Three, Give Me Lady Liberty" |
| 2000 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 5.16 "Life Blood") |
| 2000 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 5.18 "Anthony & Cleopatra") |
| 2000 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 6.04 "Who's Gurkhan") |
| 2000 | Jubilee | |
| 2001 | "Xena: Warrior Princess" | (TV Series) (episode 6.15 "To Helicon and Back") |
| 2001 | Love Mussel | TV |
| 2004 | Treasure Island Kids: The Mystery of Treasure Island | |
| 2006 | The Darkroom | |
| 2007 | Pumpkinhead:Blood feud | |
| 2009 | Legend of the Seeker | (TV Series) (episode 1.08 "Denna") |
| 2009 | Legend of the Seeker | (TV Series) (episode 1.10 "Sacrifice") |
| 2009 | Legend of the Seeker | (TV Series) (episode 1.22 "Reckoning") |
| 2010 | Legend of the Seeker | (TV Series) (episode 2.17 "Vengeance") |
| 2010 | Legend of the Seeker | (TV Series) (episode 2.21 "Unbroken") |
| 2010 | Spartacus: Blood and Sand Spartacus: Blood and Sand Spartacus: Blood and Sand is a Starz television series that premiered on January 22, 2010. The series is inspired by the historical figure of Spartacus , a Thracian gladiator who from 73 to 71 BC led a major slave uprising against the Roman Republic. Executive producers Steven S... |
(TV Series) (episode 1.05 "Shadow Games") |
| 2010 | Spartacus: Blood and Sand | (TV Series) (episode 1.09 "Whore") |
| 2010 | Spartacus: Blood and Sand | (TV Series) (episode 1.12 "Revelations") |
| 2011 | Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Spartacus: Gods of the Arena Spartacus: Gods of the Arena is a Starz television mini-series and prequel to Spartacus: Blood and Sand, which premiered January 21, 2011. The series follows the character Gannicus , the first gladiator to become Champion of Capua representing Lentulus Batiatus... |
(TV Series) (episode 1.03 "Paterfamilias") |
Writer
| Year | Title | Other Notes |
| 1994 | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | Screenplay |
External links
- Michael Hurst's Official Website with his curriculum vitae
- Michael Hurst interview with his wife Jennifer Ward-Lealand for the Cultural Icons project. Audio and video.
- Michael Hurst Now: Michael Hurst's Projects Since Hercules The Legendary Journeys
- Maddigan's Quest: Official Site