Michael Hurst
 |
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 HurstONZM(born 20 September 1957) is a British-born New Zealand actor, director and writer. He is known internationally for acting in the television programsHercules: The Legendary Journeysand companion seriesXena: Warrior PrincessasIolaus.Most recently, he is known for his role in directing theStarzseriesSpartacus: Blood and SandandAsh vs Evil Dead.
Biography
[edit]Hurst was born inLancashire,England, the eldest of three brothers. When he was seven his family moved toChristchurch,New Zealand. He enrolled atPapanui High School,thenUniversity of Canterbury,but for only one year.[citation needed]
He is married to New Zealand actressJennifer Ward-Lealandand they have two sons.[1]
In 1984, Hurst won the lead role of David Blyth'sDeath 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 belowWaiheke 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 ofHeroes,about a band searching for fame.
Crime thrillerDangerous 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'sThe Footstep Man,1993'sDesperate Remedies[3]and 1999'sI'll Make You Happy.
In 1993, he starred alongside AustralianSophie Leeand BritGreg Wisein the TV thrillerTyphon's People.Hurst played a European mystery man uncovering the truth behind corporate genetic meddling. The script was by authorMargaret Mahy.[citation needed]
Hurst went on to co-star inHercules: The Legendary JourneyswithKevin Sorbo,playing sidekick Iolaus to Sorbo's Hercules.[4]
Hurst made his feature debut as a director withJubilee(2000), based on the book by Nepi Solomon. The film starsCliff Curtisas a kind-hearted procrastinator who gets the chance to prove himself by organising a 75th jubilee. Hurst followedJubileeby directingLove Mussel,a one off satire for television. Written byBraindead'sStephen Sinclairand starringKevin Smith,Love Musselis amockumentaryabout a fictional township which erects a monument to a shellfish withViagra-like properties.
In 2003, Hurst was awarded anArts Foundation of New ZealandLaureate Award. In the2005 Queen's Birthday Honours,he was appointed anOfficer 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 2014Edinburgh Festival Fringe,Hurst directedThe Generation of Z: Apocalypseat a purpose-built venue inEast Londonbetween 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 theVariety Artists Club of New Zealandfor his contribution to New Zealand entertainment.[citation needed]
He has also appeared in several solo stage productions includingNo Holds Bard(based on several Shakespearian characters) in 2018,[6]andAn Illiadin 2019.[8]
Filmography
[edit]Starring roles
[edit]| 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 |
Guest-starring roles
[edit]| 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" |
Director
[edit]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) |
Producer
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Spartacus: War of the Damned | TV series |
Writer
[edit]| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 | I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry | Screenplay |
| 1996 | Clown Story | Story |
References
[edit]- ^Mann, Brit (3 February 2019)."At home with actor and director Michael Hurst".Stuff.Retrieved29 January2020.
- ^"Death Warmed Up | Film | NZ On Screen".nzonscreen.Retrieved29 January2020.
- ^McDonald, Dougal (26 February 1994)."Unconventional opera a creative triumph".Canberra Times.Retrieved29 January2020– via Trove.
- ^"See the Cast of 'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' Now!".Closer Weekly.26 January 2020.Retrieved29 January2020.
- ^"Queen's Birthday honours list 2005".Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 6 June 2005.Retrieved28 April2020.
- ^ab"Shakespearean bard Michael Hurst comes to town".Stuff.6 July 2018.Retrieved29 January2020.
- ^Cheesman, Neil (9 March 2015)."Interview with Michael Hurst".London Theatre.
- ^Simei-Barton, Paul (30 May 2019)."Theatre review: Michael Hurst's and Shayne Carter's combined strengths makes for powerful epic".NZ Herald.ISSN1170-0777.Retrieved29 January2020.
External links
[edit]- Official websitewith curriculum vitae
- Michael HurstatIMDb
- Michael Hurst interviewwith his wifeJennifer Ward-Lealandfor theCultural Iconsproject. Audio and video.
- Michael Hurst Now: Michael Hurst's Projects Since Hercules The Legendary Journeys
- Maddigan's Quest: Official Site
- 1957 births
- English male film actors
- English male television actors
- English male stage actors
- English male voice actors
- New Zealand male film actors
- New Zealand male television actors
- New Zealand male stage actors
- New Zealand male soap opera actors
- New Zealand male voice actors
- Male actors from Lancashire
- English emigrants to New Zealand
- Living people
- Officers of the New Zealand Order of Merit
- University of Canterbury alumni
- People educated at Papanui High School