Michael Hurst (1)

Michael Hurst was born in England but his family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand when he was 8. He is the oldest of three brothers, Mark, Stuart, and Nicholas. Around the age of 14 Michael began to get into theater, doing things for school plays such as acting, directing, and painting sets. After a year at the University of Canterbury he joined the Court Theatre for a two year training program. When he was 22 he was accepted into the Theatre Corporate in Auckland. He spent 7 years working there, making Chair in 1985. Between 1982 and 1991he acted in or directed over 20 plays. In 1987 he became the first New Zealand actor to be contracted to Australia when he won the role of D’Artagnan in the Melbourne Theatre Company production of The Three Musketeers. In 1991 he founded the Watershed Theatre and became known as an authority on Shakespear. He was the first actor cast in 1993 for the Renaissance Pictures interpretation of Hercules. He played the best friend and sidekick of Hercules for 6 years. Michael has acted and directed in the world of television, movies, theater, and radio. He has had a succesful carreer working in acting, directing, writing, dancing, and singing, and stage fight and fencing choreography. He is also a fencing champion.

Michael is married to award-winning New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand and together they have two sons. He and Jennifer are the Patrons of The Auckland Performing Arts Centre.

Film Credits
New Blood (1999)
I'll Make You Happy (1998)
Desperate Remedies (1994)
Dangerous Orphans (1987)
Death Warmed Up (1985)