Trivia

Appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit "for service to film and the theatre" in 2005

A co-founder and member of the artistic board of The Actors' Program acting school, Auckland, NZ (since 2010).

Married to noted New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand since 1988.

Family moved to Christchurch, New Zealand when he was 7

Recipient of 2003 Laureate Award from the Arts Foundation of New Zealand.

Named "Best Theatre Guy" in Metro magazine's annual Best of Auckland issue (December 2010) for directing and acting in Auckland Theatre Company's production of Cabaret.

Patron of The Auckland Performing Arts Centre, Auckland, NZ (since 2003).

Patron of Young Auckland Shakespeare Company (since 2013).

Patron of Q Theatre, Auckland.

Attended University of Canterbury for 1 year

Named "Best New Zealand Actor" in 2005 Metro magazine reader's poll.

Attended Papanui High School (years F3-F7)

Chair of the Auckland University Students' Association Outdoor Shakespeare Trust (since 2010).

Son, Jack Hurst, was born on January 25, 1997; son, Cameron Hurst (aka Cameron Lane Ward Hurst), was born on December 2, 1999.

Named a New Zealand Entertainer of the Year for 2007 by the New Zealand Herald.

The eldest of three brothers

Along with Kevin Smith, Meighan Desmond, Jason Hoyte and Erik Thomson, he is one of only five actors to play the same character (Charon) in all three series of the Xenaverse: Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (1995), Xena: Warrior Princess (1995) and Young Hercules (1998).