Michael Hurst

Michael Eric Hurst ONZM (born 20 September 1957) is a British-born New Zealand actor, director, and writer. He gained international recognition for his role as Iolaus in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess. In recent years, Hurst has directed the Starz series Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Ash vs Evil Dead. Born in Lancashire, England, he moved to Christchurch, New Zealand with his family at the age of seven. Hurst attended Papanui High School and the University of Canterbury. He is married to New Zealand actress Jennifer Ward-Lealand and they have two sons. Hurst also starred in New Zealand's first splatter movie, Death Warmed Up, winning the grand prize at a fantasy film festival in Paris.