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July 30, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Screen & Stage • Actor

Ryan Hurst

Ryan Hurst is an American actor best known for roles in film, television, and video games.

Updated July 30, 20261 min readCited sources

Ryan Hurst is an American actor known for physically imposing roles in film, television, and video games. He is widely recognized for playing Gerry Bertier in *Remember the Titans*, Opie Winston in *Sons of Anarchy*, and Beta in *The Walking Dead*.

What it is

Ryan Douglas Hurst was born on June 19, 1976, in Santa Monica, California. He is the son of actor Rick Hurst and acting teacher Candace Kaniecki. Hurst began acting in the 1990s and built a career around memorable supporting characters in major productions.

Key details

Hurst's breakout role was Gerry Bertier in Disney's *Remember the Titans* (2000). He later played Opie Winston in the FX series *Sons of Anarchy* and Beta in *The Walking Dead*. He also voiced Thor in the video game *God of War Ragnarök*. Additional credits include *We Were Soldiers*, *The Ladykillers*, *Bates Motel*, and *Taken*.

Why it matters

Hurst's career spans over three decades, with roles that have become iconic in pop culture. His portrayal of Opie Winston remains a fan favourite, and his voice work in *God of War Ragnarök* expanded his reach into major video game franchises. He continues to be active in the industry.

In short

  • Born June 19, 1976, in Santa Monica, California.
  • Best known for *Remember the Titans*, *Sons of Anarchy*, and *The Walking Dead*.
  • Voiced Thor in *God of War Ragnarök*.
  • Married to Molly Cookson.

Quick questions

Who is Ryan Hurst?
Ryan Hurst is an American actor known for major roles in film, television, and video games.
What is Ryan Hurst best known for?
He is best known for *Remember the Titans*, *Sons of Anarchy*, *The Walking Dead*, and *God of War Ragnarök*.
Has Ryan Hurst worked in video games?
Yes. He voiced Thor in *God of War Ragnarök*.

Sources

  1. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0403652/bio/
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, and notable acting roles.
  2. Wikipedia (German) — https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Hurst
    Supports: Nationality, major roles, and 2026 reported casting information.
  3. Fandango — https://www.fandango.com/people/ryan-hurst-303275/biography
    Supports: Career overview, early work, and major television and film roles.
  4. Wikipedia — https://www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_Hurst
    Supports: Biographical details and prominent roles; used via translated language variants in search results.
  5. Legit.ng — https://www.legit.ng/1324965-ryan-hurst-bio-age-height-wife-net-worth-movies-tv-shows.html
    Supports: Marriage to Molly Cookson and early career claims, though this is a less authoritative secondary source.
  6. TMDb — https://www.themoviedb.org/person/43858-ryan-hurst?language=en-US
    Supports: Known roles, birth date, birthplace, and voice role in God of War Ragnarök.
  7. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/es/name/nm0403652/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, birth name, spouse, and height.