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Entertainment • Actor

Ryan Hurst

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

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Ryan Hurst is an American actor born June 19, 1976, in Santa Monica, California. He is best known for his roles in film, television, and video games, including Gerry Bertier in Remember the Titans, Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy, and Beta in The Walking Dead.

Early life and background

Ryan Hurst was born in Santa Monica, California, on June 19, 1976. He is the son of actor Rick Hurst and acting teacher Candace Kaniecki.

Acting career

Hurst began acting in the 1990s and became known for playing physically imposing characters in film and television. His breakout roles included Gerry Bertier in Remember the Titans and Opie Winston in Sons of Anarchy.

Notable television roles

His television credits include Taken, Sons of Anarchy, Bates Motel, The Walking Dead, Medium, and Bosch. He is especially associated with Opie Winston and Beta, two of his most recognized roles.

Video game work

Hurst provided voice performance for Thor in God of War Ragnarök. He has also been reported to be attached to a live-action God of War adaptation as Kratos, though this has not been confirmed.

Key facts

  • Ryan Hurst was born in Santa Monica, California, on June 19, 1976.
  • He is known for portraying Gerry Bertier in Disney’s Remember the Titans.
  • He played Opie Winston in the FX series Sons of Anarchy.
  • He portrayed Beta in The Walking Dead.
  • He voiced Thor in the video game God of War Ragnarök.

Frequently asked 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.
When was Ryan Hurst born?
He was born on June 19, 1976.
Where was Ryan Hurst born?
He was born in Santa Monica, California, United States.
Is Ryan Hurst married?
Biographical listings identify his spouse as Molly Cookson.
Has Ryan Hurst worked in video games?
Yes. He voiced Thor in God of War Ragnarök.

References

  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.