Jackson Hurst
Birth nameJackson Ryan Hurst
Birth dateFebruary 17, 1979 (age 47)[1]
Birth placeHouston, Texas, U.S.
OccupationActor
SpouseStacy Stas (m. 2014)
Years active2006–present
Alma materBaylor University

Jackson Ryan Hurst[2] (born February 17, 1979) is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Grayson Kent on the Lifetime comedy series Drop Dead Diva (2009–2014).

Early life and education

Hurst was born and raised in the Houston area of Texas as the middle of three sons, his brothers are Colin and Michael. He attended St. Pius X High School (and during high school he played football, soccer, basketball, and baseball) and Baylor University, where he majored in international economics and management information systems with a minor in Spanish. After college, Hurst spent a year in Mexico City working for a transport company before beginning a finance career in Houston.[2][3]

Career

Hurst kept his day job in the finance industry, juggling it with acting gigs, until he was offered a role in The Mist in 2007.[3] He appeared in episodes of the television series Inspector Mom in 2006, The Closer in 2009 and NCIS in 2010. Since 2009, Hurst has played Grayson Kent on the Lifetime original comedy series Drop Dead Diva.[4] He also appeared in the films Have Dreams, Will Travel (2007), The Mist (2007) and Shorts (2009). In 2011, Hurst starred in his first leading role in the film A Bird of the Air.[5]

Personal life

Hurst became engaged to actress Stacy Stas in October 2013. They were married in San Juan Capistrano, California, on June 7, 2014. They have three children together: two sons born in 2015 and 2018, and a daughter born in 2020.[6][7]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Soul's MidnightMax
2006WednesdayLukeVideo
2006Striking RangeStan
2007Walking Tall: The PaybackHankUncredited
2007CleanerParamedic
2007Walking Tall: Lone JusticeHankVideo
2007Have Dreams, Will TravelJack
2007The MistJoe Eagleton
2009ShortsMale Employee
2011The Tree of LifeUncle RayUncredited
2011A Bird of the AirLyman
2012Hidden MoonBruce
2016Vanished – Left Behind: Next GenerationEric Harlow
2016Day of ReckoningDavid
2016Hot AirBradley
2017WraithDennis Lukens
2018TightropeMatthewShort film
Also producer
2020Vampire DadRaymond
2024One Fast MoveBobby Tresco

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Inspector MomAndrew1 episode
2006Perfect DisasterWadeDocumentary Series: 1 episode
2008Living ProofJoshTelevision film
2009The CloserSergeant Ryan DunnEpisode: "Dead Man's Hand"
2009–14Drop Dead DivaGrayson KentMain role; 77 episodes
2010NCISZach NelsonEpisode: "Dead Air"
2011Prime SuspectDavid HollisterEpisode: "Bitch"
2012UnforgettableSteve Cioffi Jr.3 episodes
2012ScandalSenator Jacob ShawEpisode: "White Hats Off"
2015CastleHarlan MathisEpisode: "Private Eye Caramba!"
2015Grey's AnatomyThomas ArchibaldEpisode: "Crazy Love"
2016The CatchMario ViscontiEpisode: "Pilot"
2016–17NCIS: Los AngelesCorbin Duggan3 episodes
20189-1-1DanEpisode: "Karma's a Bitch"
2018Sharp ObjectsKirk Lacey6 episodes
2019S.W.A.T.Sgt. Ben SikoraEpisode: "Sea Legs"
2019Truth Be ToldCaleb Lythe2 episodes
2020MessiahJonah Hardwick3 episodes
2022Suitcase Killer: The Melanie McGuire StoryBradley MillerTelevision film
2023True LiesHaroldEpisode: "Public Secrets"[8]

References

  1. ^ "Jackson Hurst: Biography, Latest News & Videos". tvguide.com. May 22, 2010. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  2. ^ "How Do I Know You, Jackson Hurst?". Austin American Statesman. May 22, 2010. Archived from the original on March 17, 2014. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  3. ^ "'A Bird of the Air' Star Jackson Hurst Soars Toward His Dreams". Backstage. October 5, 2011. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  4. ^ "Jackson Hurst as Grayson Kent". Lifetime. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  5. ^ Catsoulis, Jeannette (September 22, 2011). "A Bird of the Air (2011)". The New York Times. Retrieved 2012-06-12.
  6. ^ Claudia Rosenbaum (October 10, 2013). "Drop Dead Diva's Jackson Hurst Engaged to Stacy Stas—Get All the Exclusive Details!". E!. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Erin O'Sullivan (June 7, 2014). "'Drop Dead Diva' Star Jackson Hurst Ties The Knot". Yahoo. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  8. ^ Ayoola, Simbiat (February 2, 2023). "'True Lies' Series Trailer Reveals a Familiar Face From the James Cameron Movie". Collider. Retrieved February 21, 2023.