Kevin Smith Farewelled

One of New Zealand’s best loved screen stars, Kevin Smith, dies aged 38, in a Beijing Hospital. Best known for playing Ares in the hit series Xena:Warrior Princess, Smith suffered head injuries in a fall on Feb 6 after filming in the Chinese capital. He was an icon and resident heart-throb in NZ TV, theatre and filmwith over a decade’s worth of roles from Desperate Remedies, Gloss,Shortland Street, Hercules and Channelling Baby. Smith was a charismatic leading man on the brink of wider acclaim who was happy enough to laugh at his beefcake image as “New Zealand’s Sexist Man”. RIP.

Kevin Smith: 16 March 1963 – 15 February 2002