Actor Who Played Xena's Love Interest Dies
Sat Feb 16,12:44 AM ET
WELLINGTON (Reuters) - A New Zealand actor who played the leather-clad, bicep-bulging God of War, Ares, opposite Xena in the television series "Xena: Warrior Princess" has died in China after a fall.
Kevin Smith, 38, died in hospital late Friday from head injuries he suffered in Beijing, where he had been working on a film production, the NZ government said in a statement.
Smith played Xena's love interest in the fantasy drama based loosely on ancient mythology, which ended filming in New Zealand last year after being broadcast in more than 100 countries.
The NZ government paid tribute to Smith, saying he was "known not only for his enormous talent and amazing beauty, but also for his intelligence and self-effacing humor." The New Zealand Herald reported Smith's next role was to have been in a Bruce Willis movie, "Man of War," to begin filming in Hawaii next month.