Ryan Hurst Joins God of War Live-Action Casting News
About the People Mentioned
Ryan Hurst
Ryan Hurst is an American actor born on June 19, 1976, in Santa Monica, California.[4] He grew up in a Hollywood family and began his acting career in 1993, appearing in NBC's "Saved by the Bell: The New Class."[3] Hurst carved a niche playing earnest athletes, soldiers, and law enforcement officers.[1] His early notable roles included a paratrooper in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" (1998) and a tragic linebacker in Disney's "Remember the Titans" (2000), the latter marking a significant breakout performance opposite Denzel Washington.[2] He expanded his film credits with roles in "We Were Soldiers" (2002) with Mel Gibson, "Patch Adams" with Robin Williams, the Coen Brothers' "The Ladykillers" (2004) with Tom Hanks, and the animated feature "Rango" with Johnny Depp.[2] His most acclaimed role came in 2008 when he joined FX's "Sons of Anarchy" as Opie Winston, a thoughtful and increasingly conflicted member of an outlaw biker gang.[1] This performance earned him a Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role in Season 4.[2] The series, which ran until 2014, established him as a fan-favorite and demonstrated his ability to bring depth to complex characters.[1] Beyond acting, Hurst has worked extensively behind the camera. He founded The Viking Underground Repertory, an equity theater production company in Los Angeles, and won a Backstage West Garland Award for Best Performance in a Comedy for "The Last Night of Ballyhoo" (1998).[2][3] He directed second unit footage for "Remember the Titans" and has directed episodes of "Sons of Anarchy."[2] Hurst also owns Fast Shoes Productions with his wife, Molly Cookson.[2] His television work includes recurring roles in NBC's "Medium" (2005-2007) and appearances in series such as "Bates Motel" and "The Walking Dead," where he played the character Beta.[3][4] Hurst remains recognized as a versatile performer capable of delivering compelling performances across film, television, and stage.
About the Organizations Mentioned
Perplexity
Perplexity AI is a pioneering software company founded in 2022 by Aravind Srinivas, Denis Yarats, Johnny Ho, and Andy Konwinski. It specializes in developing a sophisticated web search engine that leverages large language models to provide direct, context-aware answers to user queries. This innovative approach positions Perplexity as an "answer engine," distinct from traditional search engines by focusing on conversational responses supported by real-time web data and source citations[1][4]. **History and Key Achievements:** Perplexity has quickly gained recognition for its cutting-edge technology, integrating multiple large language models, including GPT-4 and proprietary models. This allows users to select the best model for their needs, enhancing research quality and scope[3]. The company has made significant strides in offering real-time coverage for live events, such as sports and elections, by integrating data feeds and structured information[5]. **Current Status:** As of July 2025, Perplexity AI was valued at $18 billion, reflecting its rapid growth and potential in the AI sector[1]. Despite legal challenges related to content use and copyright infringement, Perplexity continues to innovate, expanding its capabilities through strategic acquisitions, such as the integration of Carbon to connect AI systems with external data sources[5]. **Notable Aspects:** Perplexity's platform is notable for its hybrid approach, combining the strengths of AI chatbots and search engines. It offers a personalized search experience with features like document importation and image generation, making it a valuable tool for research and content creation[5]. However, the company faces increasing competition from tech giants like Google and Microsoft, which are also developing AI-powered search tools[4]. Despite these challenges, Perplexity remains a leader in the AI search space, continuously evolving to meet user needs and stay ahead in the global AI race[3].
