Ryan Hurst is making headlines for stepping into the shoes of 'Kratos' in the highly anticipated live-action series, 'God of War'. Meet his talented wife, Molly Cookson.
Ryan Hurst, son of the late Dukes of Hazzard star Rick Hurst, is entering a bold new era. The actor, who lent his iconic voice to 'Thor' in God of War Ragnarök, and blew the viewers' minds as the loyal 'Opie Winston' in Sons of Anarchy, is now stepping into the shoes of 'Kratos', the brutal Spartan warrior-turned-god in Amazon Prime Video's upcoming live-action God of War series. This role marks the biggest role in his career.
While the internet is buzzing around Hurst's transformed look as the iconic Norse demigod, the attention has shifted to his personal life. Beyond his larger-than-life presence on screen, the 49-year-old actor leads a quiet life with his wife, Molly Cookson. Here's everything to know about the highly talented woman who has kept Hurst grounded all these years.
Although she is not as popular a name as her star husband, Molly Cookson is a talent powerhouse herself. She is an actress and production manager who has quietly followed her creative pursuits mostly behind the camera. Cookson has acted in an indie film named Shouting Secrets and was later featured in season two of the popular drama series, Outsiders, playing 'Eela Shay', a member of the Farrell Clan.
Despite being a talented actress, Cookson likes to maintain a relatively low public profile. Behind the scenes, she is deeply connected in the industry. She, along with Hurst, co-founded their production company, Fast Shoes. Cookson studied music at Loyola Marymount University and has long balanced her creative endeavours while maintaining privacy.
Long before Ryan became a renowned face in Hollywood, he and Molly began their love story. Their relationship dates back to 1994 when they first met while attending Santa Monica High School. They stayed together for more than two decades and were occasionally photographed with Ryan's legendary father, Rick Hurst.
Molly and Ryan tied the knot in May 2005, long before the actor gained recognition as the voice of 'Thor', and later as 'Opie Winston' in Sons of Anarchy. Despite belonging to a high-profile family, the couple has managed to keep their personal life hidden from the spotlight. From what is known about their family life, they are parents to two children whose age and identity remain under wraps. According to IMDb, Hurst and Cookson purchased a sprawling 3,400-square-foot home in Woodland Hills, California, in 2013, for USD 1.71 million.
That's right! Born and raised in a Christian household in Santa Monica, Ryan Hurst publicly embraced Sikhism in the early 2010s, shortly after his rise to fame on Sons of Anarchy. After conversion, he reportedly met his "spiritual brother", Harpreet Singh, a resident of Amritsar, India, who deeply inspired his spiritual journey.
While his on-screen name remains Ryan Hurst, he has adopted a Sikh name, Gobind Seva Singh, as mentioned in his public profile on social media. While it's not known whether Cookson also practices the 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) tradition as her husband, she has largely supported the actor through his spiritual journey.
Ryan (born Ryan Douglas Hurst) is the son of actor Rick Hurst and acting coach Candace Kaniecki. Born in Santa Monica, California, in 1976, he was raised in a Hollywood background, which made him accustomed to the camera and fame from an early age. Long before becoming the voice of 'Thor' in the popular game, Ryan was a teen actor in the 1993 NBC sitcom Saved by the Bell: The New Class. He also played 'Michaelson' in Steven Spielberg's 1998 epic war film, Saving Private Ryan, starring Tom Hanks as the iconic 'Captain John Miller' and Matt Damon as 'Private James Francis Ryan'.
However, the actor rose to private recognition after portraying 'Opie Winston' on Sons of Anarchy, which accelerated his career trajectory in the industry and made him a favourite among the masses. After occasional appearances in shows like Law & Order and 15 episodes as 'Chick Hogan' in Bates Motel, Ryan landed another major lead role as 'Li'l Foster Farrell' in Outsiders. Some of Hurst's standout works include roles on The Walking Dead, SWAT, The Mysterious Benedict Society, and Bosch. Hurst is also set to star in Christopher Nolan's upcoming war epic, The Odyssey, premiering in theatres on July 17, 2026.
After voicing 'Thor', taking on the role of 'Kratos' in the God of War universe marks the biggest role of Hurst's career to date. According to Deadline, the live-action series will closely follow the story of 'Kratos' as he navigates an unchartered territory as a father to his ten-year-old son, 'Atreus'. The complex yet emotional bond is expected to serve as the emotional core of the much-anticipated series.
As Ryan Hurst takes on major roles, his wife, Molly, continues to be the silent pillar supporting his journey, grounding his success with stability and an enduring bond.
Read Next: Meet Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers Forward's Wife, Daniela Who Filed A Paternity Suit Against Him