In The Blink Of An Eye
(Eulogy by Kevin Sorbo, read by Michael Hurst at the Memorial Service in Auckland)
"He's gone." Those were the words of my good friend, Michael Hurst. That's all he could say to me on the phone before breaking down and crying for our lost mate, Kevin Smith. I had already heard the sad news from another dear friend, Eric Gruendemann, but Michael's two words brought reality to my denial and I, too, broke down and cried. "He's gone."
Kevin Smith was my friend in so many ways. As my golfing buddy, we shared hours of entertainment as he hacked his way from bush to bush, rarely seeing the fairway. As a poker pal, he drove me nuts with the need to light a cigar and stink up my house. And as a co-star on the set of Hercules, where we met eight years ago; where we started and defined and polished our friendship.
He played my half-brother, Ares. Laughing our way through long days of filming, rehearsing fake fight scenes that still managed to beat us up, and debating who had the better workout program at the gym. Kevin was a pro through and through. One of the most talented and funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Belying his muscled body and leading man good looks by breaking the typecast and having a brain to match the brawn. He was a class act and he will be missed.
My prayers go to his wife, Sue, and his three boys. May God bless them and help them through these tragic times. I also pray that we, Kevin's friends, learn from this tragedy. I pray that we remember how precious life is and how our lives can be altered so profoundly by one person's death. I pray we remember that kindness, patience, and gratitude go a long way in making for a healthier life. And I pray we remember that hugs and "I love you"s are important because you never know when, or if, you'll get the chance to do those things again.
"He's gone," and a part of all of us is gone with him.
Kevin Sorbo