NZ Herald article: memorial service announced
Susan M. Sanders
23.02.2002
Auckland's acting community is planning a special farewell for colleague
Kevin Smith, who died in China last week.
Details are still being decided, but Smith's friend, actor and director
Michael Hurst, said fans would be welcome at the memorial at the Aotea
Centre on Thursday.
Smith, 38, known worldwide for his roles in Xena: Warrior Princess and
Hercules, died of head injuries in a Chinese hospital last Saturday, 10
days after a fall from a film-set castle.
His family are understood to be bringing his body home this weekend.
They plan a private funeral in his home town of Timaru.
Hurst, Auckland Theatre Company head Simon Prast and Xena star Lucy
Lawless are among those organising the memorial. They are also
discussing setting up a trust fund in the actor's name. The trust may
benefit the family - wife Suzanne and three young sons - or his
profession.
Hurst, who was at a Xena convention in the United States when news of
Smith's death came through, said the 4000 to 5000 fans there began a
collection that raised about $US25,000 ($60,000) for his family. That
money has been placed in a trust account until a decision is made about
how it may be used.
Smith was a favourite at conventions overseas and also supported
charitable work, including encouraging education among sick teenagers.