Gerald Urquhart
Actor Gerald Urquhart could be considered of Shortland Street's longest-lasting guest cast characters, having played quirky anesthetist Dr Luke Durville on and off for the last five years.
Durville first arrived on the show in 2007 to play a pivotal role as one of the suspects in the serial killer storyline. The taxidermy-loving, occult-following anesthetist quickly earned a cult fan base and has popped back up in storyline every year since then.
Born and raised in Darfield, Christchurch Urquhart moved to Auckland when he was 13 to attend Auckland Grammar School. After school he gained a Bachelor of Performing and Screen Arts from Unitec.
Television roles in Interrogation, Power Rangers and Legend of the Seeker have kept him busy when he isn't working on Shortland Street , as well as a film role in the 2005 feature film Hidden.
Theatre has always been a major passion for Urquhart and he has performed in an extensive line-up of shows over the years including Homegrown (directed by former Shortland Street actor, Paul Gittins), War and Peace, Darkness Descent and Happy Hour for Miserable Children, a show that won the Best Comedy Award at the Wellington Fringe Festival in 2003. His most recent theatre performance was alongside fellow Shortland Street castmate, Virginie Le Brun in a moving performance of the show Te Awarua, a performance written by well-known New Zealand playwright, Albert Belz.
Urquhart has also continued to work as teacher during his down
time from acting and often relieves at several Auckland High
Schools. He also performs as a DJ at night club events and
parties.
