Hercules is the half-god son of Zeus and Alcmene. Throughout his childhood he struggled to find his place in the mortal world. As a half-god, Hercules was stronger than all the other kids his age. His mother’s fling with Zeus didn’t help his popularity. It wasn’t until he attended Cheiron’s academy as a teenager that he finally started to discover the path that would turn him into Greece’s greatest hero.

Hercules has always had a loving, mortal mother in Alcmene. Sadly, his godly father showed no interest in him during his youth -- except for a protection order that prevented the other Olympian gods from killing him. Father and son didn’t even meet until Hercules was nearly an adult. Hercules’ stepmother, the evil goddess Hera, vowed to plague his life with misery because of her husband’s infidelity. His mortal brother, Iphicles, ran away from home because he was jealous of the fact Hercules was half-god.

Attending Cheiron’s academy taught Hercules self-discipline, how to be a noble warrior, and gave him a formal education in everything from mathematics to history. His best friends were Iolaus and Jason. Hercules knew Iolaus growing up in Thebes. The two started out as rivals, but would eventually became inseparable friends. Jason was the Prince of Corinth when he first met Hercules. The friendship between all three would last all their lives. While Jason would become King of Corinth, therefore unable to go on many adventures, Hercules and Iolaus would become traveling companions after they graduated from the academy.

Young Hercules was portrayed by Canadian actor Ryan Gosling for the 50 episodes that made-up the television series. In the direct-to-video pilot movie, Ian Bohen launched the role. Bohen also reprised the role for four guest spots on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” during flashback sequences. “Young Hercules” greatly helped launch Gosling into the spotlight as he would go on to do films with big Hollywood stars like Sandra Bullock and Anthony Hopkins.

Every hero needs a sidekick. Iolaus has been Hercules’ sidekick since the two were teenagers and attended Cheiron’s academy together. But it didn’t start out that way. The two were rivals growing up in Thebes. Hercules was a good samaritan. Iolaus was a member of the Loax gang. After a robbery heist went sour, Iolaus was put on probation when his boss, Cradus, took the fall for him. He had to attend Cheiron’s academy as part of his probation. It was at the academy where Iolaus decided to straighten out his life. His friendships with Hercules and Jason helped him a great deal as the two never let him fall back into his old lifestyle.

Dean O’Gorman portrayed the role of Young Iolaus for both the television series and pilot movie. He also had guest spots as Young Iolaus in three episodes of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”. Dean also portrayed several other characters over the years on both “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess”. In 2003, he guest starred on “Farscape” during two fourth season episodes. His most recent television role was a recurring role in the Australian series “MacLeod’s Daughters”.

In order to prove his worth as the future King of Corinth, teenage Jason attended Cheiron’s academy for several years. He would become the best friend of Hercules and Iolaus. They would have many great adventures as teenagers. Their most famous one was an excursion to the island of Corcinia to retrieve the mythical Golden Fleece, hoping its powers could save Jason’s ailing father King Aeson. While Aeson was saved by the fleece, he was murdered shortly after. Jason would spend some time finishing his training at Cheiron’s academy before he would be crowned King of Corinth. After being crowned, Jason had to give up his life of adventure for a life of politics. During his teenage years Jason would have a fling with a fellow cadet named Lilith. The fling would produce a daughter Lilith named Seska.

American actor Chris Conrad portrayed Jason in both the pilot movie and the television series. He also had three guest spots on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” as Young Jason. Although Conrad decided to retire from acting to become a school teacher, he recently returned to film a role for a movie called “Quebec”.

The late Kevin Smith portrayed the role of Ares, the god of war. Ares is one of Hercules’ archrivals during not only his teens, but also his adult life. The two had many epic battles over the years. On occasion they even had to form an “unholy alliance” when they actually had a common goal. Smith originated the role of Ares on “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess”. Smith will live on for all time as one of the favorites of many fans. He was a great actor, but an even greater man.

Jodie Rimmer portrayed the recurring role of Lilith. Her character came to the academy to learn to be a warrior after she couldn’t save her brother from dying. Lilith would become the Daccuda -- a warrior who upholds the highest ideals of the academy -- during her first year at the school. She would also become a member of the Telequire Amazons. Rimmer has gone on to appear in several New Zealand and Australian shows and movies. Shortly before being cast as Lilith, Rimmer guest starred on “Xena: Warrior Princess” for the third season’s two-part finale. She also portrayed Lilith’s daughter Seska during two episodes of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”.

Veteran New Zealand actor Nathaniel Lees portrayed the role of Cheiron . He appears in many episodes of the series and the pilot movie. Lees also portrayed the role during an episode of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”. Cheiron is a Centaur. He is an honorable warrior that also has a vast knowledge of virtually everything. He has dedicated his life to helping young men and woman find the heroes within themselves. Following his recurring role on “Young Hercules”, Lees would co-star as the Uruk-hai leader Ugluk in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”. He also had a supporting role in both “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions”. Lees is another actor who had plenty of guest spots throughout the years on both “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” and “Xena: Warrior Princess”.

New Zealand beauty Angela Dotchin had the recurring role of Kora. Kora owns and runs the inn where the cadets often hangout. Her secret identity is the Huntress. The Huntress is Artemis’ chosen warrior-servant. Dotchin became a household name for many genre fans after her role as Kora. She would go on to guest star as the mermaid Nautica during two episodes of “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys” during the show’s fifth season. In 2000, Dotchin was cast as the female lead for the Renaissance Pictures “Jack of all Trades” television series. Her co-star on “Jack of all Trades” was Bruce Campbell, who she previously acted alongside during her guest spot on “Xena: Warrior Princess” during that show's third season.