Bacchus and Mephistopheles were two wild and wicked characters from “Xena: Warrior Princess” who always managed to stir up trouble wherever they went. Bacchus was known for his love of wine and revelry, while Mephistopheles was a mischievous demon who loved to cause chaos. Anthony Ray Parker played both characters with great energy and enthusiasm, bringing a unique blend of humor and danger to each role.
Before “Xena,” Parker had an extensive career in film and television, including roles in “The Matrix,” “The Frighteners,” and “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.” He was the perfect choice to play these larger-than-life characters, and his performances always left audiences entertained and wanting more.
Mark Ferguson - Multiple Characters
There have been a handful of actors out there who weren't necessarily known for playing one main role in "Xena: Warrior Princess." Instead, they ended up showing up on the show sporadically, playing a different character on virtually every episode they were in. Mark Ferguson was a prime example of a performer who did just this.
Starting from his time on the "Hercules" shows up until his final appearance on "Xena" in 1999, Ferguson played a staggering six different characters. These were: Hades, Prometheus, Craesus the Centaur, Krykus, Dagnine, and John Smythe. Before "Xena," Ferguson was best known for playing Darryl Neilson on the show "Shortland Street."
Mark Ferguson - Now
While he hasn't been signing up for many acting roles since the turn of the century, Mark Ferguson has still been keeping himself fairly busy in the world of entertainment. Bar one noteworthy exception. The Australian actor did have a minor role as Gil-galad in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring."
Beyond that, though, he's been better known for hosting a couple of popular reality TV shows, such as Australia's edition of "Big Brother" and "The Mole." Ferguson's most recent acting role came in the TV series "Spartacus: War of the Damned," in which he played the character Dominus.
Anthony Ray Parker - Now
Despite his reputation as having played Dozer in "The Matrix" and his credentials in "Xena: Warrior Princess," Anthony Ray Parker just hasn’t been able to catch a break in TV or film since then. His reputation in New Zealand has stayed relatively steady, but that’s about it.
Parker’s most recent TV appearance came in the hit HBO series "Euphoria," albeit in a one-off role. Outside of acting, Parker has had two sons and a daughter, and he owned a café in New Zealand by the name of Club Physical. Elsewhere, Parker has advertised for RealStew, a browser app, and he has also been an advocate for suicide prevention.
Gina Torres - Cleopatra
Cleopatra is the ultimate queen in "Xena: Warrior Princess," played by the fabulous Gina Torres. She's the boss lady of Egypt and a total force to be reckoned with. Cleopatra is smart, sassy, and stylish, always rocking the latest Egyptian-inspired fashion trends. Before landing her role as Cleopatra, Gina Torres had already established herself in Hollywood.
She had appeared in a bunch of cool TV shows, including the popular crime procedural "Law & Order," "M.A.N.T.I.S.," "One Life to Live," and "The Gregory Hines Show," to name a few. But her fortunes took a turn for the best after her appearances in the Hercules TV universe.