- Maurice Benard
-
Maurice Benard 
Born Mauricio Jose Morales
March 1, 1963
Martinez, California, U.S.Occupation Actor Years active 1987–present Spouse Paula Smith (1990-present) Website http://www.mauricebenard.tv Maurice Benard (born March 1, 1963) is an American actor. He is known primarily for his portrayal of romantic mobster Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, a role he has portrayed since 1993.
Contents
Biography
Career
Born Mauricio Jose Morales in Martinez, California and growing up in San Francisco, California, Benard is of Salvadoran and Nicaraguan ethnicity. He started his acting career as Nico on the soap opera All My Children from 1987 to 1990. In addition to guest spots on several television series during the early 1990s, Benard also appeared in television movies including the 1991 CBS television movie Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, in which he portrayed Desi Arnaz. He is now starring in an independent film entitled Confession. Filming began in June 2009.
Benard has also appeared in several feature films including Ruby (1992) and Mi Vida Loca.
Personal life
Benard married Paula Smith on August 11, 1990. They have four children; daughters Cailey Sofia (born September 18, 1994), Cassidy Rose (born April 18, 1999) and son, Joshua James (born December 5, 2004). He and his wife adopted his wife's adopted sister, after her mother's death. His cousin, Marvin Benard, played professional baseball.
Benard was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 22. He has since become a spokesperson for treatment of the disorder with Mental Health America.[1] His character, Sonny Corinthos, also suffers from the disorder.
Benard and his family live in Temecula, California along with their many pets.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes 1992 Ruby Diego 1993 Mi Vida Loca Creeper Alternative title: My Crazy Life 1999 Operation Splitsville Frank Restraining Order Sicko 2000 Crystal Clear Steven 2009 Confession Mitch 2010 The Penny The Penny (voice) Independent Film Television Year Title Role Notes 1987–1990 All My Children Nico Kelly Unknown episodes 1990 DEA Curro 1 episode 1991 Her Wicked Ways Steve Television movie
Alternative title: Lethal CharmLucy & Desi: Before the Laughter Desi Arnaz Television movie Stat Jorge Rosario 1 episode 1992 Dark Justice Kelly's Mob Boyfriend 1 episode 1993–present General Hospital Sonny Corinthos 739 episodes 1996 To Face Her Past Jesse Molina Television movie 2000 Port Charles Sonny Corinthos 2 episodes 2007 General Hospital: Night Shift Sonny Corinthos 1 episode Awards and nominations
Year Award Result Category Series 1989 Soap Opera Digest Awards Nominated Outstanding Male Newcomer: Daytime All My Children 1995 Hottest Soap Couple General Hospital (Shared with Vanessa Marcil) 1996 Won Outstanding Lead Actor General Hospital 2000 Favorite Actor 2001 Nominated Favorite Couple General Hospital (Shared with Sarah Brown) 2003 Won Outstanding Lead Actor General Hospital 2005 Outstanding Lead Actor 1996 Daytime Emmy Award Nominated Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series General Hospital 1997 Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 2003 Won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2004 Nominated Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2006 Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2000 ALMA Award Nominated Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Soap Opera General Hospital 2001 Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama 2002 Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama 2008 Outstanding Performance in a Daytime Drama Series References
- ^ "Soap star Maurice Benard: This rebel has a cause". bphope.com. http://www.bphope.com/Item.aspx?id=41. Retrieved 2009-01-11.
External links
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1994—2003) Michael Zaslow, Guiding Light (1994) · Justin Deas, Guiding Light (1995) · Charles Keating, Another World (1996) · Justin Deas, Guiding Light (1997) · Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless (1998) · Anthony Geary, General Hospital (1999) · Anthony Geary, General Hospital (2000) · David Canary, All My Children (2001) · Peter Bergman, The Young and the Restless (2002) · Maurice Benard, General Hospital (2003)
Complete list: (1974–1983) · (1984–1993) · (1994–2003) · (2004–2013)
Categories:- 1963 births
- Living people
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American film actors
- Actors from California
- People from San Francisco, California
- Daytime Emmy Award winners
- Soap Opera Digest Award winners
- People with bipolar disorder
- Hispanic and Latino American actors
- American people of Nicaraguan descent
- American people of Salvadoran descent
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