Occupation Actor Role Actor Years active 1987–present Height 1.75 m | Website www.mauricebenard.tv Nationality American Name Maurice Benard Spouse Paula Smith (m. 1990) | |
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Full Name Mauricio Jose Morales Children Joshua James, Heather Rose, Cailey Sofia, Cassidy Rose Movies and TV shows General Hospital, Lucy & Desi: Before th, OC87: The Obsessive Compulsi, Splitsville Similar People Laura Wright, Steve Burton, Anthony Geary, Genie Francis, Nancy Lee Grahn Profiles | ||
Profiles of hope maurice benard by los angeles county department of mental health
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. During the past two decades Benard's character, Sonny, has become one of the central characters on the show.
Contents
- Profiles of hope maurice benard by los angeles county department of mental health
- Maurice benard wins best lead actor at the emmys
- Life and career
- Personal life
- References
Maurice benard wins best lead actor at the emmys
Life and career
Benard was born Mauricio Jose Morales in Martinez, California, the son of Martha, a bank employee, and Humberto Morales, a bakery superintendent. He grew up in San Francisco, California, and is of Salvadorian 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 appeared in television movies including the CBS television movie Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter (1991), in which he portrayed Desi Arnaz. He also starred in the independent film entitled The Ghost and the Whale, executive produced by his wife Paula.
Personal life
Benard married Paula Smith on August 11, 1990. They have four children: Heather Ann (adopted April 20, 2008), Cailey Sofia (born September 18, 1994), Cassidy Rose (born April 18, 1999), and Joshua James (born December 5, 2004). He and his wife adopted his wife's sister's daughter, 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. He made the decision to have the writers make his character, Sonny Corinthos, also have the disorder. Many of the struggles he faces on the show due to the disorder are ones he faced in his own life. Much praise has been given to the show for the realistic depiction.
Benard and his family live in Temecula, California along with their many pets.
