Maurice Benard

Maurice Benard
Born Mauricio Jose Morales
(1963-03-01) March 1, 1963
Martinez, California, U.S.A
Residence Temecula, California
Other names Maurice Bénard
Occupation Actor
Years active 1987–present
Spouse(s) Paula Smith (m. 1990)
Children 4
Website 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.

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3] His character, Sonny Corinthos, also has the disorder.

Benard and his family live in Temecula, California along with their many pets.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1991 Her Wicked Ways Steve Television film
1991 Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter Desi Arnaz Television film
1992 Ruby Diego
1993 Mi Vida Loca Creeper
1996 To Face Her Past Jesse Molina Television film
1999 Operation Splitsville Frank
1999 Restraining Order Sicko
2000 Crystal Clear Steven
2009 Confession Mitch
2010 The Penny The Penny Voice
2015 The Ghost and the Whale Joseph Hawthorne Television film
2015 Joy Jared
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1987-1990 All My Children Nico Kelly 300 episodes
Nominated — Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Male Newcomer: Daytime
1990 DEA Curro Episode: "Bloodsport"
1991 Stat Jorge Rosario Episode: "Ladyfinger"
1992 Dark Justice Kelly's Mob Boyfriend Episode: "Anniversary"
1993- General Hospital Sonny Corinthos
Jerry Jacks (Masquerading as Sonny Corinthos)
1698 episodes
Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2003)
Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor (1996, 2003, 2005)
Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Actor
Nominated — ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Soap Opera
Nominated — ALMA Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series (2001-2002)
Nominated — ALMA Award for Outstanding Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Nominated — Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1996, 2004, 2006)
Nominated — Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (1997)
Nominated — Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Soap Couple (shared with Vanessa Marcil)
Nominated — Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Couple (shared with Sarah Brown)
2000 Port Charles Sonny Corinthos 2 episodes
2007 General Hospital: Night Shift Sonny Corinthos Episode: "Time Served"

Awards and nominations

List of acting awards and nominations
Year Title Award Category Result
1996 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
1996 General Hospital Soap Opera Digest Award Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor Won
1997 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2003 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Won
2003 General Hospital Soap Opera Digest Award Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor Won
2004 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2005 General Hospital Soap Opera Digest Award Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor Won
2006 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated
2011 General Hospital Daytime Emmy Award Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated

References

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