maurice benard

Born Mauricio José Morales in Martinez, California, on March 1, 1963, Maurice Benard began his career in the early 1980s as a model. Uninspired by traditional education, he pursued acting in various theatrical productions in the Bay Area. His television debut came in 1987 as Nico Kelly in the ABC daytime soap opera ‘All My Children,’ a role he held until 1990. Following this, he transitioned to Los Angeles and secured the lead role in the TV movie ‘Lucy and Desi: Before the Laughter,’ portraying Desi Arnaz, and appeared in the feature film ‘Ruby’.

In August 1993, Benard joined the cast of ‘General Hospital’ as Sonny Corinthos, a character he has played for over three decades. This role has garnered him significant acclaim, including the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2003, 2019, and 2021, and multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards. He briefly departed the show in 1998 for a year-long hiatus. Beyond his soap opera work, Benard has appeared in various films and television productions, including an episode of ‘Castle’ in 2016 and the 2015 feature film ‘Joy.’ In 2019, he portrayed John Gotti in the Lifetime crime film ‘Victoria Gotti: My Father’s Daughter.’

Benard is also a prominent advocate for mental health, openly discussing his personal experiences with bipolar disorder, diagnosed at age 22. He has engaged with organizations like the National Mental Health Association (NMHA) for campaigns such as “Bipolar Disorder: Do You Know It?” to educate the public. His advocacy extends to his role on ‘General Hospital,’ where his character Sonny also lives with bipolar disorder, providing a realistic portrayal of the condition on national television. This dedication to raising awareness and his consistent performance across various projects have solidified his career.