John Corbett | |
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 Corbett in 2019 | |
| Born | John Joseph Corbett Jr. (1961-05-09)May 9, 1961 (age 63) Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse | |
John Joseph Corbett Jr. (born May 9, 1961)[1] is an American actor andcountry music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles asChris Stevens onNorthern Exposure (1990–1995),Aidan Shaw onSex and the City (2000–2003), Max Gregson onUnited States of Tara (2009–2011), and Seth Holt onParenthood (2011–2015). In film, he is known for roles in theMy Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise,Raising Helen (2004),The Messengers (2007),Sex and the City 2 (2010),Ramona & Beezus (2010), and theTo All the Boys film trilogy (2018–2021).
In addition to acting, Corbett has pursued a career in country music, releasing the studio albumsJohn Corbett (2006) andLeaving Nothin' Behind (2013) with the former reaching number 45 on theBillboard Country Albums chart.
Corbett was raised inWheeling, West Virginia, U.S.[2] He grew up in an apartment block near theOhio River with his mother and stepfather, both of whom worked at his uncle Phillip's music club.[3] Corbett was raisedCatholic, and was analtar boy for seven years atSt. Joseph's Cathedral.[4] His father was raised inBellaire, Ohio, and was a member of theJehovah's Witnesses.[5][6] Corbett's mother wasJewish through her father who was ofRussian-Jewish descent.[5][7][8]
Corbett started playing the guitar at age seven, and at 16, he worked as a security guard at theCapitol Music Hall.[9] He attendedWheeling Central Catholic High School, from which he graduated in 1979.[10]
Following his graduation from high school, Corbett moved toBellflower, California to live with his father and stepmother, and worked forKaiser Steel inFontana for six years.[4][11] During his time as a hydrotester in the factory, he spent a year training to become anL.A. County Deputy Sheriff, but ultimately failed the exams.[12] Corbett stopped working at the factory after injuring his back; he subsequently enrolled in hairdressing classes atCerritos College inNorwalk, and also studied acting there.[13] Corbett said, "I went to hair school by day and studied theatre at night."[14] He has been a licensed hair stylist since 1986.[6] He then landed aSamsung commercial, and after three years, had starred in 50 national commercials.[15]
Corbett's first role came in 1988, when he was cast as Louis, the hippie boyfriend of Karen Arnold (Olivia d'Abo) in the first season ofABC's comedy-drama seriesThe Wonder Years. For this appearance, he was credited as Jack Corbett. From 1990 to 1995, he starred as Chris Stevens in theCBS comedy-drama seriesNorthern Exposure, for which he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and thePrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.[16]
Corbett played the leading role of Adam MacArthur, in 1997's short-livedFox science fiction seriesThe Visitor, for which he was nominated for theSaturn Award for Best Actor on Television. His character, who was abducted byaliens, finds his way back to Earth 50 years later, endowed with special powers. From 2001 to 2002, he portrayed the love interest ofCarrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Aidan Shaw, in theHBO comedy seriesSex and the City,[17] for which he received his second nomination for theGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.[18]In 2001 he also had a supporting role in the romantic comedy filmSerendipity, starring John Cusack and Kate Beckinsale.[citation needed] In 2002, Corbett portrayed the male lead role of Ian Miller in the romantic comedy filmMy Big Fat Greek Wedding, alongsideNia Vardalos (who also wrote the screenplay), for which he was nominated for aScreen Actors Guild Award.[19]
In 2003, he starred in theFX dark comedy seriesLucky, as professionalpoker player Michael "Lucky" Linkletter. The following year, he starred alongsideKate Hudson inGarry Marshall's comedy-drama filmRaising Helen. He then portrayed music teacher Mr. Torvald in the 2004 musical drama filmRaise Your Voice, co-starringHilary Duff. Three years later, he had a starring role in thePang brothers horror filmThe Messengers (2007).[20] Additionally, Corbett starred in the 2007Lifetime television filmMontana Sky, and co-starred as a corrupt LAPD vice squad member in the 2008David Ayer-directed crime thrillerStreet Kings. The following year, he reunited with hisMy Big Fat Greek Wedding co-star Nia Vardalos for the romantic comedyI Hate Valentine's Day (2009), which Vardalos also wrote and directed.[21] In 2009, he also co-starred in theBrian Herzlinger-directed comedy filmBaby on Board.[22]
From 2009 to 2011, Corbett co-starred in theShowtime comedy-drama seriesUnited States of Tara as Max Gregson, the husband ofToni Collette's title character.[23] In 2010, Corbett reprised his role as Aidan Shaw in theSex and the City feature film sequelSex and the City 2.[24] That same year, he starred as Tom Marks in theHallmark seasonal television filmNovember Christmas, alongsideSam Elliott andSarah Paulson, and portrayed Robert Quimby inElizabeth Allen Rosenbaum's family comedy filmRamona and Beezus, based on theRamona novel series.[25] Corbett was inducted into theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2011.[26]
From 2011 to 2015, he had a recurring role as Seth Holt on the NBC drama seriesParenthood.[27][28][29] In March 2013, Corbett appeared in two episodes of the CBS procedural drama seriesNCIS: Los Angeles as Special Agent Roy Haines; it was considered to be a planted pilot episode for aspin-off series focusing on his character, but this was ultimately not produced.[30] In 2012, he portrayed teacher Mike Kersjes in the Hallmark television film based on the memoir of the same name,A Smile as Big as the Moon.[31] Corbett provided the voiceover forApplebee's television commercials and, since 2012, has been the voice forWalgreens' television and radio advertisements.[32] In 2014, Corbett appeared alongsideSarah Bolger inJeff Probst's drama filmKiss Me.[33] The following year, he starred as Garrett Peterson, oppositeJennifer Lopez, in theRob Cohen-directed erotic thrillerThe Boy Next Door.[34]
From 2015 to 2016, he portrayed Josiah "Flash" Bacon in the FX comedy seriesSex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.[35] In 2016, fourteen years afterMy Big Fat Greek Wedding was released, Corbett returned for the sequelMy Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.[36] In 2017, he portrayed the main role of Michael Spurlock, a pastor who welcomesKarenrefugees to his church, in theSteve Gomer-directed drama filmAll Saints.[37] Corbett then had a guest starring role as himself in the eighth and final season ofIFC's comedy seriesPortlandia.[38] He portrayed Dr. Dan Covey, the father ofLana Condor's lead character, in the film adaptation ofJenny Han's novelTo All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018), directed bySusan Johnson.[39] Corbett starred inGod's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness (2018), as lawyer Pearce Hill.
In 2019, Corbett starred inJohn R. Leonetti's film adaptation ofTim Lebbon's horror novelThe Silence, withMiranda Otto andStanley Tucci.[40] He also co-starred withNia Long in the horror sequel47 Meters Down: Uncaged.[41] In 2023 he reprised his role as Aidan Shaw in theSex and the City rebootAnd Just Like That.
In 1993, Corbett starred in theJeff Richter-directed music video for theScorpions single "Woman", oppositeKarina Lombard. In September 2004, it was reported that Corbett had signed a recording contract withNashville-basedcountry music labelBroken Bow Records.[42] He released hisself-titled debut album, co-produced by D. Scott Miller and Tara Novick, on April 4, 2006,[43] and went on tour withZZ Top,Lisa Marie Presley, andCharlie Daniels to promote the record.[44] The album's only single, "Good to Go", debuted at No. 48 on theBillboardHot Country Songs chart, which was the highest debut by a new artist from an independent label,[45] and later peaked at No. 43. The music video for "Good to Go" was directed byKevin Kerslake. The album itself reached No. 45 on the Country Albums chart, and peaked at No. 21 on theIndependent Albums chart.[46] In 2008, Corbett was featured inTrisha Yearwood's music video for her single "This Is Me You're Talking To".[47]
Seven years after his debut, Corbett released a second country album,Leaving Nothin' Behind, produced byJon Randall, on January 29, 2013.[48][49]
Corbett was raised Catholic and "dabbled" inborn-again Christianity in the 1980s "before returning to his Catholic roots."[50] He has been in a relationship with actressBo Derek since 2002, after meeting on a blind date.[51] They married in December 2020.[52] The couple live on a ranch inSanta Ynez, California.[53]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | The Wonder Years | Louis | "Angel" |
| 1990–1995 | Northern Exposure | Chris Stevens | 110 episodes |
| 1995–1996 | Days of Our Lives | Hospital Administrator | 4 episodes |
| 1996 | Innocent Victims | Tim Hennis | Television film |
| Don't Look Back | Morgan Rose | ||
| The Morrison Murders | Walker Morrison | ||
| 1997–1998 | The Visitor | Adam MacArthur | 13 episodes |
| 1998 | The Warlord: Battle for the Galaxy | Justin Thorpe | Television film |
| 1999 | The Sky's On Fire | Dr. Evan Thorne | |
| 2000 | On Hostile Ground | Matt Andrews | |
| 2000–2003 | Sex and the City | Aidan Shaw | 22 episodes |
| 2001 | Private Lies | David | Television film |
| 2003 | Lucky | Michael Linkletter | 13 episodes |
| Gary the Rat | Frank Spillogotoriettio | "This Is Not a Pipe" | |
| 2005 | Hunt for Justice | Captain John Tanner | Television film |
| 2007 | Montana Sky | Ben McKinnon | |
| 2009–2011 | United States of Tara | Max Gregson | 36 episodes |
| 2010 | November Christmas | Tom Marks | Television film |
| 2011–2015 | Parenthood | Seth Holt | 10 episodes |
| 2011 | Glenn Martin, DDS | Jim "Big Jim" | "Glenn and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance" |
| Ricochet | Duncan Hatcher | Television film | |
| Hunt for the I-5 Killer | Dave Kominek | ||
| 2012 | A Smile as Big as the Moon | Mike Kersjes | |
| 2013 | NCIS: Los Angeles | Roy Haines | 2 episodes |
| 2015–2016 | Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll | Josiah Bacon | 20 episodes |
| 2016–2017 | Still the King | Trayne Crowstown | 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Mata Hari | Rudolph McCloud | |
| 2018 | Portlandia | John Corbett | "Peter Follows P!nk" |
| Undone | Layton Hollingsworth | 3 episodes | |
| 2021 | Rebel | Grady Bello | Main role |
| 2023 | How I Met Your Father | Robert | 3 episodes |
| XO, Kitty | Dr. Dan Covey | 2 episodes[54] | |
| And Just Like That... | Aidan Shaw | Recurring; Season 2 |
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | US Heat | US Indie | ||
| John Corbett |
| 45 | 19 | 21 |
| Leaving Nothin' Behind |
| — | — | — |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country | |||
| 2005 | "Bottle Of Whiskey"[55] | ― | John Corbett |
| "Good to Go" | 43 |
| Year | Title | Artist | Director | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "Woman" | Scorpions | Jeff Richter | [56] |
| 2005 | "Bottle of Whiskey" | Himself | Kevin Kerslake | [57] |
| 2006 | "Good to Go" | [58] | ||
| 2008 | "This Is Me You're Talking To" | Trisha Yearwood | Trey Fanjoy | [47] |
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Primetime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series | Northern Exposure | Nominated |
| 1993 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | ||
| 1995 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | ||
| 1998 | Saturn Award | Best Actor on Television | The Visitor | |
| 2002 | Golden Globe Award | Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film | Sex and the City | |
| 2003 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | My Big Fat Greek Wedding | |
| 2006 | Method Fest Independent Film Festival | Best Supporting Actor | Dreamland | Won |
| 2011 | Prism Award | Outstanding Performance in a Comedy Series | United States of Tara | Nominated |
I was raised Catholic and I was an altar boy, though my father was a Jehovah's Witness and my mother was Jewish.
Without Bellaire, Ohio, I wouldn't be here -- that's where my father's from! I lived five blocks from the Capitol Music Hall in Wheeling and worked there.
I didn't have a father growing up; he split when I was about two. So I was raised by two strong women who thought I was the funniest and cutest kid in the world: my mum Sandy, and her mother, who was a Great Russian Jewish woman named Eldoris.
John Corbett's Official video for his first single 'Bottle of Whiskey'
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