John Corbett

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

John Corbett
Corbett in March 2019
Born
John Joseph Corbett Jr.

(1961-05-09) May 9, 1961 (age 62)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • singer
  • musician
Years active1987–present
Spouse
(m. 2020)

John Joseph Corbett Jr. (born May 9, 1961)[1] is an American actor and country music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles as Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure (1990–1995), Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City (2000–2003), Max Gregson on United States of Tara (2009–2011), and Seth Holt on Parenthood (2011–2015). In film, he is known for roles in the My Big Fat Greek Wedding franchise, Raising Helen (2004), The Messengers (2007), Sex and the City 2 (2010), Ramona & Beezus (2010), and the To All the Boys film trilogy (2018–2021).

In addition to acting, Corbett has pursued a career in country music, releasing the studio albums John Corbett (2006) and Leaving Nothin' Behind (2013) with the former reaching number 45 on the Billboard Country Albums chart.

Early life[edit]

Corbett was raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.[2] He grew up in an apartment block near the Ohio River with his mother and stepfather, both of whom worked at his uncle Phillip's music club.[3] Corbett was raised Catholic, and was an altar boy for seven years at St. Joseph's Cathedral.[4] His father was raised in Bellaire, Ohio, and was a member of the Jehovah's Witnesses.[5][6] Corbett's mother was Jewish through her father who was of Russian-Jewish descent.[5][7][8]

Corbett started playing the guitar at age seven, and at 16, he worked as a security guard at the Capitol Music Hall.[9] He attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School, from which he graduated in 1979.[10]

Following his graduation from high school, Corbett moved to Bellflower, California to live with his father and stepmother, and worked for Kaiser Steel in Fontana for six years.[4][11] During his time as a hydrotester in the factory, he spent a year training to become an L.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 at Cerritos College in Norwalk, 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 a Samsung commercial, and after three years, had starred in 50 national commercials.[15]

Career[edit]

Acting[edit]

Corbett at the 44th Primetime Emmy Awards in August 1992

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 of ABC's comedy-drama series The Wonder Years. For this appearance, he was credited as Jack Corbett. From 1990 to 1995, he starred as Chris Stevens in the CBS comedy-drama series Northern Exposure, for which he was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film and the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.[16]

Corbett played the leading role of Adam MacArthur, in 1997's short-lived Fox science fiction series The Visitor, for which he was nominated for the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television. His character, who was abducted by aliens, finds his way back to Earth 50 years later, endowed with special powers. From 2001 to 2002, he portrayed the love interest of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), Aidan Shaw, in the HBO comedy series Sex and the City,[17] for which he received his second nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film.[18] In 2001 he also had a supporting role in the romantic comedy film Serendipity, starring John Cusack.[citation needed] In 2002, Corbett portrayed the male lead role of Ian Miller in the romantic comedy film My Big Fat Greek Wedding, alongside Nia Vardalos (who also wrote the screenplay), for which he was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award.[19]

In 2003, he starred in the FX dark comedy series Lucky, as professional poker player Michael "Lucky" Linkletter. The following year, he starred alongside Kate Hudson in Garry Marshall's comedy-drama film Raising Helen. He then portrayed music teacher Mr. Torvald in the 2004 musical drama film Raise Your Voice, co-starring Hilary Duff. Three years later, he had a starring role in the Pang brothers horror film The Messengers (2007).[20] Additionally, Corbett starred in the 2007 Lifetime television film Montana Sky, and co-starred as a corrupt LAPD vice squad member in the 2008 David Ayer-directed crime thriller Street Kings. The following year, he reunited with his My Big Fat Greek Wedding co-star Nia Vardalos for the romantic comedy I Hate Valentine's Day (2009), which Vardalos also wrote and directed.[21] In 2009, he also co-starred in the Brian Herzlinger-directed comedy film Baby on Board.[22]

From 2009 to 2011, Corbett co-starred in the Showtime comedy-drama series United States of Tara as Max Gregson, the husband of Toni Collette's title character.[23] In 2010, Corbett reprised his role as Aidan Shaw in the Sex and the City feature film sequel Sex and the City 2.[24] That same year, he starred as Tom Marks in the Hallmark seasonal television film November Christmas, alongside Sam Elliott and Sarah Paulson, and portrayed Robert Quimby in Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum's family comedy film Ramona and Beezus, based on the Ramona novel series.[25] Corbett was inducted into the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in June 2011.[26]

Corbett at the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2015

From 2011 to 2015, he had a recurring role as Seth Holt on the NBC drama series Parenthood.[27][28][29] In March 2013, Corbett appeared in two episodes of the CBS procedural drama series NCIS: Los Angeles as Special Agent Roy Haines; it was considered to be a planted pilot episode for a spin-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 for Applebee's television commercials and, since 2012, has been the voice for Walgreens' television and radio advertisements.[32] In 2014, Corbett appeared alongside Sarah Bolger in Jeff Probst's drama film Kiss Me.[33] The following year, he starred as Garrett Peterson, opposite Jennifer Lopez, in the Rob Cohen-directed erotic thriller The Boy Next Door.[34]

From 2015 to 2016, he portrayed Josiah "Flash" Bacon in the FX comedy series Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll.[35] In 2016, fourteen years after My Big Fat Greek Wedding was released, Corbett returned for the sequel My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2.[36] In 2017, he portrayed the main role of Michael Spurlock, a pastor who welcomes Karen refugees to his church, in the Steve Gomer-directed drama film All Saints.[37] Corbett then had a guest starring role as himself in the eighth and final season of IFC's comedy series Portlandia.[38] He portrayed Dr. Dan Covey, the father of Lana Condor's lead character, in the film adaptation of Jenny Han's novel To All the Boys I've Loved Before (2018), directed by Susan Johnson.[39] Corbett starred in God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness (2018), as lawyer Pearce Hill.

In 2019, Corbett starred in John R. Leonetti's film adaptation of Tim Lebbon's horror novel The Silence, with Miranda Otto and Stanley Tucci.[40] He also co-starred with Nia Long in the horror sequel 47 Meters Down: Uncaged.[41] In 2023 he reprised his role as Aidan Shaw in the Sex and the City reboot And Just Like That.

Music[edit]

In 1993, Corbett starred in the Jeff Richter-directed music video for the Scorpions single "Woman", opposite Karina Lombard. In September 2004, it was reported that Corbett had signed a recording contract with Nashville-based country music label Broken Bow Records.[42] He released his self-titled debut album, co-produced by D. Scott Miller and Tara Novick, on April 4, 2006,[43] and went on tour with ZZ Top, Lisa Marie Presley, and Charlie Daniels to promote the record.[44] The album's only single, "Good to Go", debuted at No. 48 on the Billboard Hot 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 by Kevin Kerslake. The album itself reached No. 45 on the Country Albums chart, and peaked at No. 21 on the Independent Albums chart.[46] In 2008, Corbett was featured in Trisha 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 by Jon Randall, on January 29, 2013.[48][49]

Personal life[edit]

Corbett was raised Catholic and "dabbled" in born-again Christianity in the 1980s "before returning to his Catholic roots."[50] He has been in a relationship with actress Bo Derek since 2002, after meeting on a blind date.[51] They married in December 2020.[52] The couple live on a ranch in Santa Ynez, California.[53]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1991 Flight of the Intruder "Big Augie"
1993 Tombstone Johnny Barnes
1996 Wedding Bell Blues Cary Maynard Philco
1997 Volcano Norman Calder
2000 Dinner Rush Ken Roloff
Desperate But Not Serious Jonathan Silver
2001 Prancer Returns Tom Sullivan
Serendipity Lars Hammond
2002 My Big Fat Greek Wedding Ian Miller
2003 My Dinner with Jimi Henry Diltz
2004 Raising Helen Dan Parker
Elvis Has Left the Building Miles Taylor
Raise Your Voice Mr. Torvald
2005 Bigger Than the Sky Michael Degan
Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D Jack Schmitt Documentary short
2006 Dreamland Henry
2007 The Messengers John Burwell
2008 Street Kings Detective Dante Demille
The Burning Plain John
2009 Baby on Board Danny Chambers
I Hate Valentine's Day Greg Gatlin
2010 Sex and the City 2 Aidan Shaw
Ramona and Beezus Robert Quimby
2014 Kiss Me Chance
The Lookalike Bobby Zan
2015 The Boy Next Door Garrett Peterson
2016 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 2 Ian Miller
My Dead Boyfriend Primo Schultz
2017 All Saints Michael Spurlock
2018 God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness Pearce Hill
To All the Boys I've Loved Before Dr. Dan Covey
2019 The Silence Glenn
Gully Mr. Charlie
47 Meters Down: Uncaged Grant
2020 To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You Dr. Dan Covey
2021 To All the Boys: Always and Forever Dr. Dan Covey
2023 My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Ian Miller
TBA On Fire Dennis

Television[edit]

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

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US Country US Heat US Indie
John Corbett
  • Release date: April 4, 2006
  • Label: Fun Bone/Co5
45 19 21
Leaving Nothin' Behind
  • Release date: February 5, 2013
  • Label: Fun Bone/Co5
"—" denotes releases that did not chart

Singles[edit]

Year Single Peak positions Album
US Country
2006 "Good to Go" 43 John Corbett

Music videos[edit]

Year Title Artist Director Ref.
1993 "Woman" Scorpions Jeff Richter [55]
2005 "Bottle of Whiskey" Himself Kevin Kerslake [56]
2006 "Good to Go" [57]
2008 "This Is Me You're Talking To" Trisha Yearwood Trey Fanjoy [47]

Awards and nominations[edit]

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


References[edit]

  1. ^ "John Corbett". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2008. Archived from the original on January 15, 2008. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  2. ^ Comins, Linda (August 24, 2017). "Wheeling Native John Corbett Secures Hometown Opening For Film". The Intelligencer and Wheeling News Register.
  3. ^ Woods, Eric (March 4, 2011). "John Corbett combines acting with lifelong love of music". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Corbett, John (July 18, 2017). "John Corbett: The Importance of Saying Yes". Guideposts.
  5. ^ a b "Opinion | John Corbett: Faith-based movies aren't really new in Hollywood". NBC News. April 2018. I was raised Catholic and I was an altar boy, though my father was a Jehovah's Witness and my mother was Jewish.
  6. ^ a b Babka, Allison (October 9, 2013). "Get To Know Singer/Actor John Corbett Before Tonight's Show at The Gramophone". Riverfront Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved November 30, 2013. 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.
  7. ^ Johnson, Neala (March 19, 2016). "John Corbett: the Big Fat Greek husband Nia Vardalos went to the ends of the earth to find". The Herald Sun. 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.
  8. ^ Brasher, Joan. "John Corbett". The Fish. Retrieved February 11, 2011.
  9. ^ "John Corbett: 'City' man goes country". Gainesville Sun. July 14, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  10. ^ Vaughn, Cliff (October 6, 2004). "Actor John Corbett Remembers Teachers' Influence". EthicsDaily.com.
  11. ^ Furlong, Maggie (January 28, 2012). "John Corbett On 'A Smile As Big As The Moon,' Playing Mike Kersjes And Why He Almost Wasn't An Actor". HuffPost. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  12. ^ Murray, Rebecca (April 7, 2008). "Keanu Reeves, John Corbett, Amaury Nolasco and Jay Mohr Talk 'Street Kings'". About.com. The New York Times Company. Archived from the original on July 31, 2017. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  13. ^ Matsumoto, Jon (September 14, 1997). "John Corbett Plays With The Paranormal As Fox's 'The Visitor'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  14. ^ Romanek, Bethany A. (January 15, 2006). "John Corbett Finds Peace of Mind in Ohio Valley". The Intelligencer Wheeling News Register. Archived from the original on October 1, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  15. ^ Johnson, Kevin C. (October 3, 2013). "Corbett doesn't mind being billed as the guy from 'Sex and the City'". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  16. ^ Hastings, Deborah (July 16, 1992). "'Northern Exposure' And NBC Lead The Pack For 44th Emmy Awards". Chicago Tribune.
  17. ^ Wethington, Jessica (June 6, 2001). "Emmy performers: John Corbett". Variety.
  18. ^ "Golden Globes: 2002 winners in full". BBC News. December 20, 2001.
  19. ^ Holguin, Jaime (January 28, 2003). "'Chicago' Nabs 5 Nods From SAG". CBS News.
  20. ^ "Pang Brothers and Ghost House Announce Casting of Untitled Pang Brothers Project". Sony Pictures (Press release). June 29, 2005. Archived from the original on August 30, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  21. ^ Goldstein, Gregg (May 14, 2008). "Nia Vardalos, John Corbett rekindle romance". The Hollywood Reporter.
  22. ^ Goldstein, Gregg (February 14, 2008). "'Baby' boom: Graham, O'Connell among cast". The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 19, 2008). "Corbett joins 'Tara' pilot". The Hollywood Reporter.
  24. ^ "John Corbett Admits Aidan Shaw Is In 'Sex And The City 2'". Access Hollywood. March 25, 2010.
  25. ^ Kit, Borys; Fernandez, Jay A. (March 3, 2009). "Trio book roles in 'Ramona'". The Hollywood Reporter.
  26. ^ Kilday, Gregg (March 3, 2009). "Academy Invites 178 Artists and Execs as New Members". Backstage.
  27. ^ Ausiello, Michael (December 17, 2010). "John Corbett Lands Arc on NBC's 'Parenthood'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  28. ^ Ausiello, Michael (August 2, 2011). "Parenthood Exclusive: John Corbett Returning For Major Arc". TVLine.
  29. ^ Stanhope, Kate (November 26, 2013). "Parenthood Exclusive: John Corbett Books Return Appearance". TV Guide. Retrieved November 29, 2013.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 6, 2013). "John Corbett To Star In 'NCIS: LA' Spinoff". Deadline Hollywood.
  31. ^ Furlong, Maggie (January 28, 2012). "John Corbett On 'A Smile As Big As The Moon,' Playing Mike Kersjes And Why He Almost Wasn't An Actor". HuffPost.
  32. ^ Elliott, Stuart (September 17, 2012). "Q. and A. with Stuart Elliott". The New York Times. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  33. ^ Kit, Borys (January 11, 2012). "Jeff Probst-Directed Indie Drama to Star John Corbett and Sarah Bolger". The Hollywood Reporter.
  34. ^ Yamato, Jen (October 14, 2013). "John Corbett Joins Blumhouse J. Lo Thriller 'The Boy Next Door'". Deadline Hollywood.
  35. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 7, 2014). "John Corbett To Co-Star In Denis Leary's FX Pilot 'Sex&Drugs&Rock&Roll'". Deadline Hollywood.
  36. ^ Kit, Borys (May 27, 2014). "Nia Vardalos, Playtone Reuniting for 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' Sequel". The Hollywood Reporter.
  37. ^ "John Corbett & Cara Buono Talk New Movie All Saints Based Off a True Story". People. August 21, 2017.
  38. ^ Longo, Chris (September 7, 2017). "Portlandia Season 8 Release Date Set And Cast Details Revealed". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on December 18, 2017. Retrieved September 8, 2017.
  39. ^ Jarvey, Natalie (July 21, 2017). "John Corbett, Lana Condor Join 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before' Film (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 22, 2017.
  40. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (August 29, 2017). "Miranda Otto & John Corbett Cast In John R. Leonetti's 'The Silence'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved August 30, 2017.
  41. ^ Vlessing, Etan (December 10, 2018). "Nia Long, Corinne Foxx Topline '47 Meters Down' Sequel". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  42. ^ Evans Price, Deborah (September 30, 2004). "John Corbett Signs With Broken Bow". Billboard.
  43. ^ "Corbett Releases Debut Album". Country Music Television. April 4, 2006.
  44. ^ "John Corbett's new role: musician". Today.com. February 24, 2006.
  45. ^ "John Corbett: Actor takes a stab at the role of country music star". Billboard. February 8, 2006. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  46. ^ "John Corbett – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved August 29, 2017.
  47. ^ a b Darden, Beville (May 28, 2008). "'Sex and the City' Star Stands in for Garth Brooks". The Boot.
  48. ^ Myers, Jim (February 28, 2013). "John Corbett shows love for country music on new album". The Tennessean. Retrieved November 30, 2013.
  49. ^ "John Corbett releases second country album". Daily Express. January 7, 2013.
  50. ^ Savitsky, Sasha (August 24, 2017). "John Corbett: I have a strong belief in God". Fox News.
  51. ^ Ingrassia, Lisa (May 24, 2010). "John Corbett: Sex and the Country". People.
  52. ^ @TheTalkCBS (August 3, 2021). "🚨Breaking News!🚨John Corbett reveals exclusive breaking news about his relationship with Bo Derek to the hosts, in…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  53. ^ Nepales, Reuben V. (March 18, 2016). "John Corbett on life with Bo Derek, kissing Nia Vardalos anew". Inquirer.net.
  54. ^ George, Crystal (May 16, 2023). "XO, Kitty cast guide: Who stars in the To All the Boys spin-off series?". Netflix Life. Netflix. Retrieved May 19, 2023.
  55. ^ Russell, Deborah (February 19, 1994). "Blood Sucker". Billboard. p. 40.
  56. ^ "CMT: Videos: John Corbett: Bottle of Whiskey". Country Music Television. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  57. ^ "CMT: Videos: John Corbett: Good to Go". Country Music Television. Retrieved August 29, 2017.

External links[edit]