What is Maurice Benard's Net Worth?
Maurice Benard is a celebrated American actor with a net worth of $2 million. He launched his acting career in 1987 on the soap opera "All My Children". Maurice played a regular role until 1990 and made guest appearances into the '90s. He featured in shows like "DEA", "Stat", and "Dark Justice" before portraying Sonny Corinthos and Jerry Jacks on "General Hospital" in 1993. Benard has made a significant mark with over 1600 episodes on the show. His stellar performance earned him the 2003 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. Additionally, he has received multiple Emmy and Soap Opera Digest Award nominations.
Benard’s film debut was in the 1991 movie "Her Wicked Ways" as Steve. He also played Desi Arnaz in the TV movie "Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter". His versatile acting skills are evident from his varied filmography which includes "Ruby", "Mi Vida Loca", "To Face Her Past", "Restraining Order", "Crystal Clear", "The Penny", and "The Ghost and the Whale". Diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 22, Maurice actively collaborates with Mental Health America to raise awareness. He married Paula Smith in 1990 and they have four children.
Early Life
Maurice Benard was born on March 1, 1963, in Martinez, California to Martha and Humberto Morales. With Nicaraguan and Salvadoran roots, his upbringing in San Francisco was integral to his development. While his mother worked in a bank, his father was a bakery superintendent. After high school, Maurice decided to pursue a career in entertainment, starting as a model before transitioning to acting in the 1980s.
Career
Benard debuted on television in 1987, playing Nico Kelly in ABC's daytime soap opera "All My Children." He stayed with the show until 1990 and received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for his role. His early 1990s included appearances in "DEA", "Stat", and "Dark Justice". In 1993, his career took a pivotal turn when he joined "General Hospital," playing Sonny Corinthos, a manic depressive mobster kingpin. Although initially hesitant to commit to a long-term role, Benard's character resonated deeply with audiences. This was partly due to his own struggle with bipolar disorder, which he requested to be incorporated into his character's storyline.
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Benard's portrayal on "General Hospital" garnered him ten Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning in 2003, 2019, and 2021. He also won three Soap Opera Digest Awards in 1996, 2003, and 2005. His role extended into the 1996 special "General Hospital: Twist of Fate," the spin-off "Port Charles," and "General Hospital: Night Shift" in 2007.
Beyond soap operas, Maurice has been part of numerous films, including "Her Wicked Ways" and "Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter" in 1991. The 1990s saw him in "Ruby," "Mi Vida Loca," "To Face Her Past," "Operation Splitsville," and "Restraining Order." His later projects included "Crystal Clear", "We Married Margo", and "Confession." In 2015, Benard starred in "The Ghost and the Whale" and "Joy." His other notable works are "A Lover Betrayed," "Nightmare Cinema," and playing John Gotti in "Victoria Gotti: My Father's Daughter". His recent appearances include "Equal Standard," "Passions" (2022), "Hold On," and "Duke."
Personal Life
Maurice married Paula Smith on August 11, 1990. The couple has four children: three daughters and one son. They also adopted Paula's younger sister, Heather, following the death of Paula's mother. Benard has been very open about his bipolar disorder diagnosis at 22, incorporating his experiences into his character on "General Hospital." This realistic portrayal has received widespread acclaim, further supported by Maurice’s advocacy for mental health through Mental Health America.
Real Estate
In 2007, Maurice and Paula bought a home in the Hollywood Hills for $1.25 million. They invested heavily in renovations and listed it for sale in September 2010 for $1.55 million, eventually selling it for $1.386 million in February 2011.
