Corbin Bernsen

Corbin Dean Bernsen is an American actor, director, producer, and author born on September 7, 1954, in North Hollywood, California. The eldest son of producer Harry Bernsen Jr. and soap opera actress Jeanne Cooper, he attended Beverly Hills High School, graduating in 1972. Bernsen continued his education at the University of California, Los Angeles, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 1977 and a Master of Fine Arts in Playwriting in 1979.

Bernsen began his acting career with a two-year appearance on the soap opera Ryan's Hope. His major breakthrough came in 1986 when he was cast as divorce attorney Arnold Becker in the Steven Bochco television series L.A. Law. His performance throughout the show's run until 1994 brought him widespread recognition, earning him nominations for an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award, as well as features on magazine covers and guest-starring appearances on Seinfeld and The Larry Sanders Show.

Following his success on L.A. Law, Bernsen maintained an active career across film and television. He starred in the two-season, NASA-themed series The Cape and portrayed prima donna third baseman Roger Dorn in the comedy film Major League and its two sequels. He played the title role of Dr. Alan Feinstone in the horror film The Dentist and its sequel, and appeared alongside Bruce Payne in Kounterfeit and Aurora: Operation Intercept. His other television credits include portraying John Durant on General Hospital, Jack Sherwood on Cuts, and appearing on Boston Legal, Star Trek: The Next Generation, JAG, The West Wing, Switched at Birth, The Curse, The Young and the Restless, and The Resident.

Bernsen gained further television prominence on the USA Network comedy-drama series Psych, playing retired police detective Henry Spencer, the father of main character Shawn Spencer. Expanding into filmmaking, Bernsen directed, produced, and appeared in the horror film Dead Air. He served as president and co-owner of Public Media Works, directing and starring in its DVD film Carpool Guy, and later established Team Cherokee Productions.

In 2010, Bernsen wrote, directed, and starred as a former minister in the film Rust, beginning a focus on media exploring aspects of Christian faith. Alongside producing partner Chris Aronoff, he formed the independent production company Home Theater Films. Through this company, Bernsen produced, wrote, directed, or appeared in projects including 25 Hill—a movie centered on the All-American Soap Box Derby—as well as 3 Day Test, Beyond the Heavens, Life with Dog, and Mary 4 Mayor.

Bernsen expanded into writing with his debut 2015 book, Rust: the Novel, adapted from his feature film. With his wife, British actress Amanda Pays, he co-authored two books on home remodeling: Change Houses, Not Spouses and Open House: Reinventing Space for Simple Living. Previously married to Brenda Cooper from 1983 to 1987, Bernsen married Pays in 1988, and the couple has four sons: Oliver, Angus, Henry, and Finley. The couple relocated to the Hudson Valley in upstate New York in 2019. Bernsen also maintains one of the largest snow globe collections in the world, consisting of over 8,000 globes.