Maurice Benard (born March 1, 1963) is an American actor. He is known primarily for his portrayal of romantic mobster Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital, a role he has portrayed since 1993.

Biography

Career
Born Mauricio Jose Morales in Martinez, California and growing up in San Francisco, California, Benard is of Salvadorian and Nicaraguan ethnicity. He started his acting career as Nico on the soap opera All My Children from 1987 to 1990. In addition to guest spots on several television series during the early 1990s, Benard also appeared in television movies including the 1991 CBS television movie Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter, in which he portrayed Desi Arnaz. He is now starring in an independent film entitled The Ghost and the Whale, which is being executive produced by his wife Paula. Filming began in February 2013 and release is likely in 2014.


Personal life
Benard married Paula Smith on August 11, 1990. They have four children; Heather Ann (adopted April 20, 2008), Cailey Sofia (born September 18, 1994), Cassidy Rose (born April 18, 1999), and Joshua James (born December 5, 2004). He and his wife adopted his wife's adopted sister, after her mother's death. His cousin, Marvin Benard, played professional baseball.

Benard was diagnosed with bipolar disorder at age 22. He has since become a spokesperson for treatment of the disorder with Mental Health America. His character, Sonny Corinthos, also suffers from the disorder.

Benard and his family live in Temecula, California along with their many pets.