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Sean Kanan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused with Sean Keenan (actor).
Sean Kanan
Kanan in 2019
Born
Sean Perelman

(1966-11-02) November 2, 1966 (age 58)
Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • author
Years active1988–present
Known forThe Karate Kid Part III (1989)
General Hospital (1993–1997, 2012–2014)
The Bold and the Beautiful (2000–2005, 2012, 2014–2017, 2021–)
The Young and the Restless (2009–2012, 2022)
Studio City (2019–)
Height177 cm (5 ft 10 in)
Spouses
Athena Ubach
​
​
(m. 1999; div. 2001)​
Michele Kanan
​
(m. 2012)​
Children1

Sean Kanan (/keɪnən/; né Perelman; born November 2, 1966) is an American actor, producer, and author, best known for his portrayals of Mike Barnes (in The Karate Kid Part III and Cobra Kai), A. J. Quartermaine (on General Hospital), and Deacon Sharpe (on The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless).

Early life

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Kanan was born Sean Perelman in Cleveland, Ohio, to Dale and Michelle Perelman.[1] His family later relocated to New Castle, Pennsylvania.[2] He was raised Jewish.[3] Kanan attended Mercersburg Academy in Pennsylvania, Boston University and UCLA where he earned a degree in political science.[4]

Career

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The Karate Kid Part III

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Kanan's first notable role was that of villain Mike Barnes in the 1989 film The Karate Kid Part III[5] directed by Academy Award winning Director, John Avildsen.[6]

As a teenager, Kanan studied Shotokan karate under Sensei William Stoner.[7] By the time he landed the role, Kanan had a good foundation of Japanese Karate which would be essential for portraying the central protagonist opposite of villain Daniel LaRusso played by Ralph Macchio.[8] He trained in Shitō-ryū at a school run by Karate master Fumio Demura[9][10] and with stunt coordinator and Tang Soo Do master Pat E. Johnson.[11]

During filming, he suffered internal bleeding after injuring his omentum, a membrane that connects the stomach with other organs, supplying them with blood along with physically protecting them.[12] Kanan collapsed at a Las Vegas hotel four days after shooting the scene and underwent life-saving surgery.[13]

Television and film

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1990–2000

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The following year, he starred on the Fox television series The Outsiders, Executive Produced by Francis Ford Coppola.[14] In 1993, Kanan joined the ABC soap opera General Hospital as A. J. Quartermaine[15] the troubled son of Dr. Alan and Dr. Monica Quartermaine. Kanan was nominated for an award in the Outstanding Newcomer category by Soap Opera Digest[16] for his believable portrayal of the fictional character whose storylines often centered on an ongoing battle with alcoholism.[17] He also appared in an advertisement and campaign for the clothing company C&A in 1994, the main theme was the culture of North American Indians, the advertisement was called Indian Spirits. The video was shot in San Francisco. He left the series in 1997 and returned in 2012 for the 50th anniversary of the show.[18][19] Kanan's last appearance was on April 23, 2014, after his on-screen television character was killed.[20] In 1999, Kanan joined the cast of Aaron Spelling's NBC soap opera Sunset Beach[21] as Jude Cavanaugh and remained with the show until its cancellation later that year.[22]

2000–present

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In 2000 he joined the cast of the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful as Deacon Sharpe,[23] playing a character that was originally conceived as a short-term villain,[24] but would later prove to be the basis for a popular, on-going storyline for the show.He would remain with the show until 2005 when he opted for recurring status while his on-screen character served a prison sentence for obstructing justice.[24] Kanan also starred in several feature films in tandem with his television career.[25] He wrote and executive-produced Chasing Holden, which was distributed by Lionsgate,and starred Kanan along with DJ Qualls. In 2002 he hosted the Miss World Pageant in London,[26] and in 2006 competed in the third season of Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Dancing with the Stars.[27]

On July 10, 2009, Kanan reprised his role as Deacon Sharpe on the CBS sister soap opera The Young and the Restless.[28] While appearing on The Young and the Restless, he starred in the 2009 Indie film Abracadabra, which was directed by Julie Pacino (Al Pacino's daughter) and was screened at the Cannes Film Festival.[29] In May 2010, Kanan starred in My Trip to the Dark Side, written and directed by Shane Stanley. He later starred in the 2011 sequel My Trip Back to the Dark Side.[30] Upon leaving The Young and the Restless in January 2012,[31] Kanan reprised his role as Deacon Sharpe on The Bold and the Beautiful, but as of February 2024, he was taken off of the CBS web site for the cast of characters for the show, [32] noting that Deacon is his favorite of all the characters he has played due in part to the writing of Bradley Bell.

Studio City

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In 2019 Kanan created the Emmy Award-winning digital drama series Studio City, directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., as a somewhat autobiographical love letter to the Daytime Soaps.[33] Kanan stars as Sam Stevens, who portrays Dr. Pierce Hartley on the show-with-in-a show “Hearts on Fire”, along with Soap veterans Tristan Rogers, Carolyn Hennesy, Sarah Joy Brown, Patrika Darbo, and Scott Turner Schofield, the first openly transgender actor on Daytime TV.[34] The episodes are penned by Kanan, along with Michele Kanan, Timothy Woodward Jr., and Lauren de Normandie (season one). The series explores issues like #meToo sexual harassment, ageism, gender identity and surprise paternity with enough levity to keep the story moving.[35] Studio City was truly a family affair, with Kanan's Emmy-nominated wife Michele Kanan writing / producing and her daughter (Sean's step-daughter), Juliet Vega starring as Sam's surprise love child. Studio City is streaming on Amazon Prime.[36]

Cobra Kai

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Kanan reprised his role as Mike Barnes from The Karate Kid III for the fifth season of Cobra Kai.[37]

Other ventures

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Writing

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In 2011, Kanan wrote The Modern Gentleman; Cooking and Entertaining with Sean Kanan, published by Dunham Books.[38] He shared many of his favorite recipes, but also took the opportunity to help "rebrand men" by offering tips on etiquette, manners, and entertaining for special occasions.[39] The goal of the book is to inspire people to be the best they can be, to get in touch with their authentic selves and to use cooking as a conduit for developing connections.[40]

In 2019, the book Success Factor X, co-written by Kanan and motivational speaker Jill Liberman, was released.[41] The book, published by Plain Sight Publishing, is described as a collection of strategies and secrets from a diverse group of high achievers ranging from billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban to hip-hop icons Run-DMC[42] In 2021, Sean wrote Way of the COBRA in which he, as Sensei, inspires and instructs students on techniques to define their most authentic and successful self.[43] The acronym COBRA stands for character, optimization, balance, respect, and abundance. He shares some of his own experiences from landing the breakout role of Mike Barnes in the Karate Kid III, to how he almost lost the role and his life in the process.[44]

Daytime Emmy and Walk of Fame

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Kanan's career has been acknowledged through numerous industry awards including the Daytime Emmy for his series Studio City.[45] In 2016, Kanan received the 400th star on the Walk of Fame in Palm Springs.[46]

Personal life

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Sean and Michele Kanan married in July 2012. He has a daughter by his prior relationship and Michele has four children of her own.[47]

Kanan is an active advocate for anti-bullying and an Ambassador for the organization Boo 2 Bullying.[48] His charities include the American Cancer Society, Project Angel Food, and his tour with the USO entertaining troops in Bosnia.[49]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Hide and Go Shriek John Robbins Directed by Skip Schoolnik
1989 The Karate Kid Part III Mike Barnes Directed by John G. Avildsen
1991 Rich Girl Jeffrey
1994 Oasis Cafe Actor Also writer and executive producer
2000 The Chaos Factor Jay
2001 Crash Point Zero Don Spengler Directed by Jim Wynorski
10 Attitudes Craig
March Julian March Also executive producer
2003 Chasing Holden Alex Patterson Also writer and executive producer
2005 Carpool Guy Tom Directed by Corbin Bernsen
2006 Sons of Italy Michele Morri
2007 Hack! Vincent King Also executive producer
2008 Jack Rio Adam McNeil Also executive producer
2010 Changing Hands Tom Directed by Scott L. Schwartz
My Trip to the Dark Side David Prince Directed by Shane Stanley
2014 My Trip Back to the Dark Side David Prince Directed by Shane Stanley
A Place Called Hollywood Gordon Plum Directed by Gregori J. Martin
2017 Limelight Sergio Veneto
2019 Verotika Sgt. Anders Segment: "Change of Face"
Beyond the Law Delahunt Directed by James Cullen Bressack
2021 Survive the Game Ed
Fortress Vlad

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 Baby Boom Scott Episode: "X-y-l-o-p-h-o-n-e"
1990 Who's the Boss? Charlie Episode: "Take Me Back to the Ballgame"
1990 The Outsiders Gregg Parker Recurring, 4 episodes
1991 Perry Mason: The Case of the Maligned Mobster Jeff Sorrento TV movie
1991 Revenge of the Nerds Todd Channing TV movie
1993 Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss Mark Stratton TV movie
1993 Wild Palms Jacob Episode: "Everything Must Go", Executive Producer Oliver Stone
1993 Step by Step Michael Episode: "Sister Act"
1993–97, 2012–14 General Hospital A.J. Quartermaine Main cast: February 16, 1993 – June 10, 1997; October 29, 2012 – April 29, 2014[19]
1994 Dead at 21 Unknown Episode: "Shock the Monkey"
1995 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Steve Law Episode: "Super Mann"
1996 The Nanny Mike McMullen Episode: "The Cradle Robbers"
1998 Walker, Texas Ranger Brad Alt Episode: "Eyes of the Ranger"
1999 V.I.P. Stu Solomon Episode: "Three Days to a Kill"
1999 Sunset Beach Jude Cavanaugh Main cast: August 26 – December 31, 1999
2000–05, 2012, 2014–17, 2021–present The Bold and the Beautiful Deacon Sharpe Main cast: November 1, 2000 – February 22, 2005;[23][24] June 13, 2014 – June 16, 2017; October 7, 2021–present
Recurring cast: May 24 – October 11, 2012
2001 Rendez-View Unknown Episode: "Surf's Up, Thumbs Down"
2006 Freddie Steve Mulroy Episode: "Eligible Bachelor"
2009–12, 2022 The Young and the Restless Deacon Sharpe Recurring cast: July 10, 2009 – January 30, 2012;[28][31] Guest: September 20–21, 2022
2012 Happily Divorced Keith Episode: "Daddy's Girl"
2012 Desperate Housewives Jason Episode: "With So Little to Be Sure Of"
2014 Hell's Kitchen Himself Episode: "Winner Chosen"; Guest for Season 12's final Service
2019 Studio City Sam Stevens and Dr. Pierce Hartley Episode: "Pilot"
2022 Killer Ambition Earl TV movie
2022-present Cobra Kai Mike Barnes season 5 (2 episodes); season 6[50]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref
1994 Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Male Newcomer General Hospital Nominated
1997 Online Film and Television Association Award Best Supporting Actor in a Daytime Serial General Hospital Nominated [51]
2002 Daytime Emmy Award America's Favorite Couple (shared with Katherine Kelly Lang) The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated [52]
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award Outstanding Supporting Actor The Bold and the Beautiful Nominated
2021 Independent Series Award Outstanding Lead Actor Studio City Won
2021 Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Production Team Studio City Won

References

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  1. ^ "Sean Kanan profile at". Filmreference.com. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  2. ^ Cubbal, Kayleen (October 9, 2012). "Soap secret: Return of New Castle native Sean Kanan to General Hospital is shrouded in mystery". New Castle News. Max Thomson. Retrieved October 9, 2012.
  3. ^ "Sean Kanan Exclusive Interview with Cindy's Corners".
  4. ^ Grosz, Cindy. "Sean Kanan Exclusive Interview With Cindy's Corners". blogs.timesofisrael.com.
  5. ^ Swann, Erik (February 1, 2021). "Could Cobra Kai Bring Back A Famous Karate Kid Villain? Here's What The Actor Thinks". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  6. ^ Salem, Maya (June 16, 2017). "John Avildsen, Director of 'Rocky' and 'The Karate Kid,' Dies at 81". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  7. ^ Sizer, Jacob (April 15, 2020). "" Lost Legends: Sensei William Stoner"". Eye of the Hurricane.
  8. ^ "Interview with Sean Kanan". Illuminate Magazine. March 21, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Dineen, Kevin (February 4, 2021). "" Who Is Fumio Demura, Pat Morita's Stunt Double?"". Heavy.
  10. ^ "" Fumio Demura: Black Belt Hall of Fame Member"". Black Belt Magazine. December 21, 2016.
  11. ^ Kessler, S.E: "Meet The Bad Boy From Karate III: Sean Kanan Was Ralph Machio's Worst Nightmare", page 60. Black Belt Magazine, February 1995; accessed February 6, 2010.
  12. ^ ""Sean Kanan Update: American Pride, Chef Inside, a Martial Artist With Success Dignified"". Black Belt Magazine. August 5, 2019.
  13. ^ Cunneff, Tom (17 July 1989). "Critically Injured in Filming, Karate Kid Bad Boy Sean Kanan Rallies to Fight to the Finish". People. Retrieved 11 June 2018.
  14. ^ King, Susan (March 23, 2018). ""The Outsiders' Stays Gold at 35: Inside Coppola's Crafty Methods and Stars' Crazy Pranks"". Variety.
  15. ^ "Sean Kanan, Already a Heavyweight Hunk". Chicago Tribune. June 30, 1993.
  16. ^ "Ninth Annual Soap Opera Digest Awards". Soap Opera Digest. April 14, 2003.
  17. ^ Logan, Michael (September 1, 2012). "Exclusive: Sean Kanan Returns to General Hospital". TV Guide. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  18. ^ Jordan, Meredith (March 17, 2020). "" Actor Sean Kanan teams with Palm Springs' Tristan Rogers for a trip to Studio City "". Palm Springs Life.
  19. ^ a b Dan J. Kroll (September 17, 2012). "Soaps Shocker: General Hospital Brings Back Sean Kanan, But As Who? Dead A.J.? NuJason?". soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  20. ^ Soap Opera Weekly Magazine: Dated August 24, 1999
  21. ^ Hill, Michael E. (January 5, 1997). "Spelling Success in Daytime". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  22. ^ Keck, William (June 21, 1999). "It's the End of the 'World' As They Know It on NBC". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  23. ^ a b Dan J. Kroll (October 1, 2000). "Sean Kanan, GH's AJ, joins B&B". soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  24. ^ a b c Dan J. Kroll (February 8, 2005). "Kanan confirms his B&B exit". soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  25. ^ "Sean Kanan". Jewish Virtual Library. September 14, 2016.
  26. ^ "Beleaguered pageant crowns Turk Miss World". CBC. December 7, 2002.
  27. ^ "Dancing With The Stars". Reality TV World. September 14, 2006.
  28. ^ a b Dan J. Kroll (June 26, 2009). "Sean Kanan to reprise B&B role on Y&R". soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  29. ^ Peterson, Tyler (August 13, 2014). "Director Jennifer DeLia Responds to Criticism of the 'Not-So-Conventional' PHOENIX in New Essay". Broadway World. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  30. ^ "My trip back to the dark side". North of Boston Library Exchange. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  31. ^ a b Dan J. Kroll (December 13, 2011). "Sean Kanan out, in at The Young and the Restless". soapcentral.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  32. ^ Clifford, Kambra (October 4, 2021). "Sean Kanan brings Deacon Sharpe back to The Bold and the Beautiful". Soap Central. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  33. ^ Papadatos, Markos (June 25, 2021). "Studio City' wins big at the 2021 Daytime Emmy Awards, including 'Outstanding Limited Series". Digital Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  34. ^ Koblin, John (April 2, 2022). "Helping Hollywood Avoid Claims of Bias Is Now a Growing Business". The New York Times. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  35. ^ "New 'Studio City' episodes released". New Castle News. January 5, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  36. ^ "Watch Studio City | Prime Video". www.amazon.com.
  37. ^ It's no joke, LaRusso! Mike Barnes will return for Cobra Kai season 5
  38. ^ "ISBN 9780983745648". The International ISBN Agency. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  39. ^ Taggart, Kelly (April 19, 2013). "In the Kitchen with Sean Kanan, A True Guy's Guy". Health Beauty Life. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  40. ^ Wagner, Diane (November 23, 2011). "Actor Sean Kanan's "The Modern Gentleman" Rebrands Men". Death Bed Food. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  41. ^ Shapiro, Eileen (March 8, 2019). "SEAN KANAN: "SUCCESS FACTOR X"". Hollywood Digest. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  42. ^ Shapiro, Eileen (March 8, 2019). "Sean Kanan: "Success Factor X"".
  43. ^ Papadatos, Markos (February 22, 2022). "Review: Sean Kanan releases empowering book 'Way of the Cobra'". Digital Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  44. ^ "Sean Kanan Authors New Book: Way of the COBRA". Hollywood Digest. April 26, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  45. ^ "The 4th Daytime Emmys Nominees". National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  46. ^ "THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL's Sean Kanan Recieves [sic] a Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars!". Soaps In Depth. 31 October 2016. Retrieved 2020-07-02.
  47. ^ CBS (June 8, 2011). "Sean Kanan: Our Family Is A "Benevolent Dictatorship"". celebritybabyscoop.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  48. ^ "Boo 2 Bullying Ambassodors". Boo 2 Bullying. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  49. ^ "Washington DC's GI Film Festiva". Digital Journal. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  50. ^ "Mike Barnes In Season 6 (CONFIRMED)".
  51. ^ "The 1st Annual Online Film and Television Association Award Nominees and Winners". ofta.cinemasight.com. 1997. Archived from the original on October 7, 2014. Retrieved July 11, 2014.
  52. ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards (2002)". IMDb. May 11, 2002. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
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