John Corbett Biography: John Joseph Corbett Jr. born May 9, 1961 is an American actor and country music singer. He is best known on television 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). His notable film credits include 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 trilogy (2018–2021). In addition to acting, Corbett has pursued a career in country music. He released two studio albums: John Corbett (2006), which peaked at number 45 on the Billboard Country Albums chart, and Leaving Nothin’ Behind (2013).
John Corbett Biography
John Corbett is an American actor who earned critical acclaim for his performance as Chris Stevens in Northern Exposure (1990), receiving nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor. He later received another Golden Globe nomination for his role as Aidan Shaw, one of Sarah Jessica Parker’s love interests, in Sex and the City (1998). Born John Joseph Corbett on May 9, 1961, in Wheeling, West Virginia, he is the son of Sandra (Pavilack) and John Marshall Corbett. His ancestry includes English, Irish, Lithuanian, and Russian-Jewish roots. Raised in the Catholic faith, Corbett graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic High School in 1979. After high school, he moved to California and worked for six years in a boiler-making factory. Following a back injury, he left the job and enrolled at Cerritos College.
John Corbett Biography 2025 Details
| Born |
John Joseph Corbett Jr.
May 9, 1961 Wheeling, West Virginia, U.S.
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|---|---|
| Occupations |
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| Years active | 1987–present |
| Spouse |
Bo Derek
(m. 2020) |
| Category | Singers Bio |
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About John Corbett
John Joseph Corbett Jr. is an American actor and country music singer. On television, he is best known for his roles as Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure, Aidan Shaw on Sex and the City, Max Gregson on United States of Tara, and Seth Holt on Parenthood.
John Corbett Wiki
- Born: 9 May 1961 (age 64 years), Wheeling, West Virginia, United States
- Spouse: Bo Derek (m. 2020)
- Height: 1.96 m
- Parents: Sandy Corbett, John Joseph Corbett, Sr.
- Occupations: Actor; singer; musician
Early Life
Corbett was raised in Wheeling, West Virginia, in an apartment building near the Ohio River with his mother and stepfather, who were both employed at his uncle Phillip’s music club. Raised Catholic, he served as an altar boy for seven years at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. His father, originally from Bellaire, Ohio, was a Jehovah’s Witness, while his maternal grandfather was of Russian-Jewish descent.
Corbett began playing guitar at the age of seven and worked as a security guard at the Capitol Music Hall when he was 16. He graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic High School in 1979. After high school, he moved to Bellflower, California, to live with his father and stepmother and spent six years working at Kaiser Steel in Fontana as a hydrotester. During this time, he trained for a year to become a Los Angeles County Deputy Sheriff but did not pass the exams.
Career
John Corbett made his television debut in 1988, playing Louis—the hippie boyfriend of Karen Arnold (played by Olivia d’Abo)—in the first season of ABC’s comedy-drama The Wonder Years. For that role, he was credited as Jack Corbett. From 1990 to 1995, Corbett gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Chris Stevens in the CBS series Northern Exposure. His performance earned him nominations for both a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film, and a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
In 1997, he starred as Adam MacArthur in the Fox sci-fi drama The Visitor. The show followed his character, who returns to Earth with special abilities after being abducted by aliens 50 years earlier. The role earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actor on Television. Between 2001 and 2002, Corbett played Aidan Shaw, a love interest of Carrie Bradshaw (Sarah Jessica Parker), in HBO’s hit series Sex and the City. The role garnered him another Golden Globe nomination in the same supporting actor category.
Personal Life
John Corbett was raised in the Catholic faith and briefly explored born-again Christianity during the 1980s before ultimately returning to his Catholic roots. He has been in a relationship with actress Bo Derek since 2002, after the two met on a blind date. They tied the knot in December 2020. The couple currently resides on a ranch in Santa Ynez, California.
John Corbett at a Glance
- Category: Richest Celebrities › Actors
- Net Worth: $9.5 Million
- Birthdate: May 9, 1961 (Age: 64)
- Birthplace: Wheeling, West Virginia
- Gender: Male
- Height: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
- Profession: Actor, Singer, Hair Stylist, Businessperson, Spokesperson, Laborer
- Nationality: American
What is John Corbett’s Net Worth 2025?
John Corbett is an American actor and country singer with an estimated net worth of $9.5 million. Born on May 9, 1961, in Wheeling, West Virginia, he rose to fame for his role as Chris Stevens on Northern Exposure (1990–1995) and became a household name as Aidan Shaw, the beloved boyfriend of Carrie Bradshaw, in Sex and the City. He later reprised this role in the film Sex and the City 2. Corbett also starred as the romantic lead opposite Nia Vardalos in the hit film My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002), and played Max Gregson in United States of Tara, as well as Seth Holt in the NBC dramedy Parenthood. Raised in an apartment near the Ohio River by his mother, who worked as a waitress at his uncle’s music club, Corbett graduated from Wheeling Central Catholic High School in 1979.
FAQs
What inspired John Corbett to pursue acting after working in a factory?
After injuring his back while working at a boiler-making factory in California, John Corbett decided to shift his career path. He enrolled at Cerritos College to study hairdressing and took acting classes in the evenings, which sparked his interest in becoming an actor.
Did John Corbett study acting formally?
Yes, John Corbett studied acting at Cerritos College in Norwalk, California. While he was enrolled in hairdressing classes during the day, he took theater and acting courses at night, laying the foundation for his future career in entertainment.
What was John Corbett’s first television appearance?
John Corbett made his television debut with a guest role on The Wonder Years in 1988. This marked the beginning of his professional acting career.
How did John Corbett get his start in the entertainment industry?
John Corbett initially entered the entertainment world by appearing in commercials. His big break came in 1990 when he was cast as Chris Stevens in Northern Exposure, a role that brought him widespread recognition and critical acclaim.
Has John Corbett received any awards for his acting?
While John Corbett has not won major acting awards, he has received several prestigious nominations. These include Primetime Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations for his role in Northern Exposure, as well as a Golden Globe nomination for Sex and the City.
What role did John Corbett play in The Visitor?
In The Visitor (1997), John Corbett played the lead role, which earned him a Saturn Award nomination for Best Actor. The series added to his reputation as a versatile actor capable of handling complex and dramatic roles.