Kevin Bernhardt
Kevin Bernhardt is an American screenwriter, film actor, television actor, and producer. Bernhardt started as an actor in TV, with contract roles on Dynasty in 1989 and General Hospital (1985–1988). Following that, he had a dozen lead film roles until the mid-1990s - when he began seeing his screenplays produced - and decided to focus on writing. He had over 30 screenplays produced, before returning to a lead role opposite Amy Redford in Hate Crime. And most recently - to a major supporting role opposite Michael Caine and Ben Foster in 2020's Medieval.
Kevin Bernhardt | |
---|---|
Born | |
Years active | 1985–present |
Spouse(s) | Apollonia Kotero (1987–1997) |
Early life and education
Bernhardt was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was adopted by Navy Damage Control Officer 'Red' and wife Beverly.[1] Years there were spent at an African-American elementary school (Turie T. Small), as part of the integration which continued in the late 1960s.
Bernhardt attended college at Binghamton University on a National Merit Scholarship sponsored by the Eureka tent factory, where his mother worked.
Career
After completing a Bachelor's Degrees in Economics and Drama in 1983 he traveled to Los Angeles in January 1984,[2][1] where he passed the Series 7 exam and was hired by a securities company. But his true passion was the theater.
He landed a coveted contract role on General Hospital, and was the center of attention in the 'Laurelton Murders' storyline, and with it General Hospital led the ratings for two years. Bernhardt took acting seriously enough to study in the small master class taught by Stella Adler, and he continued to work steadily as an actor for several years; in TV with another contract role as a priest on Dynasty, as well as several mostly 'bad-guy' leads in films such as Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth.[3] But once he saw his first screenplay produced – he devoted his undivided attention to writing.
Since then his writing has attracted a diverse array of well-known actors, including Kevin Bacon, Ben Foster, Michael Caine, Michael Shannon, Chris Rock, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Plummer, Til Schweiger, Donald Sutherland, Matthew Goode, Roy Scheider, Djimon Hounsou, Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, Charlie Sheen, Dolph Lundgren, John Lithgow, Tom Berenger, Peter Weller, Sylvester Stallone and Nick Nolte.
He has also worked with many notable directors including Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth), Andrew Davis (Holes, The Fugitive), Abel Ferrara (King of NY), John Hillcoat (Lawless), William Friedkin (The French Connection), Mimi Leder (Deep Impact), Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, Rambo), Frederic Forestier (Asterix…), Renny Harlin, Wayne Cramer (The Cooler), and Brad Anderson (The Call). His screenplays were largely used to create the first breakthrough films - for independent companies such as Elie Samaha's Franchise Pictures, and the predominant independent company in the world, Avi Lerner's Millennium-NuImage.
Writer – film
- Medieval (2020) (screenplay consultant) Starring Michael Caine, Ben Foster, Matthew Goode, Til Schweiger, William Moseley
- Echo Boomers (2019) (screenplay) Starring Michael Shannon, Nick Robinson, Alex Pettyfer
- Rambo: Last Blood (2019) (uncredited screenplay) Starring Sylvester Stallone
- Kingdome Come: Deliverance (2018) (Story consultant)
- Shiner (2018) (screenplay)
- The Shanghai Job (2017) (screenplay) Starring Orlando Bloom
- S.M.A.R.T. CHASE (2017) (screenplay) Starring Orlando Bloom and various Chinese stars. Produced by China's Wei Han
- Cliffs of Freedom (2018) (in post production) (screenplay) Produced by billionaire Metropoulos family. Starring Christopher Plummer, Patti Lupone (Tony Award winner)
- 60'6" (2017) (in pre production) (screenplay)
- Shi (2016) (in production) (screenplay) – Patrick Tatopoulos to direct/Constantin to finance.
- The Genesis Code (2016) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Brad Anderson to direct/Myriad to finance.
- The Dove (2017) (in production) (screenplay) – Producers Paul Schiff and Tai Duncan
- Pretty Boy Floyd (2016) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Andy Davis to direct.
- Daughter of Destiny (2011) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Shekhar Kapur to direct.
- Blue Eyed Samurai (2016) (in production) (producer/screenplay) Marcel Langenegger to direct.
- The Charm School (2016) (in production) (screenplay) Based on the Nelson DeMille novel. Producer Phil Anschultz & Kennedy/Marshall
- Coup D'Etat (2025) (in production) (screenplay) Co-written with Abel Ferrara
- Elephant White (2010) (in post production) (screenplay) Starring Djimon Hounsou and Kevin Bacon. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
- The Godmother (2009) (pre-production) (writer)
- Veronica (2009) (pre-production) (written by) Amy Redford to direct.
- John Rambo (2008) (screenplay rewrite). Sylvester Stallone.
- Peaceful Warrior (2006) (screenplay).[4] Directed by Victor Salva. Starring Nick Nolte.
- Virginia (2005) (written by)
- One Last Dance (2003) (uncredited) Starring Patrick Swayze.
- Without a Word (2001) (uncredited screenplay rewrite)
- The Art of War (2000) (uncredited screenplay rewrite). Starring Wesley Snipes, Michael Biehn.
- Jill Rips (Jill The Ripper) (1999) (written by) Starring Dolph Lundgren.
- Fear of Flying (1999) (screenplay). Starring Craig Sheffer, Jennifer Beals.
- Diplomatic Siege (1999) (screenplay). Starring Peter Weller, Daryl Hannah
- Five Aces (1999) (uncredited). Starring Charlie Sheen.
- Sweepers (1998) (story). Starring Dolph Lundgren.
- Top of the World (1997) (uncredited screenplay writer). Starring Dennis Hopper, Peter Weller, Tia Carrere, Joey Pantoliano
- Natural Enemy (1997) (TV) (screenplay). Starring Donald Sutherland, Leslie Ann Warren.
- The Peacekeeper (1997) (uncredited screenwriter). Starring Dolph Lundgren.
- Hollow Point (1996) (uncredited screenwriter). Starring John Lithgow, Donald Sutherland, Tia Carrere.
- The Immortals (1995)(screenplay).[5] Starring Chris Rock, Eric Roberts, Joey Pantoliano, Tony Curtis.
Producer
- Best Sellers (2020) (Co-producer)
- Echo Boomers (2019) (Executive producer)
- Medieval (2018) (Executive producer)
- Ghoul (2015) (Executive producer)
- Amazing Grace (2000) (producer)
- Top of the World (1997/1) (co-producer)
- The Immortals (1995) (co-producer)
Actor – film
- Medieval (2020) - Captain Martin
- Hate Crime (2019) - Tom, costarring Amy Redford
- Shiner (2017) - Happy Baer
- Top of the World (1997) -Dean, costarring Dennis Hopper, Peter Weller
- The Immortals (1995) -Billy Knox, costarring Chris Rock, Eric Roberts, Tony Curtis, Joey Pantoliano[5]
- Treacherous (1993) -Damon Vasquez, costarring Adam Baldwin, Tia Carrere, C. Thomas Howell
- Beauty School (1993)[6] -Colt
- Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992) -J.P. Monroe[6][3][7] / J.P. Cenobite, costarring Pinhead
- Midnight Warrior (1989) -Nick Branca[7]
- Counterforce (1988) -Sutherland,[3] costarring Robert Forster, George Kennedy, Louis Jourdan, Kabir Bedi
- Kick or Die (1987) -Don Potter[6][3][7][8]
- Le feu sous la peau (1985) -Raphael[3]
Actor – television
- General Hospital (1984, 15 episodes)[3][9] – Frisco Jones
- General Hospital (Series regular 1985–86, 310 episodes) – Kevin O'Connor[3]
- Dynasty (1989)
- "Catch 22" (May 10, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride[3]
- "Blasts from the Past" (May 3, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "Here Comes the Son" (April 26, 1989)TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "No Bones About It" (April 12, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "Tale of the Tape" (April 5, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "Sins of the Father" (March 26, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "Grimes and Punishment" (March 22, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "The Son Also Rises" (March 15, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "Virginia Reels" (February 22, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- "All Hands on Dex" (February 15, 1989) TV episode - Father Tanner McBride
- Superboy (2 episodes, 1989–1990) – Dr. Byron Shelley[3]
- "Run Dracula, Run" (February 3, 1990) TV episode - Dr. Byron Shelley
- "Young Dracula" (October 28, 1989) TV episode - Dr. Byron Shelley
Miscellaneous crew
- The Peacekeeper (1997) (technical advisor)
- Hollow Point (1996)(story consultant)
References
- Grant, James. "General Hospital's Kevin Bernhardt Is Apollonia's Current Prince". PEOPLE.com. People Magazine. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- Passalacqua, Connie (June 7, 1984). "Bernhardt running on the fast track". Eau Claire Leader Telegram. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
- Kane, Paul (2015). The Hellraiser Films and Their Legacy. McFarland. p. 104. ISBN 9781476600697. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Motion Picture Almanac. Quigley Publishing Company. 2007. p. 517. ISBN 9780900610806. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Visible Ink Press Staff; Craddock (1996). Videohound's Golden Movie Retriever, 1997. Thomson Gale. p. cclxx. ISBN 9780787607807. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Martin, Mick; Porter, Marsha (1997). Video Movie Guide 1998. Ballantine Books. pp. 77, 470, 569. ISBN 9780345407931. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Weldon, Michael (1996). The Psychotronic Video Guide. Titan Books. pp. 260, 311, 366. ISBN 9781852867706. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- Cohn, Lawrence (August 24, 1992). "Television Reviews - Kick or Die". Variety. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
- Bonderoff, Jason (1987). Soap Opera Babylon. Perigee Books. p. 59. ISBN 9780399512919. Retrieved January 19, 2019.