Sean Kanan

Los Angeles Presence

Deacon Sharpe

November 1, 2000 to February 22, 2005; May 24, 2012 to June 2012; September 19, 2012 to October 11, 2012; June 13, 2014 to August 10, 2016 [contract]; June 15, 2017 to June 16, 2017 [recurring]

At A Glance

Born in Cleveland and raised in New Castle, Pennsylvania, Sean Kanan began his acting career while he was a political science major at Boston University. After landing a role in the locally-filmed Spenser: For Hire, he transferred to UCLA to devote more time to acting. Following graduation, he honed his skills at local comedy clubs and appeared in television programs such as The Nanny, Who's the Boss, MTV's Dead at 21, and Oliver Stone's Wild Palms miniseries, among others.

Sean made his feature film debut as Mike Barnes in Karate Kid III after being hand-picked by director John Avildsen (Rocky) during an open call of over 2,000 actors. He had studied karate and kickboxing while growing up and was able to perform his own stunts.

On daytime television, Sean received a nomination for Best Newcomer from the annual Soap Opera Digest Awards for his role as the trouble-ridden A.J. Quartermaine on General Hospital. His next role was that of the enigmatic businessman Jude Cavenaugh on Sunset Beach.

Sean has also taken on theatrical roles, including starring as Austin in Sam Shepard's True West at the Zephyr in Los Angeles and in Irish Coffee at the Burbage, also in Los Angeles.

In 1994, Sean co-wrote, produced and starred in a short film, Oasis Cafe, with Gary Busey, and went on to form his own production company, Kanan/Hammerschlag Productions. The company recently completed the independent film, March, which co-stars Rena Sofer and Sean. Set to air in coming months also is the film Crash Point Zero, which co-stars Sean opposite Treat Williams. Production is beginning now on Chasing Holden a Lion's Gate film that Sean wrote and will executive produce and co-star in opposite D. J. Qualls.

In 1993, Sean spent four years playing A.J. Quartermaine on General Hospital. Then in 2000, Sean spent four years playing conman Deacon Sharpe on daytime's The Bold and the Beautiful. Five years later, his character crossed over to The Young and The Restless, still a conman with an eye for the ladies with money.

When not working, Sean enjoys practicing martial arts and writing poetry, plays and screenplays.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

The Young and The Restless
Deacon Sharpe
July 10, 2009 to January 8, 2010; July 29, 2010 to January 30, 2012

The Bold and The Beautiful
Deacon Sharpe
November 1, 2000 to February 22, 2005; May 24, 2012 to June 2012; September 19, 2012 to October 11, 2012; June 13, 2014 to Present

Sunset Beach
Jude Cavenaugh
1999

V.I.P.
1998

Dead at 21
1994

General Hospital
A.J. Quartermaine
1993 to June 10, 1997; October 26, 2012 to April 29, 2014

Lois & Clark
1993

The Nanny
1993

Walker, Texas Ranger
1993

Spenser: For Hire
1985

Acting Portfolio: FILM

Crash Point Zero (HBO)
2001

Chasing Holden
2001

March
2001

The Chaos Factor (HBO)
1999

Chump Change
1999

Oasis Cafe
1994

Rich Girl
1991

The Karate Kid III
1989

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actor (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006; for The Bold and the Beautiful)

Soap Opera Digest Award Nominee, Best Newcomer (1994)

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: Cleveland, Ohio

DATE OF BIRTH: November 2, 1966

CHILDREN: Daughter, Simone Andrea Kanan (b. late 2001; with Gladis Jimenez)

News Archives

News Archive: Kanan to join cast of B&B. [Sep 30, 2000]

News Archive: Hearst out, Kanan still in at B&B. [Aug 9, 2002]

News Archive: Kanan confirms that he's taped his final B&B episode. [Feb 7, 2005]

News Archive: Kanan to appear in court on DUI charges. [Sep 12, 2007]

News Archive: Spared jail time, Kanan receives DUI sentence. [Jan 21, 2008]

News Archive: Arrest warrant issued for no-show Kanan. [Jun 16, 2008]

News Archive: Kanan takes B&B role to Y&R. [Jun 25, 2009]