Maurice Benard became famous within the daytime television industry after taking up the role of Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital. Maurice Benard captured millions of viewers since his debut on General Hospital in 1993 which turned him into a prominent personality in daytime television. Benard’s dramatic acting work at General Hospital together with his advocacy for mental health and his varied career moves made him reach significant fame and financial success. This article delves into Maurice Benard’s early life, career, Maurice Benard net worth, and much more.
Quick Facts
| Full Name | Maurice José Morales |
| Date of Birth | March 1, 1963 |
| Birthplace | Martinez, California, USA |
| Spouse | Paula Smith (m. 1990) |
| Children | 4 (including Joshua) |
| Net Worth | $2 million |
| Profession | Actor, Producer, Advocate |
| Notable Role | Sonny Corinthos in General Hospital |
| Awards | 3 Daytime Emmy Awards |
Early Life
Mauricio José Morales became Maurice Benard at his birth in Martinez, California on March 1, 1963. His ancestors originally started in Central America in Salvador as well as Nicaragua. From the beginning of his childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area Benard displayed noticeable passion for acting. Before shifting to acting he took up modeling as his profession. His exceptional appearance and undeniable acting abilities moved him progressively toward his acting career.
His early professional life started on theater stages before he obtained television show roles. All My Children welcomed Nico Kelly as the main character when they hired Benard for the role in 1987. Benard received critical praise from his All My Children role which opened doors to his future success on General Hospital.
Fame did not arrive easily for Benard even though he tackled the obstacles that came his way. At 22 years old doctors identified that bipolar disorder existed within him before he battled the condition privately for multiple years. His private fight against mental illness evolved into a significant component of his public image so Benard decided to champion mental health awareness causes.
Maurice Benard Net Worth
The estimated Maurice Benard net worth amounts to $2 million in 2025. The income that he earns stems mainly from his extensive presence on General Hospital where he plays the major character of Sonny Corinthos who runs the powerful mob organization. The General Hospital episode payments to Benard fluctuate between $3,000 and $5,000 which he has received since joining the show. The nearly 14,000 episodes General Hospital has aired since Benard started has significantly contributed to the construction of his financial worth.
The acting role of General Hospital established Benard’s career but he developed further profit streams through his diverse business activities. The actor augmented his wealth through his film appearances beginning with Ruby (1992) and moving on to Mi Vida Loca (1993) and closing with Joy (2015). The producer role beside actor roles enables him to expand his sources of income.
The work that Benard does supporting mental health has given him opportunities to conduct presentations and create partnerships focused on raising awareness about mental health, and these activities generate potential revenue streams. Benard connects with his fans on new depths through his honest living declaration of bipolar disorder while mental health advocacy remains strongly important to him.
Career Highlights
Through his years of television work Maurice Benard proves dedication combined with perseverance as essential components for success. Multiple important milestones occurred throughout the duration of his career which I will now outline.
Benard gained recognition in daytime TV through his role as Nico Kelly on All My Children from 1987 to 1990. He won a nomination for a Soap Opera Digest Award in the Outstanding Male Newcomer category because of his work.
Since 1993 Maurice Benard has taken on the role of Sonny Corinthos at General Hospital which remains his definitive career work. Through his portrayal of the complex mob leader Sonny Corinthos he has received three Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series together with multiple other performance honors. Sonny Corinthos from General Hospital served as his most beloved role and brought his work critical success throughout the audience.
After his daytime television success Benard diversified his acting career by appearing in Ruby (1992) and Mi Vida Loca (1993) and several other film appearances. Maurice starred in the 2015 film The Ghost and the Whale showing once more his wide range of acting talents.
The daytime series star Maurice Benard maintained public transparency about his bipolar disorder diagnosis and applies this knowledge to support mental health awareness. His partnership with Mental Health America along with other organizations enables him to fight against mental health stigma.
The success of Benard’s career continues while his mental health advocacy work persists to create a long-term impact.
Personal Assets and Lifestyle
Maurice Benard lives a contented existence with numerous pleasures in his life. Together with his wife Paula Smith since 1990 he fathered four children. Temecula California provides the family the perfect environment of peace as they live outside media attention. The numerous pets living in his house demonstrate Benard’s caring disposition since he loves animals extremely well.
Acting along with production-related work has provided Benard with sufficient personal wealth. His owned residence in California stands as a beautiful property but he keeps other real estate details private from public view. The public knows Benard dedicated effort toward developing his wealth because he now leads an appropriate standard of living.
Maurice Benard dedicates time to mental health advocacy since he routinely speaks about his bipolar disorder at events and through social media. Through his honest display of mental health struggles Benard has gained strong fan support that keeps him vital in his professional field.
The path to success for Maurice Benard proved challenging yet his determination combined with his ability to excel and his public mental health advocacy turned him into a source of inspiration for society. Maurice Benard net worth is $2 million worth of assets while building himself into a successful professional in both television work and business ventures. General Hospital viewers recognize him best as Sonny Corinthos yet his work as an advocate helps mental health patients find support and his television role is his most famous accomplishment. The life examples of Maurice Benard show him as a persevering person who maintains passion paired with resilience.
FAQs
Q1: What is Maurice Benard net worth?
- As of 2025, Maurice Benard net worth is estimated to be $2 million.
Q2: How did Maurice Benard start his acting career?
- Maurice Benard began his acting career in the theater before landing his first significant role on All My Children in 1987.
Q3: What is Maurice Benard’s most famous role?
- Maurice Benard is best known for his role as Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, a character he has portrayed since 1993.
Q4: Has Maurice Benard appeared in any films?
- Yes, Maurice Benard has appeared in several films, including Ruby (1992), Mi Vida Loca (1993), and The Ghost and the Whale (2015).
Q5: Is Maurice Benard involved in any charitable work?
- Yes, Maurice Benard is an advocate for mental health awareness, particularly for those living with bipolar disorder, and he works with organizations such as Mental Health America.
