Cory Hardrict

A prolific television performer since the late 1990s, Cory Hardrict moved smoothly between broad comedies and straight dramas while also making occasional appearances in features like "Never Been Kissed" (1999) and "Gran Torino" (2008). Hardrict's career took the course of a utility player, transitioning between bit and supporting roles major studio features and primetime programs and major roles in minor independent features. He also dabbled briefly in producing and enjoyed a second venue of fame as himself on the reality TV series "Tia & Tamera" (Style Network, 2011-13), which starred his wife, fellow television star Tia Mowry. Hardrict's career finally struck pay dirt with a string of major roles beginning in 2013 with "Lovelace" and "Warm Bodies." That said, Hardrict's lengthy resume and versatility underscored his status as a well-liked performer in two distinct mediums.

Born in Chicago, Illinois on November 9, 1979, Cory Hardrict began appearing on television in his late teens, logging numerous hours on youth-oriented series like "Smart Guy" (The WB, 1997-99), which starred his future brother-in-law, actor Tahj Mowry, and "Felicity" (The WB, 1998-2002). He also made his feature film debut in the Drew Barrymore vehicle "Never Been Kissed" during this period. Hardrict soon graduated to more adult fare with guest roles on "Chicago Hope" (CBS, 1994-2000) and "Boston Public" (Fox, 2000-04) as well as features like "Crazy/Beautiful" (2001). In 2005 he took a detour into low-budget filmmaking, taking roles in the direct-to-video horror title "Return of the Living Dead: Necropolis" and its sequel, "Return of the Living Dead: Rave to the Grave," as well as the urban thriller "Neighborhood Watch" (2007), for which he also served as executive producer. That year, he and actress Tia Mowry, who he had been dating for six years prior, were officially engaged on Christmas Day before marrying in Santa Barbara, California on April 20, 2008. By this point, Hardrict had returned to the mainstream with a recurring role on the drama "Lincoln Heights" (ABC Family, 2007-2010) and a bit part in Clint Eastwood's "Gran Torino." Steady work in major features like "He's Just Not That Into You" (2009) and TV series like "The Game" (The CW, 2006-15), which featured Mowry, kept him in the public eye. In 2011, he and Mowry announced that they were expecting their first child. The pregnancy and eventual birth of their son, Cree Taylor Hardrict on June 28, 2011, became a major part of the reality series "Tia & Tamera," which focused on the off-camera lives of Mowry and her identical twin, Tamera Mowry. While maintaining his second career as a reality TV star, Hardrict's acting assignments continued to grow in stature, most notably with the science fiction thriller "Battle: Los Angeles" (2011), the 2013 biopic "Lovelace," and the horror-comedy "Warm Bodies."