Dean Cain

Dean Cain Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: July 31, 1966

Age: 58 years old

Birth Place: Mount Clemens, Michigan

After establishing himself as a talent to watch in episodes of "Life Goes On" (ABC, 1989-1993) and "Beverly Hills 90210" (Fox, 1990-200), actor Dean Cain made his name by donning the red cape for "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" (ABC, 1993-97). For several years, opposite co-star Teri Hatcher, Cain made the widely-played role his own. By opting to portray both Superman and Clark Kent as hunky heartthrobs in a contemporary romance, Cain helped pave the way for the mainstream acceptance of comic book superheroes. It did not hurt that he was a good-looking former athlete whose freak knee injury was all that stood in the way of a pro football career.

After "Lois & Clark" left the airwaves, Cain receded from the headlines, though he continued to work, hosting a revamped "Ripley's Believe It or Not" (TBS, 1999-2004), exploring his villainous side in the thriller "Out of Time" (2003), and playing the murderous, deceitful Scott Peterson in "The Perfect Husband" (USA, 2004). Cain continued working steadily in both TV and film, co-starring in the series "Clubhouse" (CBS 2004-05) and "Hit the Floor" (VH1/BET 2013- ) and appearing in films ranging from religious drama "God's Not Dead" (2014) to supernatural horror "The Appearing" (2014).

Born Dean George Tanaka on July 31, 1966, in Mt. Clemens, MI, Cain was the son of actress Sharon Thomas and U.S. Army serviceman Roger Tanaka, who left his mother before he was even born. Cain and brother Roger were later adopted by his mother's second husband, director Christopher Cain. After moving to California with his parents, he took up acting as a child, appearing in bit parts in the films, "Elmer," (1976) and "Charlie & The Talking Buzzard" (1979). Cain later attended Santa Monica High School, where he earned scholarship offers as a star athlete, while also appearing in his first speaking role in his step-father's film "The Stone Boy" (1984). Upon graduation, he enrolled at Princeton University, where he played football as a free safety and defensive back, as well as excelled in volleyball. Cain set a school record for interceptions in a single game while, at the same time, scoring off the field by dating fellow student Brooke Shields. After earning his bachelor's in history, Cain signed as a free agent with the Buffalo Bills, but a devastating preseason knee injury ended his football career.

Not surprisingly, Cain returned to film full time, first trying his hand at screenwriting, then acting. Thanks to his talent and good looks, he had little trouble landing jobs in commercials and bit parts in television - one of his first was the made-for-television movie, "Things That Go Bump in the Night" (ABC, 1989). He went on to appear in the follow-up series of the same name, then made guest appearances on "Life Goes On" and "A Different World," (NBC, 1987-93). Cain managed to draw attention with a four-episode stint as Rick, the dashing boyfriend of Brenda (Shannon Doherty), on "Beverly Hills, 90210" (Fox, 1990-2000). After a handful of bit parts in between, Cain landed the role of Superman in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." Conceived as a new take on the superhero, the show focused on the romantic storyline of Clark and Lois Lane, played by Teri Hatcher. The show was an instant success and surprise hit with female viewers, who were quickly drawn in to the romantic, fanciful storylines. Cain was straightforward in his characterization of Superman. But the bigger role was Clark, with the actor eschewing the standard nerdy, awkward reporter for a more handsome, dashing journalist.

The show was a ratings hit for four seasons, while Cain was able to flex his writing muscles, penning episodes in the second and third seasons. During this time, he also wrote and hosted a prime time special, "Off Camera With Dean Cain," profiling the lives of celebrities such as Andrew Shue and Daphne Zuniga. At the peak of popularity of "Lois & Clark," producers took the bold step of marrying Lois and Clark - but when it was revealed that Clark mistakenly married a clone of Lois, many fans felt that they were cheated. Lois and Clark wed for real in the third episode of the fourth season, but by then viewership had already dropped. A finale suggesting that Lois and Clark would be adoptive parents when an infant arrives on their doorstep, failed to get the show renewed for a fifth season.

Free of the red cape, Cain moved on to a series of smaller roles and guest parts. He developed, produced and hosted "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" which ran for four seasons on TBS before its cancellation. He also guest starred on the short-lived remake of "Fantasy Island," (ABC, 1998-99), and on episodes of "Just Shoot Me," (NBC, 1997-2003) and "Frasier" (NBC, 1993-2004). He also had a regular role on "The Division," (Lifetime, 2001-04), playing the character of Inspector Jack Ellis. Back in the feature world, he had a small part in the 2001 Jerry Zucker comedy "Rat Race," but made subsequent appearances in mainly B-movie action fare such as "Firetrap," (2001) "New Alcatraz," (2002) and "Dark Descent" (2002). He raised his profile, however, playing the heavy in the 2003 Denzel Washington thriller, "Out of Time," in 2003.

The role of the bad guy led to his portrayal of Scott Peterson in the 2004 television movie, "The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story," for the USA Network. Initially reluctant to take a role he feared would be exploitative, Cain changed his mind, thanks to encouragement from his father to take on the part - but only if the script was good and it allowed him a chance to stretch his acting chops. Since that high profile role, Cain appeared as a regular on "Hope & Faith," (ABC, 2003-06) and played the recurring character of Casey Manning on the hit series, "Las Vegas" (NBC, 2003-08). He had a lead role in the made-for-television disaster epic, "10.5: Apocalypse," (NBC, 2006), then starred in another made-for-TV holiday romance, "A Christmas Wedding," (Lifetime, 2006), and the miniseries, "Final Approach" (Hallmark, 2007). In "September Dawn" (2007), his step-father's period drama on the Mountain Meadows Massacre in 1857, Cain had a small, but significant role as Joseph Smith, founder of the controversial Mormon Church. Cain continued working steadily in TV movies and in guest roles on TV series, often--as on "Entourage" (HBO 2004-2011) and "Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23" (ABC 2012-13)--playing a tongue-in-cheek version of himself. Cain hosted a revived version of the series "Bloopers" (Syndicated 2012-13) and co-starred in the religious drama "God's Not Dead" (2014). Cain co-starred in basketball drama "Hit the Floor" (VH1/BET 2013- ) and had recurring roles in "Supergirl" (CBS/CW 2015- ) and Maria Bamford's comedy series "Lady Dynamite" (Netflix 2016-18).

Credits

The Phantom Warrior

Actor
The Sheriff
Movie
2024

The Karate Princess

Actor
Movie
2024

God's Not Dead: In God We Trust

Actor
Movie
2024

And God Made Man

Actor
Judge Franks
Movie
2024

Hope

Actor
Movie
2024

Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Special
2023

Miracle at Manchester

Actor
Show
2023

R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic Dog

Actor
Movie
2023

Success Camp

Actor
Movie
2023

Condition of Return

Actor
Dr. Donald Thomas
Movie
2023

Ghost Trader

Actor
Dirty Government Official
Movie
2023

Hank's Christmas Wish

Actor
Mayor Dean
Movie
2023

Bumbling Ballerina

Actor
Detective
Movie
2023

Driving Fast and Saving Lives Since 2001

Actor
Movie
2023

Ocean Emergency: Currents of Hope

Host
Special
2022

2th Annual Family Film Awards

Host
Show
2022

Family Film Awards

Host
Show
2022

The 90th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2022

Christmas Around the USA

Host
Special
2022

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic 2022

Host
Show
2022

One Cop's Journey

Actor
Pastor Dale
Show
2022

No Vacancy

Actor
Pastor Cliff Lea
Movie
2022

No Vacancy

Producer
Movie
2022

The Greatest Coach of All Time

Actor
Al Jackson
Movie
2022

Glass Walls

Actor
Ozzy
Movie
2022

Paul's Promise

Actor
Captain John Ratliffe
Movie
2022

Miracle at Manchester

Actor
Dr. Getty
Movie
2022

Drop the Beat

Actor
Pastor
Movie
2022

Not for Sale

Actor
Det. Derrick Tanner
Movie
2022

Forgiving God

Actor
Pastor Mark
Movie
2022

Letters at Christmas

Actor
Movie
2022

The 89th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2021

Christmas Around the World

Host
Show
2021

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic 2021

Host
Show
2021

The 24th Family Film Awards

Host
Show
2021

Masters of Illusion: Extras

Host
Show
2021

A Parent's Worst Nightmare

Actor
John Belton
Movie
2021

Don't Give Up

Actor
Tom Samuel
Movie
2021

The Man Who Went To Heaven

Actor
Pastor Grooms
Movie
2021

The Story of Mother's Day

Actor
Principal Robert Ellis
Movie
2021

Forgiven

Actor
Pastor Mark
Movie
2021

Break Every Chain

Actor
Pastor Gabe
Movie
2021

Chosen

Self
Movie
2021

Heroes on the Front Line

Host
Special
2020

Trump vs. Hollywood

Actor
Show
2020

The Hollywood Christmas Parade Greatest Moments

Guest
Show
2020

Fox Nation Happy Hour

Guest
Show
2020

Masters of Illusion: Impossible Escapes

Host
Show
2020

Tooning Out the NewsStream

Guest
Talk
2020

Agent Toby Barks

Actor
Ted
Movie
2020

Dispatched

Actor
Movie
2020

Sky Dog

Actor
Neil Glasswell
Movie
2020

Faith Under Fire

Actor
Pastor Dan Underwood
Movie
2020

One Life at a Time

Actor
Jason Campbell
Movie
2020

R.I.A.

Actor
Vice President Flemming
Movie
2020

Light Up Night

Actor
Boaz Perez
Movie
2020

Who Can Forget?

Actor
Show
2019

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic 2019

Host
Show
2019

The Christmas Caroler Challenge

Host
Reality
2019

The 88th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2019

The 13 Scariest Movies of All Time

Host
Special
2019

Masters of Illusion 21st Anniversary Special

Host
Show
2019

The Top 10 Greatest Animal Movies of All Time

Host
Show
2019

Kitten Bowl VI

Actor
Show
2019

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors

Host
Awards
2019

The Challenger Disaster

Actor
Larry Arnold
Movie
2019

Baby Bulldog

Actor
Judge Kelly
Movie
2019

A Promise to Astrid

Actor
Movie
2019

Sweet Inspirations

Actor
Greg
Movie
2019

The Seven

Actor
High Priest Asael
Movie
2019

The Seven

Producer
Movie
2019

Revenge of the Mask 2

Actor
Movie
2019

90 Feet From Home

Actor
Raymond Fuller
Movie
2019

A Child of the King

Actor
Todd King
Movie
2019

The Zombie Club

Actor
Principal Mazza
Movie
2019

John Light

Actor
Tom Morgan
Movie
2019

Jack Jonah

Actor
Officer Tourville
Movie
2019

The Follower

Actor
Sheriff
Movie
2019

The 87th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2018

Fox Nation UN PC

Guest
Show
2018

The Quiz Show

Guest
Show
2018

2018 National Memorial Day Parade

Host
Show
2018

Denial

Host
Show
2018

The Top 14 Greatest Valentine's Day Movies of All Time

Host
Show
2018

Kitten Bowl V

Actor
Show
2018

Winter's Dream

Actor
Ty Decker
Movie
2018

The Incantation

Actor
Abel Baddon
Movie
2018

Gosnell

Actor
Detective James "Woody" Wood
Movie
2018

2050

Actor
Maxwell
Movie
2018

Andy the Talking Hedgehog

Actor
Bob
Movie
2018

Prolonged Exposure

Actor
Det. Jaime Montenegro
Movie
2018

Megan's Christmas Miracle

Actor
John
Movie
2018

Countdown to 2018

Host
Show
2017

The 86th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2017

Access Live

Guest
Show
2017

Masters of Illusion: Christmas Magic

Host
Show
2017

The 15 Most Iconic Summer Blockbusters of All Time

Host
Show
2017

Illicit

Actor
Felipe
Movie
2017

Architects of Denial

Executive Producer
Movie
2017

The Perfect Day

Actor
Movie
2017

The 85th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2016

The Top 12 Greatest Christmas Movies of All Time

Host
Show
2016

The Hollywood Walk of Fame Honors

Guest
Show
2016

ToyMakerz

Guest Star
Show
2016

Today's Take

Guest
Show
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High

Voice
Jonathan Kent
Show
2016

Broadcasting Christmas

Actor
Charlie Fisher
Movie
2016

DC Super Hero Girls: Super Hero High

Voice
Jonathan Kent
Movie
2016

The 84th Annual Hollywood Christmas Parade

Host
Show
2015

Celebrity Food Fight

Contestant
Show
2015

SupergirlStream

Guest Star
Dr. Jeremiah Danvers
Series
2015
88%

DC Super Hero Girls

Voice
Jonathan Kent
Series
2015

FABLife

Guest
Talk
2015

Koze Kuse

Actor
Show
2015

A Horse for Summer

Actor
Kent Walsh
Movie
2015

A Wish Come True

Actor
Dean Cain
Movie
2015

Horse Camp

Actor
Luke Muxlow
Movie
2015

The Dog Who Saved SummerStream

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2015

Mind's Eye

Actor
Mark Willis
Movie
2015

Vendetta

Actor
Mason
Movie
2015

Deadly Sanctuary

Actor
Roy Hollingsworth
Movie
2015

Beverly Hills Christmas

Actor
Archangel Gabriel
Movie
2015

A Dog for Christmas

Actor
Earl
Movie
2015

The Meredith Vieira Show

Guest
Talk
2014

Masters of IllusionStream

Host
Reality
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Guest
Show
2014

The Jump

Contestant
Show
2014

10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty

Host
Show
2014

Holiday Miracle

Actor
Sheriff Rick Langston
Movie
2014

God's Not DeadStream

Actor
Mark
Movie
2014

Airplane vs Volcano

Actor
Rick Pierce
Movie
2014

The Dog Who Saved Easter

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2014

A Belle for Christmas

Actor
Glenn Barrows
Movie
2014

The Three Dogateers

Actor
Matt
Movie
2014

Merry Ex-Mas

Actor
Jessie Rogers
Movie
2014

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Politicking With Larry King

Guest
Show
2013

Hit the FloorStream

Actor
Pete Davenport
Series
2013

Defending Santa

Actor
Sheriff Scott Hanson
Movie
2013

The Appearing

Actor
Dr. Shaw
Movie
2013

Man Camp

Actor
Luke
Movie
2013

The Tale of the Princess Kaguya

Voice
The Mikado
Movie
2013

The Hollywood Christmas Parade

Guest
Show
2012

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Katie

Guest
Talk
2012

Bloopers

Host
Show
2012

Stars Earn StripesStream

Contestant
Reality
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

The Choice

Contestant
Show
2012

Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23Stream

Guest Star
Series
2012
85%

Fools on the Hill

Actor
Movie
2012

Operation Cupcake

Actor
TJ Carson
Movie
2012

Sweetwater

Actor
Trey
Movie
2012

I Am... Gabriel

Actor
Sheriff Brody
Movie
2012

Doorway to Heaven

Actor
Leo
Movie
2012

The Dog Who Saved the Holidays

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2012

Beyond Pollution

Narrator
Movie
2012

Meant to Be

Actor
Mike
Movie
2012

Vietnam in HD

Guest Star
Bob Clewell
Show
2011

Vietnam in HD

Guest Voice
Bob Clewell
Show
2011

Elizabeth Stanton's Great Big WorldStream

Guest
Series
2011

Big Morning Buzz Live

Guest
Show
2011

5 Days of War

Actor
Chris Bailot
Movie
2011

The Dog Who Saved Halloween

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2011

A Mile in His Shoes

Actor
Arthur "Murph" Murphy
Movie
2011

Dirty Little Trick

Actor
Michael
Movie
2011

The Case for Christmas

Actor
Michael Sherman
Movie
2011

Home Run Showdown

Actor
Rico Deluca
Movie
2011

The TalkStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Host
Show
2010

Worst Cooks in AmericaStream

Contestant
Reality
2010

Frost Giant

Actor
JC
Movie
2010

Abandoned

Actor
Kevin Peterson
Movie
2010

Pure Country 2: The Gift

Actor
Director
Movie
2010

Pure Country 2: The Gift

Screenwriter
Movie
2010

The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2010

A Nanny for Christmas

Actor
Danny Donner
Movie
2010

Kill Katie Malone

Actor
Robert
Movie
2010

Circle of Pain

Actor
Wyatt
Movie
2010

Bed & Breakfast

Actor
Jake
Movie
2010

Miss Universe 2009

Judge
Show
2009

Shark TankStream

Guest Star
Reality
2009

Heroes Among Us: The 2009 Hero Awards

Host
Show
2009

The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger

Actor
Shea McCall
Movie
2009

The Way Home

Actor
Randy Simpkins
Movie
2009

Aussie & Ted's Great Adventure

Actor
Movie
2009

The Dog Who Saved Christmas

Actor
Ted Stein
Movie
2009

The Three Gifts

Actor
Jack Green
Movie
2009

Maneater

Actor
Harry
Movie
2009

Maneater

Executive Producer
Movie
2009

Eyes on Kenya

Guest
Show
2008

The 2008 Hero Awards

Host
Show
2008

Final Approach

Actor
Jack Bender
Show
2008

Making Mr. Right

Actor
Eddie
Movie
2008

Ace of Hearts

Actor
Dan Harding
Movie
2008

Five Dollars a Day

Actor
Movie
2008

Today With Kathie Lee & Hoda

Guest
Show
2007

Burn NoticeStream

Guest Star
Ryan Pewterbaugh
Series
2007
88%

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

Are You Smarter Than a 5th GraderStream

Contestant
Game Show
2007

Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness

Actor
Bruce Murakami
Movie
2007

Final Approach

Actor
Jack Bender
Movie
2007

Hidden Camera

Actor
Dan Kovacs
Movie
2007

Rachael Ray ShowStream

Guest
Talk
2006

10.5: ApocalypseStream

Actor
Brad Malloy
Miniseries
2006

Truth

Actor
Peter
Movie
2006

Max Havoc: Ring of Fire

Actor
Roger Tarso
Movie
2006

Dead & Deader

Actor
Lt. Bobby Quinn
Movie
2006

A Christmas Wedding

Actor
Tucker
Movie
2006

September Dawn

Actor
Joseph Smith
Movie
2006

Criminal Minds: EvolutionStream

Guest Star
Series
2005

Robot ChickenStream

Guest Voice
Series
2005

Bailey's Billions

Actor
Theodore Maxwell
Movie
2005

Lost

Actor
Jeremy Stanton
Movie
2005

Mayday

Actor
Commander James Slan
Movie
2005

Clubhouse

Actor
Conrad Dean
Series
2004

EntourageStream

Guest Star
Dean Cain
Series
2004
65%

Laura McKenzie's Traveler

Guest
Show
2004

I Do (But I Don't)

Actor
Nick Corina
Movie
2004

The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story

Actor
Scott Peterson
Movie
2004

Hope & Faith

Guest Star
Series
2003

Las VegasStream

Guest Star
Series
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

Gentle Ben 2: Danger on the Mountain

Actor
Jack Wedloe
Movie
2003

Dragon Fighter

Actor
Capt. David Carver
Movie
2003

Dragon Fighter

Producer
Movie
2003

Out of TimeStream

Actor
Chris Harrison
Movie
2003
64%

Post Impact

Actor
Capt. Tom Parker
Movie
2003

CSI: MiamiStream

Guest Star
Series
2002

FOX and Friends Saturday

Host
Show
2002

FOX and Friends Sunday

Host
Show
2002

The Glow

Actor
Matt Lawrence
Movie
2002

Christmas Rush

Actor
Lt. Cornelius Morgan
Movie
2002

Gentle Ben

Actor
Jack Wedloe
Movie
2002

Dark Descent

Actor
Will Murdock
Movie
2002

SmallvilleStream

Guest Star
Curtis Knox, M.D.
Series
2001
78%

The Division

Guest Star
Series
2001

A Christmas Adventure... From a Book Called Wisely's Tales

Voice
Donner
Movie
2001

Rat RaceStream

Actor
Shawn
Movie
2001
45%

Phase IVStream

Actor
Simon Tate
Movie
2001
53%

Ripley's Believe It or Not!

Host
Show
2000

Militia

Actor
Ethan Carter
Movie
2000

The Broken Hearts Club

Actor
Cole
Movie
2000

The Runaway

Actor
Sheriff Frank Richards
Movie
2000

Firetrap

Actor
Jack/Max Hooper
Movie
2000

New Alcatraz

Actor
Dr. Robert Trenton
Movie
2000

Final Encounter

Actor
Gen. Murran
Movie
2000

Law & Order: Special Victims UnitStream

Guest Star
Dr. Mike Jergens
Series
1999
78%

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

No Alibi

Actor
Bob Valenz
Movie
1999

Flight of Fancy

Actor
Clay Bennett
Movie
1999

Fantasy IslandStream

Guest Star
Series
1998

Dogboys

Actor
Julian Taylor
Movie
1998

Best Men

Actor
Buzz
Movie
1998

Futuresport

Actor
Tre Ramzey
Movie
1998

Rag and Bone

Actor
Det. Tony Moran
Movie
1998

Rag and Bone

Producer
Movie
1998

Bloopers!

Host
Show
1997

Just Shoot MeStream

Guest Star
Chris
Series
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Off Camera With Dean Cain

Executive Producer
Show
1995

Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every ChildStream

Voice
Series
1995

FrasierStream

Guest Star
Rick
Series
1993
95%

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanStream

Actor
Clark Kent/Superman
Series
1993
86%

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanStream

Writer
Series
1993
86%

Living SingleStream

Guest Star
Series
1993

The Stone Boy

Actor
Eugene Hillerman
Movie
1984

Entertainment Tonight

Guest
News
1981

Today

Guest
News
1952

News aboutDean Cain