Dean George Cain ( Tanaka; born July 31, 1966) is an American actor. From 1993 to 1997, he played Clark Kent / Superman in the TV series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Cain was the host of Ripley's Believe It or Not! and appeared in the sports drama series Hit the Floor.

Dean Cain
Cain in 2018
Born
Dean George Tanaka

(1966-07-31) July 31, 1966 (age 57)
Michigan, U.S.
Alma materPrinceton University (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • producer
  • television host
Years active1976–present
Known forLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Hit the Floor
Children1
College football career
Princeton Tigers – No. 11
PositionFree Safety
MajorHistory
Career history
College
High schoolSanta Monica High School

Early life edit

Dean George Tanaka[1] was born on July 31, 1966,[2] in Michigan[3] to Roger Tanaka, a U.S. serviceman, and actress Sharon Thomas.[4] Through his biological father, Cain is of partly Japanese descent, with the rest of his ancestry being Welsh, Irish and French Canadian.[5] Cain has said of his biological father, whom he never met: "He's not the kind of man I want to be. He was an unfaithful husband and not much of a father." Soon after Dean's birth, his mother, pursuing an acting career, moved him and his older brother Roger to Los Angeles. In 1969, Sharon married film director Christopher Cain, who adopted Dean and Roger. The couple moved to Malibu, California, and later had a daughter, Krisinda.[6][4]

Cain attended Santa Monica High School, where he excelled in sports. Among his schoolmates were Charlie Sheen, who played on the same baseball team as Cain when they were children, as well as Rob Lowe and his brother, Chad. Cain graduated from high school in 1984 and attended Princeton University, where he starred as a free safety on the football team, set a Princeton season record with 12 interceptions (in just ten games) during the 1987 season, and finished his collegiate career with 22 interceptions in 30 games. During his senior year, Cain was awarded the John P. Poe–Richard W. Kazmaier, Jr. Football Trophy.[7] He dated actress Brooke Shields while at the university.[6] Cain graduated in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in history. His senior thesis was titled "The History and Development of the Functions of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences".[8]

NFL edit

After graduating, Cain signed on as a free agent with the NFL's Buffalo Bills, but a knee injury during training camp ended his football career prematurely.[9]

Career edit

With little hope of returning to sports, Cain turned to screenwriting and then acting, shooting dozens of commercials including a volleyball-themed spot for Kellogg's Frosted Flakes and appearing on popular television shows like Grapevine, A Different World, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

Cain and Teri Hatcher at the 45th Primetime Emmy Awards rehearsal, September 19, 1993

In 1993, Cain took on his biggest role to date as Superman in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. At the height of its popularity the program would bring in an average of at least 15 million viewers per episode. The series ran for four seasons, ending in 1997.

In 1998, Cain started the Angry Dragon Entertainment production company, which produced the TBS Superstation television series Ripley's Believe It or Not! He has also starred in several films, including The Broken Hearts Club (2000), Rat Race (2001), Out of Time (2003), and Bailey's Billion$ (2004). In 2004, he portrayed Scott Peterson in the made-for-television movie The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story. He appeared in a recurring role as Casey Manning in the television series Las Vegas. Cain made a return to the Superman franchise, with a special guest role in a season seven episode of Smallville as the immortal Dr. Curtis Knox, a character based upon the DC Comics villain Vandal Savage;[10][11] and again in a recurring role on Supergirl, as the title character's foster father, Jeremiah Danvers. He is also the star of the VH1 hit series Hit the Floor as Pete Davenport, who is the new head coach of a fictional NBA team and has an illegitimate daughter who is a cheerleader for his NBA team. He was ranked No. 33 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of the '90s.[12]

Cain was a contestant in an NBC celebrity reality competition series called Stars Earn Stripes. He won four out of six missions on the show, though he came in third in the finals. In 2012, he participated in Fox's dating game show The Choice.[13]

In 2013, Cain hosted a reality show about Bigfoot titled 10 Million Dollar Bigfoot Bounty, where he offered contestants $10 million to prove the existence of Bigfoot. Cain appeared in the mid-season premiere of Comic Book Men, appearing at Kevin Smith's Secret Stash where the crew was celebrating 75 years of Superman, citing that Dean Cain helped people care about Superman again.[citation needed] Cain appeared in the film God's Not Dead, in which he plays an arrogant businessman. In 2016, Cain played a guest role on the Netflix original series Lady Dynamite as Graham the ex-fiancé of Maria Bamford.

Between 2015 and 2017, he portrayed Jeremiah Danvers in Supergirl.[14]

Cain is known for appearing in 16 Christmas films and several faith-based films.[15][16]

As of 2018, Cain is hosting a television infomercial for The National Real Estate Network, an entity which seeks to persuade individuals to attend meetings where they can learn about flipping real estate. In October 2018, it was learned that Ronnie Mund (Ronnie the Limo Driver), the personal driver and bodyguard of radio DJ Howard Stern, had been using a photoshopped picture of Cain as a publicity photo. Specifically, Mund's head had been transposed onto the body of Cain. Mund initially denied the photo was altered but eventually acknowledged he had been using the fraudulent photo for over five years. Mund claimed he was unaware the photo was not genuine.[17] Cain co-starred in the 2018 film Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer about the investigation and trial of Kermit Gosnell. He starred in the film Andy the Talking Hedgehog.[18]

In 2019, Cain starred in the play FBI Lovebirds alongside Kristy Swanson, a play that mocked Peter Strzok and Lisa Page, two FBI agents who were briefly on the team investigating Russian interference in the 2016 United States elections.[19]

In June 2021, it was announced that he would make his directorial debut with Little Angels and star in it.[20]

Cain is the Actor in Residence at High Point University.[21]

Personal life edit

During the 1980s, Cain dated actress Brooke Shields for two years while they were both attending Princeton University.[6] In 1992, he dated professional beach volleyball player and model Gabrielle Reece.[22][23] In 1997, Cain became engaged to singer Mindy McCready;[24] the couple split the following year.[25]

He has a son named Christopher Dean Cain (born June 11, 2000) with ex-girlfriend and Playboy Playmate and Spanish model Samantha Torres.[6] Cain named his son after his father, film director Christopher Cain.

On June 19, 2018, Cain was sworn in as a reserve police officer for the St. Anthony Police Department in St. Anthony, Idaho.[26]

Political views edit

 
Cain with Mike Pompeo on Fox & Friends in 2019

Cain said in 2018 that he was once a registered Republican, but later became a registered Independent, feeling that the Republican Party did not fully represent his views.[27]

Cain voted for Bill Clinton twice, and voted for Al Gore in the 2000 United States presidential election, the latter of which he later said he regretted.[19] He supported John McCain in the 2008 election, and supported Rick Perry in the 2012 election.[28] In 2016 and 2020, he endorsed and voted for Donald Trump.[29][30]

Cain has stated he is "very leftist" on social issues, citing his support of marijuana legalization, and conservative on economic and foreign policy issues.[19]

In 2018, Cain was elected to the board of directors of the National Rifle Association of America.[31][32]

Filmography edit

Film edit

Year Title Role Notes
1976 Elmer Dean Russell
1979 Charlie and the Talking Buzzard Joe
1984 The Stone Boy Eugene Hillerman
1990 Write to Kill Parking valet
1990 Going Under Guy in bar
1992 Miracle Beach Volleyball player no.1
1997 Eating Las Vegas Frank Short film
1997 Best Men Sergeant 'Buzz' Thomas
2000 The Broken Hearts Club: A Romantic Comedy Cole
2000 No Alibi Bob Valenz
2000 Flight of Fancy Clay Bennett
2000 Militia Ethan Carter Direct-to-video
2000 For the Cause General Murran Direct-to-video
2001 Phase IV Simon Tate Direct-to-video
2001 Fire Trap Jack / Max Hooper Also producer
2001 Rat Race Shawn Kent
2001 A Christmas Adventure ...From a Book Called Wisely's Tales Donner (voice) Direct-to-video
2002 New Alcatraz Dr. Robert Trenton Direct-to-video
2002 Dark Descent Will Murdack
2003 Breakaway Morgan
2003 Out of Time Chris Harrison
2003 Grandpa's Place Special appearance Short film
2004 Post Impact Tom Parker
2004 Lost Jeremy Stanton
2004 The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story Scott Peterson
2005 Truth Peter
2005 Bailey's Billion$ Theodore Maxwell
2005 Wrinkles
2006 Max Havoc: Ring of Fire Roger Tarso
2006 September Dawn Joseph Smith
2007 Urban Decay Stan
2008 Ace of Hearts Daniel Harding
2008 Five Dollars a Day Rick Carlson
2009 Aussie and Ted's Great Adventure Michael Brooks
2009 Maneater Harry Direct-to-video
2010 Circle of Pain Wyatt
2010 Abandoned Kevin Peterson
2010 Hole in One Repo Man
2010 Kill Katie Malone Robert
2010 Pure Country 2: The Gift Music Video Director Also co-writer with his father
2010 A Nanny for Christmas Danny Donner
2010 The Way Home Randy Simpkins
2010 Subject: I Love You James Trapp
2010 Bed & Breakfast Jake
2011 5 Days of War Chris Bailot
2011 Home Run Showdown Rico Deluca
2011 Dirty Little Trick Michael
2011 The Fallen Cole
2011 Latin Quarter Appolinaire
2011 Vacation Bryce
2011 The Sandy Creek Girls Jared
2012 Meant to Be Mike
2012 I Am... Gabriel Sheriff Brody
2013 Heaven's Door Leo
2013 Man Camp Luke
2013 Defending Santa Sheriff Scott Hanson
2013 The Tale of the Princess Kaguya The Mikado (voice) English dub
2014 At the Top of the Pyramid Jefferson Parker
2014 God's Not Dead Marc Shelley
2014 The Appearing Dr. Shaw
2014 Airplane vs. Volcano Rick Pierce
2014 A Belle for Christmas Glenn Barrows
2014 Small Town Santa Sheriff Rick Langston originally titled Holiday Miracle; known as Christmas Miracle in the U.K.[33]
2014 Mind's Eye (aka The Black Hole) Mark Willis
2014 A Horse for Summer Kent Walsh
2014 A Dog for Christmas Earl
2014 Horse Camp Luke
2014 The Three Dogateers Matt
2015 Vendetta Mason Danvers
2015 The Dog Who Saved Summer Ted Stein Direct-to-video
2015 Deadly Sanctuary Roy Hollingsworth
2016 DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the Year Jonathan Kent
2016 The Black Hole Mark Willis
2017 Illicit Felipe
2018 The Incantation Abel Baddon
2018 Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial Killer Detective James 'Woody' Wood
2018 Megan's Christmas Miracle John
2018 Andy the Talking Hedgehog Bob (dad)
2018 2050 Maxwell
2018 Prolonged Exposure Detective Jaime Montenegro
2019 The Challenger Disaster Larry Arnold (Lawyer)
2019 Sweet Inspirations Greg
2019 Ria Vice President Flemming
2019 90 Feet from Home Raymond Fuller
2019 The Seven High Priest Asael
2019 The Follower Sheriff
2019 A Promise To Astrid Pastor Scott Seabury
2019 Madness in the Method Dean [34]
2020 OBAMAGATE : The Movie Peter Strzok
2020 Skydog Neil Glasswell
2021 Break Every Chain[35] Pastor Gabe
2021 Trail Blazers Haden Pre-production
2021 A Parent's Worst Nightmare John Belton [36]
2022 No Vacancy Cliff Lea [37]
2023 Miracle at Manchester Dr. Getty
2023 R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic Dog Mayor Completed
TBA Faith Under Fire Pastor Dan Underwood Post-production
TBA Baby Bulldog Judge Kelly Post-production
TBA Little Angels Jake Rogers / director Post-production, first directorial[20]
TBA The Ride Mark Smith Post-production

Television edit

Year Title Role Notes
1989 Christine Cromwell: Things That Go Bump in the Night Unknown Movie
1990 Christine Cromwell: In Vino Veritas Unknown Movie
1990 Life Goes On Kimo Season 2 Episode 2: "Corky and the Dolphins"
1992 A Different World Eddie Episode: "The Cat's in the Cradle"
1992 Grapevine Brian Episode: "The Janice and Brian Story"
1992 Beverly Hills, 90210 Rick 4 episodes
1993 Touchdown: Football Goes to the Movies Himself/host Documentary
1993–1997 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Clark Kent / Superman Also writer on two episodes
1995 Off Camera with Dean Cain Himself/host Also director and producer
1995 Living Single Himself Episode 11: "Mommy Not Dearest"
1996 Cutty Whitman Clark Kent Movie; uncredited
1997 Rag and Bone Tony Moran Movie; also producer
1998 Adventures from the Book of Virtues King Charlemagne (voice) Episode: "Integrity"
1998 Futuresport Tremayne 'Tre The Pharaoh' Ramzey Movie
1999–2003 Ripley's Believe It or Not! Himself/host Also producer
1998 Dogboys Julian Taylor Movie
2000 The Runaway Sheriff Frank Richards Movie
2001 Just Shoot Me! Chris Williams Episode: "Maya Stops Thinking"
2002 Gentle Ben Jack Wedloe Movie
2002 The Glow Matt Lawrence Movie
2002 Frasier Rick Episode: "We Two Kings"
2002 Christmas Rush Lieutenant Cornelius Morgan Movie
2003 Gentle Ben 2: Danger on the Mountain Jack Wedloe Movie
2003 Dragon Fighter Captain David Carver Movie; also producer
2003–2004 The Division Inspector Jack Ellis 8 episodes
2004 I Do (But I Don't) Nick Corina Movie
2004 The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson Story Scott Peterson Movie
2004–2005 Clubhouse Conrad Dean 11 episodes
2005 Mayday Commander James Slan Movie
2005 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Dr. Mike Jergens Episode: "Starved"
2005 Hope & Faith Larry Walker 4 episodes
2005–2006 Las Vegas Casey Manning 9 episodes
2006 Dead and Deader Lieutenant Bobby Quinn Movie
2006 10.5: Apocalypse Brad Miniseries
2006 A Christmas Wedding Tucker Movie
2007 Crossroads: A Story of Forgiveness Bruce Murakami Movie
2007 Final Approach Jack Bender Movie
2007 Hidden Camera Dan Kovacs Movie
2007 Smallville Dr. Curtis Knox Episode: "Cure"
2007 CSI: Miami Roger Partney Episode: "Permanent Vacation"
2008 Making Mr. Right Eddie Movie
2009 The Gambler, the Girl and the Gunslinger Shea McCall Movie
2009 The Three Gifts Jack Green Movie
2009 The Dog Who Saved Christmas Ted Stein Movie
2009 Entourage Dean Cain Episode: "Scared Straight"
2010 Frost Giant J.C. Movie
2010 The Dog Who Saved Christmas Vacation Ted Stein Movie
2011 A Mile in His Shoes Arthur 'Murph' Murphy Movie
2011 Burn Notice Ryan Pewterbaugh Episode: "Fail Safe"
2011 The Dog Who Saved Halloween Ted Stein Movie
2011 The Case for Christmas Michael Sherman TV movie

Kris Kringle's Lawyer

2012 Operation Cupcake Griff Carson Movie
2012 Criminal Minds Curtis Banks Episode: "Snake Eyes"
2012 Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 Himself 3 episodes
2012 Stars Earn Stripes Himself 5 episodes
2012 The Choice Himself / Contestant
2012 Bloopers Himself/host
2012 The Dog Who Saved the Holidays Ted Stein Movie
2013–2016,
2018
Hit the Floor Pete Davenport
2013 Texas Takedown: The Real Men in Black Narrator
2014 Merry Ex-Mas Jessie Rogers Movie
2014 Mulaney Himself Pilot episode
2014 The Dog Who Saved Easter Ted Stein Movie
2014–present Masters of Illusion Himself/host
2015 A Wish Come True Himself Movie
2015 The Dog Who Saved Summer Ted Stein Movie
2015 Beverly Hills Christmas Archangel Gabriel Movie
2015–17 Supergirl Jeremiah Danvers 6 episodes
2016 Broadcasting Christmas Charlie Fisher Hallmark Channel Original Movie
2016 The Jump Himself
2016 Lady Dynamite Graham 6 episodes
2016 Good Morning Christmas Charlie Fisher Movie
2018 Winter's Dream Ty Movie
2023 The Curse Mark Rose 2 episodes

Video games edit

Year Title Voice role Notes
2002 Grandia Xtreme Evann [38]

References edit

  1. ^ Rossen, Jake (2008). Superman Vs. Hollywood: How Fiendish Producers, Devious Directors, and Warring Writers Grounded an American Icon. Chicago Review Press. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-56976-501-2. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  2. ^ "CNN Almanac – Wednesday, July 31, 1996". www.cnn.com. July 31, 1996. Archived from the original on January 21, 2011. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  3. ^ Graham, Adam (October 28, 2020). "Billie Eilish, Jeff Daniels, Tim Allen weigh in on Michigan's political races". The Detroit News. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Nakayama, William. "Dean Cain: Humanizing Superman". Goldsea. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  5. ^ Shales, Tom (September 23, 1993). "It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's a Hunk!; 'Lois & Clark's' Dean Cain, Flying the Friendly Skies". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 3, 2023. I'm mostly Welsh, and then one-quarter Japanese, Irish and French Canadian ... I have never met my biological father. My Japanese comes from him.
  6. ^ a b c d Tauber, Michelle (October 13, 2003). "Cain, Able". People. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 11, 2021.
  7. ^ "Tigers Football". Tigers Football. September 23, 2015. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Dean Cain". Ripley's Believe It or Not!. Archived from the original on March 9, 2009. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  9. ^ O'Connor, John J. (April 9, 1995). "TELEVISION VIEW; That Man in a Cape Is Still Flying". The New York Times. Archived from the original on May 18, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  10. ^ Al Septien & Turi Meyer (writers); Rick Rosenthal (director) (October 18, 2007). "Cure". Smallville. Season 7. Episode 4. The CW.
  11. ^ Carabott, Chris (May 14, 2012). "Smallville: 'Cure' Review". IGN. Archived from the original on May 29, 2012. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  12. ^ "VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of the '90s". LiveJournal. June 21, 2009. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  13. ^ Hibberd, James (May 8, 2012). "Fox's 'The Choice' cast revealed! Joe Jonas, Dean Cain, The Situation, many more – EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on March 24, 2013. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  14. ^ Holbrook, Damian. "Coming Attractions". TV Guide Comic-Con Special 2015: 72. Former Lois & Clark cape wearer Dean Cain and original Supergirl film star Helen Slater pop up as Jeremiah and Eliza Danvers, the scientists who adopt Kara.
  15. ^ Howard, Kirsten (December 1, 2015). "Dean Cain's Christmas movies: an (almost) definitive guide". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on September 29, 2018. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  16. ^ Howard, Kirsten (June 7, 2017). "Dean Cain has made 3 more Christmas movies". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  17. ^ "Ronnie Mund's Face Was Photoshopped Onto Dean Cain's Body for a Promotional Photo, but Did He Know?". Howard Stern. October 22, 2018. Archived from the original on October 22, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  18. ^ Ervin, Jeremy (November 8, 2018). "Film featuring Marysville girl to show at Sperry's". The Times Herald. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved March 14, 2021.
  19. ^ a b c Polus, Sarah (June 24, 2019). "Former Superman and 'FBI Lovebirds' star Dean Cain explains where he falls politically". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  20. ^ a b Grobar, Matt (July 1, 2021). "Dean Cain To Direct And Star in Family Comedy 'Little Angels' Opposite Helena Mattsson, Carla Jimenez & More". Deadline. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  21. ^ "HPU Broadens List of Global Leaders in Residence with Famed Actor Dean Cain". High Point University. February 9, 2021. Retrieved October 29, 2021.
  22. ^ Tolliver, Lee (July 27, 1994). "Pro Beach Volleyball The Televised Finale of Women's Professional Circuit Has A Super - And Superman - Following". The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk. Archived from the original on January 11, 2005. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  23. ^ "Dean Cain Dishes On His Date From The Choice". Access Hollywood. June 15, 2012. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  24. ^ Byrne, Bridget (September 10, 1997). "Superman Gets Engaged". E! News. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  25. ^ Finan, Eileen (April 29, 2008). "Mindy McCready Admits to Relationship with Roger Clemens". People. Archived from the original on June 4, 2008. Retrieved February 9, 2022.
  26. ^ "Dean Cain joins Idaho police department". CBS News. June 21, 2018. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  27. ^ "Dean Cain on Being a Trump Supporter in Hollywood". Washington Journal. September 22, 2018. Archived from the original on June 25, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  28. ^ Tanabe, Karin (September 22, 2011). "Superman Dean Cain endorses Rick Perry". Politico. Archived from the original on March 16, 2015. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  29. ^ Merry, Stephanie (July 18, 2016). "Clinton vs. Trump: Whose celebrities are better? A scrupulously fair analysis". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on July 19, 2016. Retrieved July 31, 2016.
  30. ^ "Superman voted Trump - but for his policies, not his personality". The Irish Independent. November 8, 2020.
  31. ^ Cain, Dean [@realdeancain] (May 29, 2018). "I'm on the board of the NRA. I'm definitely #2A!" (Tweet). Archived from the original on October 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019 – via Twitter.
  32. ^ Hickman, Matt (May 3, 2019). "Man of Steel: Former Superman, new NRA board member headlines second Arctic Comic-Con this weekend". Anchorage Press. Archived from the original on August 12, 2019. Retrieved August 12, 2019.
  33. ^ "Holiday Miracle". Apple TV. October 27, 2014. Choose country or region. Retrieved July 19, 2022.
  34. ^ "Film - Madness in the Method". Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  35. ^ Haynes, Carly (October 6, 2020). "Local police officer turns personal experiences into upcoming movie". WCAV News. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
  36. ^ "Watch Trafficked: A Parent's Worst Nightmare | Prime Video". amazon.com. Retrieved July 1, 2021.
  37. ^ Christiansen, Kathleen (September 17, 2021). "Leesburg takes the spotlight in new film". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved October 15, 2021.
  38. ^ "Dean Cain (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 30, 2021. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its opening and/or closing credits and/or other reliable sources of information.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)

External links edit