*Maurice Benard*
			Actor Maurice Benard, born Mauricio Morales, brings his own deeply personal experiences, both high and low, to the portrayal of Sonny, adding color, menace and seduction to an already intricate character. He first appeared in the role on August 13, 1993. Mr. Benard's multi-cultural upbringing began in San Francisco where he was born to parents from Nicaragua and San Salvador. Uninspired by the traditional education route, Maurice gleaned an education in the open job market after high school. His dark good looks and intense gaze brought him modeling jobs in his early 20s. Following that, Mr. Benard took up acting in numerous theatrical productions in the Bay area. After auditioning for a role on the ABC daytime drama, "All My Children," Mr. Benard was cast as Nico Kelly -- a role tailor-made for him. After two years on "All My Children," Maurice moved to Los Angeles in 1988, where he was soon cast to star in the much-publicized TV movie, "Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter." He later had a pivotal role in the feature film, "Ruby," among several other prominent film and television credits. Mr. Benard lives in the Hollywood Hills area of Southern California. He enjoys the martial arts, working out and enjoying a menagerie of dogs and a cat. Maurice and his wife, Paula, are the proud parents of daughter Caelie Sophia, born in September, 1994. Information from Soap Opera Central