Kevin Bernhardt

Kevin Bernhardt
Born Daytona Beach, Florida, USA
Years active 1985–present
Spouse(s) Apollonia Kotero (1987–1997)

Kevin Bernhardt is an American screenwriter, film actor, television actor, and producer. Bernhardt is best known as a screenwriter, with over 25 screenplays produced in as many years. Bernhardt started as an actor in TV, with roles on Dynasty in 1990 and General Hospital (1985–1988). Following that, he had a dozen lead film roles until the mid-90's - when he began seeing his screenplays produced - and decided to focus on writing.

Early life and education

Bernhardt, originally Barnhart, who was born in Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was adopted by Navy Damage Control Officer 'Red' Barnhart and wife Beverly. Years there were spent at an African-American elementary school (Turie T. Small), as part of the integration which continued in the late 1960s. His family relocated to a trailer park in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania, where he divided his time after school - between working with his grandfather as a lumberjack, and becoming an Eagle Scout.

Bernhardt attended college at Binghamton University on a National Merit Scholarship sponsored by the Eureka tent factory, where his mother worked. He supplemented his income as a car mechanic.

Career

After completing a Bachelor's Degree in Economics in the winter of 1984, he immediately traveled to Los Angeles, where he passed the Series 7 exam and was hired by Robert Brandt and Company, the only fourth market securities trading firm in the country. But his true passion was the theater, and after six months successfully trading stocks between institutional investors, Bernhardt left it behind for a career as a screenwriter/actor.

He landed a coveted contract role on General Hospital, replacing then-popular daytime actor Jack Wagner during a contract dispute – in his coveted role as singer Frisco Jones. Wagner returned, but ABC then took the unprecedented step of creating another entirely different role for Bernhardt on the same show. He was the center of attention in the newly created 'Laurelton Murders' storyline, and with it General Hospital led the ratings for two years.

Though he preferred screen-writing, Bernhardt took acting seriously enough to study in the small master class taught by Stella Adler. And he continued to work steadily as an actor for several years; in TV with another contract role as a priest on Dynasty, as well as several mostly 'bad-guy' leads in films such as Hellraiser III. But once he saw his first screenplay produced – he decided to devote his undivided attention to writing.

Since then his writing has attracted a diverse array of well-known actors, including Kevin Bacon, Chris Rock, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Plummer, Donald Sutherland, Djimon Hounsou, Patrick Swayze, Wesley Snipes, Charlie Sheen, Dolph Lundgren, John Lithgow, Tom Berenger, Peter Weller, Sylvester Stallone and Nick Nolte.

He has also worked with many notable directors including Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth), Andrew Davis (Holes, The Fugitive), Abel Ferrara (King of NY), John Hillcoat (Lawless), William Friedkin (The French Connection), Mimi Leder (Deep Impact), Sylvester Stallone (Rocky, Rambo), Frederic Forestier (Asterix…), Renny Harlin, Wayne Cramer (The Cooler), and Brad Anderson (The Call). It also resulted in the first breakthrough films for independent companies such as Avi Lerner's Millennium-NuImage and Elie Samaha's Franchise Pictures.

He has recently branched into video games, working as story consultant on Kingdom Come: Deliverance (2018).

Writer – film

  • KINGDOM COME:DELIVERANCE (2018) (STORY CONSULTANT)
  • The Shanghai Job (2017) (screenplay) Starring Orlando Bloom
  • S.M.A.R.T. CHASE (2017) (screenplay) Starring Orlando Bloom and various Chinese stars. Produced by China's Wei Han
  • Cliffs of Freedom (2017) (in post production) (screenplay) Produced by billionaire Metropoulos family.
  • 60'6" (2017) (in pre production) (screenplay) Directed by Amy Redford
  • Shi (2016) (in production) (screenplay) – Patrick Tatopoulos to direct/Constantin to finance.
  • The Genesis Code (2016) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Brad Anderson to direct/Myriad to finance.
  • The Dove (2017) (in production) (screenplay) – Producers Paul Schiff and Tai Duncan
  • Pretty Boy Floyd (2016) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Andy Davis to direct.
  • Daughter of Destiny (2011) (in pre production) (screenplay) – Shekhar Kapur to direct.
  • Blue Eyed Samurai (2016) (in production) (producer/screenplay) Marcel Langenegger to direct.
  • The Charm School (2016) (in production) (screenplay) Based on the Nelson DeMille novel. Producer Phil Anschultz & Kennedy/Marshall
  • Coup D'Etat (2025) (in production) (screenplay) Co-written with Abel Ferrara
  • Elephant White (2010) (in post production) (screenplay) Starring Djimon Hounsou and Kevin Bacon. Directed by Prachya Pinkaew
  • The Godmother (2009) (pre-production) (writer)
  • Veronica (2009) (pre-production) (written by) Amy Redford to direct.
  • John Rambo (2008) (screenplay rewrite). Sylvester Stallone.
  • Peaceful Warrior (2006) (screenplay). Directed by Victor Salva. Starring Nick Nolte.
  • Virginia (2005) (written by)
  • One Last Dance (2003) (uncredited) Starring Patrick Swayze.
  • Without a Word (2001) (uncredited screenplay rewrite)
  • The Art of War (2000) (uncredited screenplay rewrite). Starring Wesley Snipes, Michael Biehn.
  • Jill Rips (Jill The Ripper) (1999) (written by) Starring Dolph Lundgren.
  • Fear of Flying (1999) (screenplay). Starring Craig Sheffer, Jennifer Beals.
  • Diplomatic Siege'' (1999) (screenplay). Starring Peter Weller, Daryl Hannah
  • Five Aces (1999) (uncredited). Starring Charlie Sheen.
  • Sweepers (1998) (story). Starring Dolph Lundgren.
  • Top of the World (1997) (uncredited screenplay writer). Starring Dennis Hopper, Peter Weller, Tia Carrere, Joey Pantoliano
  • Natural Enemy (1997) (TV) (screenplay). Starring Donald Sutherland, Leslie Ann Warren.
  • The Peacekeeper (1997) (uncredited screenwriter). Starring Dolph Lundgren.
  • Hollow Point (1996) (uncredited screenwriter). Starring John Lithgow, Donald Sutherland, Tia Carrere.
  • The Immortals (1995)(screenplay). Starring Chris Rock, Eric Roberts, Joey Pantoliano, Tony Curtis.

Producer

Actor – film

  • Hate Crime (2017) - Tom, costarring Amy Redford
  • Shiner (2016) - Happy Baer
  • Treacherous (1993) - Damon, costarring Tia Carrere, Adam Baldwin, C. Thomas Howell
  • Top of the World (1997) -Dean, costarring Dennis Hopper, Peter Weller
  • The Immortals (1995) -Billy Knox, costarring Chris Rock, Eric Roberts, Tony Curtis, Joey Pantoliano
  • Treacherous (1993) -Damon Vasquez, costarring Adam Baldwin, Tia Carrere, C. Thomas Howell
  • Beauty School (1993) -Colt
  • Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth (1992) -J.P. Monroe / J.P. Cenobite, costarring Pinhead
  • Midnight Warrior (1989) -Nick Branca
  • Counterforce (1988) -Sutherland, costarring Robert Forster, George Kennedy, Louis Jourdan, Kabir Bedi
  • Kick or Die (1987) -Don Potter
  • Le feu sous la peau (1985) -Raphael

Actor – television

Miscellaneous crew

  • The Peacekeeper (1997) (technical advisor)
  • Hollow Point (1996)(story consultant)
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