Sean Kanan has been playing bad boy Deacon on The Bold and the Beautiful since 2000, with breaks in between, and also crossed over to The Young and the Restless for three years. He also played General Hospital’s AJ Quartermaine for a number of years, so daytime audiences are well aware of his talent. But there is more to Kanan than his devilish alter egos.
Key Takeaways
- Cleveland-born Sean Kanan found his passion for acting in high school before trading political science studies at Boston University for a Hollywood career.
- Kanan’s breakout came in 1989 when he brought the ruthless Mike Barnes to life in The Karate Kid Part III, later earning rave reviews for reprising the role in Netflix’s Cobra Kai Season 5.
- Beyond the screen, Kanan is a bestselling author, inspiring readers through Welcome to the Kumite and his acclaimed Way of the Cobra series, blending motivation with real-life insight.
- A familiar face in daytime drama, Kanan’s unforgettable roles on B&B, GH, and Y&R have made him one of soap’s most dynamic leading men.
- From comedy clubs to the stage, Kanan has showcased his wide-ranging talent — performing stand-up at legendary venues and tackling dramatic theater roles, including Sam Shepard’s True West.
Deacon Sharpe
Deacon Sharpe is one of B&B’s most enduring and unpredictable characters. Since his 2000 debut on the hit CBS soap opera, Deacon has been stirring up drama, redemption, and romance in equal measure. Originally introduced as a manipulative schemer, he shocked viewers when he had an affair with Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang), leading to the birth of their daughter, Hope Logan (Anika Noelle).
Over the years, Deacon’s storyline has evolved from classic villainy to heartfelt redemption, with his love for Hope remaining his strongest motivation. He’s battled addiction, spent time behind bars, and found himself drawn into dangerous relationships with Quinn Fuller (Rena Sofer) and Sheila Carter (Kimberlin Brown). Despite his many mistakes, Deacon Sharpe continues to win fans over as he fights to rebuild his life and reputation in Los Angeles. Whether he’s plotting his next move or trying to do the right thing, Deacon remains one of B&B’s most captivating and talked-about characters.
1. Midwest Mister
The actor was born on November 2 in Cleveland, Ohio.
2. A Star Is Born
Kanan’s interest in acting began in high school, and although he attended Boston University as a political science major, he relocated to LA and got his big break in 1989, playing the bad guy Mike Barnes in The Karate Kid Part III. Decades later, he thrilled fans by reprising the iconic role in Netflix’s hit series Cobra Kai Season 5.
3. The Write Stuff
Kanan isn’t just a celebrated actor — he’s also an accomplished author with four books to his name. His latest, Welcome to the Kumite, shares personal stories and powerful strategies for success, expanding on the motivational message of his bestselling Way of the Cobra series. His debut, The Modern Gentleman: Cooking and Entertaining with Sean Kanan, earned rave reviews, while Success Factor X became an Amazon New Release Best Seller and was named one of the most inspirational books of the past two decades by Book Authority.
4. A Barrel Of Laughs
The actor has showcased his sharp wit and comedic timing on some of the nation’s top stages, performing at iconic clubs like The Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store, Dangerfield’s, The Brokerage, and Uncle Vinny’s. Beyond stand-up, Sean Kanan has also impressed on the theater stage, taking on Sam Shepard’s True West twice — first at the Zephyr Theatre and later at the Palm Canyon Theatre — proving his range as both a comedian and dramatic performer.
5. Soap Stud
Kanan made his daytime debut in 1993 as GH’s resident black sheep, AJ Quartermaine. After leaving Port Charles in 1997, Sean Kanan headed to NBC’s Sunset Beach, where he played Jude Cavanaugh until the show’s finale in 1999.
In 2000, Kanan joined B&B as the scheming Deacon Sharpe — a role meant to be short-term but that quickly became a fan favorite. He stirred up drama in Los Angeles until 2005, later reprising the role on Y&R from 2009 to 2012 before returning to B&B.
That same year, he made a comeback to GH as AJ until the character’s exit in 2014. After another memorable run as Deacon from 2014 to 2017, Kanan returned once again in 2021.
Alongside his soap work, he also created and starred in the Daytime Emmy Award-winning digital drama Studio City, further cementing his status as one of daytime’s most versatile talents.
