Dean Cain

Black-haired, muscular, and handsome, television and film actor Dean Cain is perhaps most famous for having played Superman on the hit TV show Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Born in Mt. Clemens, MI, Cain's interesting looks come from his Welsh, French, and Japanese heritage, while his last name comes from his step-father, director Christopher Cain (The Karate Kid, That Was Then, This Is Now). His mother moved Cain and his older brother to Los Angeles when they were children. He attended Santa Monica High school, where he rubbed shoulders with other young stars-to-be, including the Lowe brothers Rob and Chad, Sean and Chris Penn, and Emilio Estevez. An honor student and talented football player, Cain attended Princeton University where, as a first string football player, he set two N.C.A.A. records. In 1988, he graduated from Princeton with a B.A. in history and a contract as a free safety for the Buffalo Bills. A knee injury sustained during pre-season camp ended his football career. He returned to California, studied acting, and got his professional start appearing in numerous television commercials. After trying his hand at screenwriting for a while, he found work guest starring on various series, including Life Goes On and Beverly Hills, 90210. He had made his film debut with a small role in The Stone Boy (1984). A few small movie roles followed, but Cain didn't have a major role until he played an ex-Green Beret in Best Men (1998). - Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide