Table of Contents

Early life
Football
Career
Personal life
Political views
Filmography
Film
Television
Video games
References
External links

Dean Cain

NameDean Cain
Image
CaptionCain in 2025
Birth NameDean George Tanaka
Birth Date1966-7-31
Known ForLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
Hit the Floor
OccupationActor ⋅ producer ⋅ television host
Years Active1976–present
EducationPrinceton University (BA)
Children1
Module
Number11
PositionFree safety
Height Ft6
Height In0
Weight Lb180
High SchoolSanta Monica
(Santa Monica, California)
CollegePrinceton
Undraftedyear1988
Pastteams* Buffalo Bills ()*
Highlights* Consensus I-AA All-American (1987) * John P. Poe–Richard W. Kazmaier Jr. Football Trophy (1987)

Dean George Tanaka (born July 31, 1966), known professionally as Dean Cain, is an American actor best known for portraying Superman in the 1990s television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. Cain was also the host of Ripley's Believe It or Not! and appeared in the sports drama series Hit the Floor.

Early life

Dean George Tanaka was born on July 31, 1966, at Selfridge Air Force Base in Harrison Township, Michigan. His mother, Sharon Thomas, was an actress. Cain is mixed-race; his father, Roger Tanaka, was an American serviceman of Japanese descent, the son of John Megumi Tanaka and Miyoko Tanaka. Cain said that several members of his family were interned at the Minidoka War Relocation Center in Idaho as part of the Internment of Japanese Americans. The rest of Cain's ancestry is Welsh, Irish, and French Canadian.

Cain said of his 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 the film director Christopher Cain, who adopted her two sons, and Dean and Roger took their stepfather's surname. The couple moved to Malibu, California, and had a daughter, Krisinda.

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 majored in American history. He dated actress Brooke Shields, whom he met in a religion class at the university. Cain graduated in 1988 with a bachelor of arts in history. His senior thesis was "The History and Development of the Functions of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences".

Football

At Princeton, Cain starred as a free safety on the football team. He began his career as a cornerback, making his first start during his sophomore year in 1985. In the season opener, he contributed to Princeton's 10–3 victory over Dartmouth by diving for an underthrown pass that would have resulted in a Dartmouth touchdown to record his first interception. Against Cornell in the final game of 1985, he intercepted Marty Stallone thrice to help the Tigers win 33–27. At the end of the season, he was an honorable mention on the All-Ivy League team. Cain switched to safety for 1986, a position he preferred since it had "a lot of action", and led the Tigers in tackles.

As a senior in 1987, he set the NCAA Division I-AA record for most interceptions in a season with 12, surpassing the 11 by Bill McGovern in 1984. His record stood until Rashean Mathis had 14 in 2002. Cain began the year with a two-interception performance against Dartmouth, then had his school-best 13th career pick the following week versus Davidson. In the season finale, Cain picked off Cornell three times in a seven-interception performance for the Princeton defense. The Associated Press named him a first team I-AA All-American, and he also received the John P. Poe–Richard W. Kazmaier Jr. Football Trophy for the year. He finished his collegiate career with a school-record 22 interceptions in 30 games.

After his graduation in 1988, he signed on as a free agent with the National Football League's Buffalo Bills. He hurt his right knee during training camp, which prevented him from playing in the preseason and he underwent an arthroscopy in late July. Cain was placed on the Bills' injured reserve list for the season. The injury ended his football career prematurely.

Career

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 such popular television shows as Grapevine, A Different World, and Beverly Hills, 90210.

In 1993, Cain took his biggest role to date, that of Superman in the television series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. At the height of its popularity, the program drew an average of at least 15 million viewers per episode. The series ran for four seasons, ending in 1997. Cain later made his first 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; Cain returned to the Superman universe again between 2015 and 2017, in a recurring role on Supergirl, as the title character's foster father, Jeremiah Danvers.

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), Out of Time (2003), and Bailey's Billion$ (2004). In 2004, he played 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. He also had a lead role in the VH1 hit series Hit the Floor, that of Pete Davenport, who becomes the new head coach of a fictional professional basketball team and has an illegitimate daughter who is a cheerleader for his Los Angeles Devils team.

In 2009, Cain was ranked No. 33 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of the '90s.

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.

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 later 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, where it was claimed that his portrayal of the character helped people care about Superman again. 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.

Cain is also known for having appeared in 16 Christmas films and several faith-based films.

In 2018, Cain hosted 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 of that year, it was discovered 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 his own 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. 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 also starred in the 2018 film Andy the Talking Hedgehog.

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

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

As of 2021, Cain was the Actor in Residence at High Point University.

Personal life

For two years in the 1980s, Cain dated Brooke Shields, an actress, while they were attending Princeton University. In 1992, he dated Gabrielle Reece, a professional beach-volleyball player and model. In 1997, Cain became engaged to Mindy McCready, a singer; they broke up in 1998.

He has a son, Christopher Cain, born June 11, 2000, with one of his ex-girlfriends, Samantha Torres, a Playboy Playmate and model. Cain named his son after his adoptive father, Christopher Cain, a film director.

On June 19, 2018, Cain was sworn in as a reserve police officer for the St. Anthony Police Department in Idaho. In 2020, he joined the Pocatello Police Department in Idaho as a reserve police officer. He also subsequently joined the Frederick County, Virginia Sheriff's Office as a reserve deputy sheriff.

Political views

Cain (second from right) with Mike Pompeo on Fox & Friends in 2019

Cain says that he voted for Bill Clinton in both the 1992 and 1996, as well as for Al Gore in 2000, the latter of which he later said he "regretted". He supported John McCain in 2008 and supported Rick Perry at the Republican primaries in 2012. In 2016, 2020, and 2024, he endorsed and voted for Donald Trump.

Cain is a strong advocate for recognition of the Armenian genocide. He participated in the Armenian-American march on the 90th anniversary of the genocide. He is also an executive producer of Architects of Denial, a 2017 historical documentary on the effects of the genocide. In 2018, he was awarded Armenia’s Order of Honor by President Sargsyan for his contributions on spreading awareness.

In 2018, Cain was elected to the board of directors of the National Rifle Association of America. That same year, Cain said that he was once a registered Republican, but later became a registered independent, feeling that the Republican Party did not "fully represent his views".

In 2025, Cain released a video indicating that he had joined Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and encouraging others to "join the agency as well".

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1976ElmerDean Russell
1979Charlie and the Talking BuzzardJoe
1984The Stone BoyEugene Hillerman
1990Write to KillParking valet
Going UnderGuy in bar
1992Miracle BeachVolleyball player no.1
1997Eating Las VegasFrankShort film
Best MenSergeant 'Buzz' Thomas
2000The Broken Hearts ClubCole
No AlibiBob Valenz
Flight of FancyClay Bennett
MilitiaEthan CarterDirect-to-video
For the CauseGeneral Murran
2001Phase IVSimon Tate
Fire TrapJack / Max HooperAlso producer
Rat RaceShawn Kent
A Christmas Adventure ...From a Book Called Wisely's TalesDonnerVoice; direct-to-video
2002New AlcatrazDr. Robert TrentonDirect-to-video
Dark DescentWill Murdack
2003BreakawayMorgan
Out of TimeChris Harrison
Grandpa's PlaceCameo; short film
2004Post ImpactTom Parker
LostJeremy Stanton
2005TruthPeter
Bailey's Billion$Theodore Maxwell
Wrinkles
2006Max Havoc: Ring of FireRoger Tarso
September DawnJoseph Smith
2007Urban DecayStan
2008Ace of HeartsDaniel Harding
Five Dollars a DayRick Carlson
2009Aussie and Ted's Great AdventureMichael Brooks
ManeaterHarryDirect-to-video
2010Circle of PainWyatt
AbandonedKevin Peterson
Hole in OneRepo Man
Kill Katie MaloneRobert
Pure Country 2: The GiftMusic video directorAlso co-writer
A Nanny for ChristmasDanny DonnerDirect-to-video
Subject: I Love YouJames Trapp
Bed & BreakfastJake
20115 Days of WarChris Bailot
Home Run ShowdownRico Deluca
Dirty Little TrickMichael
The FallenCole
Latin QuarterAppolinaire
VacationBryce
The Sandy Creek GirlsJared
2012Meant to BeMike
I Am... GabrielSheriff Brody
2013Heaven's DoorLeo
Man CampLuke
Defending SantaSheriff Scott Hanson
The Tale of the Princess KaguyaThe MikadoVoice; English dub
2014At the Top of the PyramidJefferson Parker
God's Not DeadMarc Shelley
The AppearingDr. Shaw
Airplane vs. VolcanoRick Pierce
A Belle for ChristmasGlenn Barrows
Small Town SantaSheriff Rick Langston
A Horse for SummerKent Walsh
A Dog for ChristmasEarl
Horse CampLuke
The Three DogateersMatt
2015VendettaMason Danvers
Deadly SanctuaryRoy Hollingsworth
2016DC Super Hero Girls: Hero of the YearJonathan KentVoice
The Black HoleMark Willis
2017IllicitFelipe
2018The IncantationAbel Baddon
Gosnell: The Trial of America's Biggest Serial KillerDetective James 'Woody' Wood
Megan's Christmas MiracleJohn
Andy the Talking HedgehogBob
2050Maxwell
Prolonged ExposureDetective Jaime Montenegro
2019The Challenger DisasterLarry Arnold
Sweet InspirationsGreg
RiaVice President Flemming
90 Feet from HomeRaymond Fuller
The SevenHigh Priest Asael
The FollowerSheriff
A Promise to AstridPastor Scott Seabury
Madness in the MethodDean
2020OBAMAGATE : The MoviePeter Strzok
SkydogNeil Glasswell
2021Break Every ChainPastor Gabe
Trail BlazersHaden
A Parent's Worst NightmareJohn Belton
2022No VacancyCliff Lea
Miracle at ManchesterDr. Getty
2023R.A.D.A.R.: The Adventures of the Bionic DogMayor
2024Letters at Christmas
2025Little AngelsJake RogersAlso director
TBAFaith Under FirePastor Dan UnderwoodPost-production
Baby BulldogJudge Kelly
The RideMark SmithPost-production

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1989Christine Cromwell: Things That Go Bump in the NightTelevision film
1990Christine Cromwell: In Vino Veritas
Life Goes OnKimoEpisode: "Corky and the Dolphins"
1992A Different WorldEddieEpisode: "The Cat's in the Cradle"
GrapevineBrianEpisode: "The Janice and Brian Story"
Beverly Hills, 90210Rick4 episodes
1993Touchdown: Football Goes to the MoviesHimselfHost; documentary
1993–1997Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanClark Kent / SupermanAlso writer (2 episodes)
1995Off Camera with Dean CainHimselfHost; also director and producer
Living SingleHimselfEpisode: "Mommy Not Dearest"
1996Cutty WhitmanClark KentTelevision film; uncredited
1997Rag and BoneTony MoranTelevision film; also producer
1998Adventures from the Book of VirtuesKing CharlemagneVoice; episode: "Integrity"
FuturesportTremayne 'Tre The Pharaoh' RamzeyTelevision film
DogboysJulian Taylor
2000The RunawaySheriff Frank Richards
2000–2003Ripley's Believe It or Not!HimselfHost; also producer
2001Just Shoot Me!Chris WilliamsEpisode: "Maya Stops Thinking"
2002Gentle BenJack WedloeTelevision film
The GlowMatt Lawrence
FrasierRickEpisode: "We Two Kings"
Christmas RushLieutenant Cornelius MorganTelevision film
2003Gentle Ben 2: Danger on the MountainJack WedloeTelevision film
Dragon FighterCaptain David CarverTelevision film; also producer
2003–2004The DivisionInspector Jack Ellis8 episodes
2004I Do (But I Don't)Nick CorinaTelevision film
The Perfect Husband: The Laci Peterson StoryScott Peterson
2004–2005ClubhouseConrad Dean11 episodes
2005MaydayCommander James SlanTelevision film
Law & Order: Special Victims UnitDr. Mike JergensEpisode: "Starved"
Hope & FaithLarry Walker4 episodes
2005–2006Las VegasCasey Manning9 episodes
2006Dead and DeaderLieutenant Bobby QuinnTelevision film
10.5: ApocalypseBradMiniseries
A Christmas WeddingTuckerTelevision film
2007Crossroads: A Story of ForgivenessBruce Murakami
Hidden CameraDan Kovacs
SmallvilleDr. Curtis KnoxEpisode: "Cure"
CSI: MiamiRoger PartneyEpisode: "Permanent Vacation"
2008Final ApproachJack BenderTelevision film
Making Mr. RightEddie
2009The Gambler, the Girl and the GunslingerShea McCall
The Three GiftsJack Green
The Dog Who Saved ChristmasTed Stein
EntourageHimselfEpisode: "Scared Straight"
2010Frost GiantJ.C.Television film
The Way HomeRandy Simpkins
The Dog Who Saved Christmas VacationTed Stein
2011A Mile in His ShoesArthur 'Murph' Murphy
Burn NoticeRyan PewterbaughEpisode: "Fail Safe"
The Dog Who Saved HalloweenTed SteinTelevision film
The Case for ChristmasMichael Sherman
2012Operation CupcakeGriff Carson
Criminal MindsCurtis BanksEpisode: "Snake Eyes"
Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23Himself3 episodes
Stars Earn Stripes5 episodes
The ChoiceContestant
BloopersHost
The Dog Who Saved the HolidaysTed SteinTelevision film
2013Texas Takedown: The Real Men in BlackNarratorVoice
2013–2018Hit the FloorPete Davenport
2014Merry Ex-MasJessie RogersTelevision film
MulaneyHimselfPilot episode
The Dog Who Saved EasterTed SteinTelevision film
2014–presentMasters of IllusionHimselfHost
2015A Wish Come TrueTelevision film
The Dog Who Saved SummerTed Stein
Beverly Hills ChristmasArchangel Gabriel
2015–2017SupergirlJeremiah Danvers6 episodes
2016Broadcasting ChristmasCharlie FisherTelevision film
The JumpHimself
Lady DynamiteGraham6 episodes
Good Morning ChristmasCharlie FisherTelevision film
2018Winter's DreamTy
2023The CurseMark Rose2 episodes

Video games

YearTitleVoice roleNotes
2002Grandia XtremeEvann

References


External links


Category:1966 births
Category:20th-century American male actors
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American adoptees
Category:American football cornerbacks
Category:American football safeties
Category:American male actors of Japanese descent
Category:American male child actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American people of English descent
Category:American people of French-Canadian descent
Category:American people of Irish descent
Category:American people of Welsh descent
Category:American police officers
Category:Buffalo Bills players
Category:California independents
Category:California Republicans
Category:Living people
Category:Male actors from California
Category:Male actors from Malibu, California
Category:Male actors from Michigan
Category:Participants in American reality television series
Category:Princeton Tigers football players
Category:Princeton University alumni
Category:Santa Monica High School alumni
Category:United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials