George Newbern Bio
George Newbern (born December 30, 1964) is an American actor and voice actor known for a diverse career spanning film, television, and animation. He gained broad recognition for playing Bryan MacKenzie in Father of the Bride (1991) and its sequels, and for his recurring role as Charlie in the political drama series Scandal (2012–2018). Beyond on-screen work, Newbern has built a significant career as a voice actor, most notably as the voice of Superman in various DC animated series and video games, as well as the villain Sephiroth in the Final Fantasy and Kingdom Hearts franchises. A Northwestern University graduate, he has maintained a steady presence in the entertainment industry for more than four decades.
Early Life and Background
George Newbern was born on December 30, 1964, in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. He grew up in that city as the son of Betty Newbern, a Spanish teacher, and David Newbern, a radiologist. George has two brothers named Gordon and John, and one sister named Murry. His upbringing in North Little Rock provided the foundation for his early interests in performing arts.
Newbern developed his passion for acting at a young age. He began his acting career at the Arkansas Arts Center in Little Rock, making his debut at age 12 in 1976 in the play Life with Father, based on Clarence S. Day Jr.’s autobiographical novels. He played the role of the younger brother in that production. This formative experience at the Arkansas Arts Center sparked his interest in pursuing acting professionally.
Path to Acting
Following his early theater experience in Arkansas, Newbern continued to pursue acting opportunities that led him toward film and television work. His dedication to the craft eventually guided him to Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where he further developed his acting skills and prepared for a professional career in the entertainment industry.
At Northwestern, Newbern met Marietta DePrima, who would later become his wife. DePrima was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority during her time at the university. After graduating together in the mid-1980s, both pursued careers in acting, setting the stage for Newbern’s eventual move to Los Angeles and his breakthrough in the entertainment industry.
George Newbern Career
Early Career (1976–1990)
Newbern’s professional acting career began in earnest in the late 1980s. In 1987, he landed his first lead role in Double Switch, a retelling of The Prince and the Pauper that aired as part of the Wonderful World of Disney television series. That same year, he appeared in the ensemble film Adventures in Babysitting alongside Elisabeth Shue, which became one of his early notable film credits.
From 1986 to 1992, Newbern had a recurring role as Payne McIlroy, the son of designer Julia Sugarbaker (played by Dixie Carter), on the television series Designing Women. This long-running role provided him with steady work and exposure in the television industry during his early career years.
Breakthrough (1991–2000s)
Newbern achieved significant recognition with his role as Bryan MacKenzie in Father of the Bride (1991), starring opposite Steve Martin and Diane Keaton. The film was a commercial success and established him as a recognizable face in Hollywood. He reprised the role in Father of the Bride Part II in 1995. His performance in these films showcased his ability to deliver warm, comedic work in family-oriented productions.
During the 1990s and 2000s, Newbern maintained a steady career with appearances in various television series. He guest-starred on programs including Providence, Chicago Hope, Friends, Bull, CSI, Medium, Ghost Whisperer, Touched by an Angel, Criminal Minds, and Private Practice. In 2009, he starred as Neal Morris, father of Melissa Morris (Emily Osment), in the Disney Channel film Dadnapped. He also portrayed Apollo 14 astronaut Stu Roosa in the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon.
Notable Works and Milestones
Newbern’s role as Charlie, a former CIA operative, in the political thriller series Scandal (2012–2018) marked a significant milestone in his career. Working alongside Kerry Washington, he appeared as a recurring character for several seasons in this critically acclaimed show. He also appeared in Jericho during its second season, portraying the president of the Allied States of America. Additional film credits during this period include Switching Channels (1988) with Kathleen Turner, Burt Reynolds, and Christopher Reeve, and Locker 13 (2009). He portrayed Harold in Saw VI (2009).
Voice Acting Career
As a voice actor, Newbern has built an impressive portfolio of iconic roles. He is perhaps best known in animation for voicing Clark Kent and Superman in various DC Comics productions. He first took on the role in the animated series Justice League, continuing in Static Shock and Justice League Unlimited. Newbern reprised his Superman role in The Batman, the DC Showcase short Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam, Superman vs. The Elite, and Justice League vs. the Fatal Five.
In February 2016, it was announced that Newbern would be taking over the voice role of Superman in the DC Universe Online video game, succeeding Adam Baldwin. He has portrayed the character longer than any other actor in both live-action and animation combined. He also voices Superman in the video games Injustice: Gods Among Us and its sequel.
Newbern is also widely recognized as the voice of Sephiroth, the memorable antagonist from Final Fantasy VII. His performance as Nooj in Final Fantasy X-2 so impressed developers at Square Enix that they cast him as Sephiroth in the English version of Kingdom Hearts II, replacing Lance Bass. He later reprised the Sephiroth role in Final Fantasy VII Advent Children, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII, Dissidia: Final Fantasy, Dissidia 012 Final Fantasy, and Dissidia Final Fantasy NT. Other voice work includes roles in The Pirates of Dark Water and the film Theodore Rex.
Additional Work and Narration
Beyond acting and voice work, Newbern has pursued narration projects extensively. He narrated nearly 500 audiobook titles, establishing himself as a prolific voice in that industry. He also provided narration for Toyota’s commercial campaign for the 2010 model year Toyota Prius. His versatility as a voice performer has allowed him to maintain a consistent career across multiple entertainment platforms.
George Newbern Family
George Newbern married actress Marietta DePrima in 1990. The couple met during their university years at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, where both were studying acting. They have three children together. Marietta DePrima was a member of Kappa Alpha Theta sorority during her time at Northwestern. The family has maintained a relatively private life despite their careers in the entertainment industry.
Personal Life
Newbern and his wife have been together since their university days, marrying in 1990 and building their family over the following decades. While Newbern has maintained a public career, he has kept details about his family life relatively private. He continues to work actively in the entertainment industry, balancing on-screen roles with his extensive voice acting career. His ability to sustain a career for nearly five decades demonstrates both his talent and adaptability within the evolving entertainment landscape.