Patrick William Cassidy (born January 4, 1962) is an American actor and singer best known for his roles in musical theatre and television.
Personal life Patrick Cassidy was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Shirley Jones and Jack Cassidy. Jones was pregnant with Cassidy while filming The Music Man; Cassidy even kicked Jones' co-star Robert Preston in one scene when they were embracing.Ginell, Gary. "A Visit With Shirley Jones – Part 4: Filming “The Music Man ", vconstage.com, December 28, 2013
Cassidy's brothers are Ryan Cassidy and Shaun Cassidy, and his half-brother was David Cassidy.Moser, John J. "Interviewing singer/actor Patrick Cassidy: Accepting Bucks Playhouse honor for mom Shirley Jones is a family affair" mcall.com, April 21, 2017 He is also the uncle of Arrow star Katie Cassidy.
Cassidy is married to actress Melissa Hurley and is the father of two sons, Cole Patrick and Jack Gordon.Hodgins, Paul. "All in the family" OC Register, July 9, 2006 His son Jack, a gospel singer/songwriter, auditioned for the 12th season of The Voice in 2017 and picked Alicia Keys as his coach.Tailor, Leena. "Jack Cassidy Returns to 'The Voice,' Belts Out Elton John After Being Selected as Alicia Keys' Comeback Artist" etonline.com, April 17, 2017
Career Cassidy decided to enter his Beverly Hills High School drama program after breaking his collarbone while playing as the quarterback for the high school football team.Moser, John J. "Interviewing singer/actor Patrick Cassidy: Accepting Bucks Playhouse honor for mom Shirley Jones is a family affair" The Morning Call, April 21, 2017
Screen Cassidy's first starring television role was in 1981 in the cautionary NBC movie Angel Dusted.Angel Dusted rottentomatoes.com, retrieved February 6, 2018 Also in 1981, he co-starred in the made-for-TV movie Midnight Offerings as David Sterling, the love interest of Vivian Sotherland and Robin Prentiss, two dueling teenage classmates who happen to be witches, played by Melissa Sue Anderson and Mary Elizabeth McDonough.Midnight Offerings tcm.com, retrieved February 6, 2018 In 1983, he starred in Bay City Blues as Terry St. Marie, a baseball player in the minor leagues. The show was canceled after just four episodes.Bay City Blues tv.com, retrieved February 7, 2018 In 1984, Cassidy portrayed Willard Freud, the initial love interest to Heather Langenkamp's character Callie Wells in the film Nickel Mountain.Nickel Mountain tcm.com, retrieved February 6, 2018
In 1986, Cassidy played David Hand, a cadet at a military academy in Dress GrayDress Gray tcm.com, retrieved February 6, 2018 and appeared in the holiday TV movie Christmas Eve with Loretta Young. Christmas Eve tcm.com, retrieved February 6, 2018 He had a role as a gambling soldier in the Ryan O'Neal sports and Las Vegas gambling film Fever Pitch.Fever Pitch rottentomatoes.com, retrieved February 7, 2018 In 1988, he starred in the CBS television series Dirty Dancing, based on the film.O'Connor, John J. "Review/Television; A 'Dirty Dancing' Series" The New York Times, October 29, 1988 In 1989, he appeared in Longtime Companion, portraying Howard, an actor who eventually contracts AIDS.Longtime Companion tcm.com, retrieved February 6, 2018 In 1994, he appeared in the films I'll Do AnythingI'll Do Anything tcm.com, retrieved February 7, 2018 and How the West Was Fun with Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen.How the West Was Fun tcm.com, retrieved February 7, 2018 In 1997, he had a recurring role on TV's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman as Leslie Luckaby and had another Superman-related recurring role as Henry Small, the biological father of Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk) in Smallville, which was televised from 2001 to 2011.
Cassidy co-starred alongside his half-brother David in a 2009 ABC Family comedy series entitled Ruby & the Rockits created by his brother Shaun.Cassidy Brothers Comedy Among New ABC Family Shows The New York Times, February 1, 2009 Lloyd, Robert. "Television Review. 'Ruby & the Rockits'" The Los Angeles Times, July 21, 2009 ABC Family announced on September 12, 2009 that the show had been canceled.
Stage Cassidy played Frederic in the 1981 national tour of Gilbert and Sullivan's The Pirates of Penzance before taking over the role on Broadway in 1982.The Pirates of Penzance Playbill, retrieved February 6, 2018 Cassidy's next Broadway role was Jeff Barry in the Ellie Greenwich jukebox musical Leader of the Pack, which opened in April 1985.Leader of the Pack Playbill, retrieved February 6, 2018 He originated the role of The Balladeer in the original Off-Broadway production of Stephen Sondheim's Assassins at Playwrights Horizons, which opened in December 1990 in previews.Rich, Frank. "Review/Theater; Sondheim and Those Who Would Kill", New York Times, January 28, 1991.
Cassidy starred at the Elitch Theatre's production of The Robber Bridegroom in 1991. This was the 100th anniversary of the theatre and it was the final production there before it was dormant for over 20 years.
In 1993, Cassidy starred as Bobby opposite Carol Burnett in a Los Angeles production of Sondheim's musical Company." 'Company' Los Angeles" broadwayworld.com, retrieved February 6, 2018Jacobs, Tom. "Review. 'Company' " Variety, October 6, 1993 In 1995, he portrayed John Wilkes Booth in the Los Angeles Repertory staging of Assassins.Winer, Laurie. "The Strange 'Assassins' : Sondheim's Musical Moves to Bigger Theater Space" Los Angeles Times, April 3, 1995
In 1998, Cassidy played Macheath in a Los Angeles Reprise! production of The Threepenny Opera;"L.A.'s Reprise Offers Bikel, Ken Page In 'Threepenny Opera', Sept. 9" Playbill, September 9, 1998 he was nominated for the Garland Award for Best Actor for his work in the role. In 1999, he played the title character Joseph in a national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.
In 2000, Cassidy co-starred with Cheryl Ladd in Annie Get Your Gun on Broadway when he took over for Tom Wopat in the role of Frank Butler.Annie Get Your Gun Playbill, retrieved February 6, 2018 He later reprised his role of Frank Butler alongside Patti LuPone and George Hearn in August 2010 concert presentations at the Ravinia Festival in Illinois, directed by Lonny Price.Gans, Andrew. " "They Say It's Wonderful": Patti LuPone Stars in 'Annie Get Your Gun' at the Ravinia Festival" Playbill, August 30, 2010
In 2001, Cassidy played Radames in the national tour of the musical Aida;Simonson, Robert. "Cassidy, Fournier and Simone to Head 'Aida Tour', Starting in MN March 27" Playbill, January 30, 2001 he won the 2002 National Broadway Theatre Award for Best Actor in a Touring Musical before playing the role on Broadway in June 2002."'Aida' Replacements" ibdb.com, retrieved February 7, 2018
From 2004 to 2005, Cassidy was back on Broadway in 42nd Street when he took over for Patrick Ryan Sullivan as Julian Marsh playing opposite his mother as Dorothy Brock.42nd Street Playbill, retrieved February 6, 2018 He appeared in a US national tour of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, once again playing the title role, starting in September 2005.Hernandez, Ernio. "Patrick Cassidy and "American Idol" Starlet Tour with 'Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat'" Playbill, June 15, 2005
References
External links
Interview with Cassidy Profile of Cassidy Ruby & The Rockits actor/character biography