PHOTO: Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillipe Reunite
25 Funniest Tweets From Parents This Week
Corbin Bernsen Talks Religion, Fatherhood
Filed under: Celeb Parents, Celeb News & Interviews
Corbin Bernsen is a one-man film-making machine. Credit: Jason Merritt, Getty Images
The actor's latest film, "Rust," which he wrote, directed, produced and stars in, is now available on DVD. Made in the tiny Canadian town of Kipling, "Rust" features hundreds of local townspeople who raised money for the movie about a man grappling with his connection to a higher power.
ParentDish connected with Corbin recently to talk about his father's death, religion and raising four sons.
ParentDish: How did this movie come about?
Corbin Bernsen: This little town raised the money and stars alongside me; they helped produce and create this film. It's a movie that came together as I began, basically, a quest after my dad passed away. As I sat with his ashes, I started seeking some enlightenment and I thought, "Where is this man now? Heaven or hell? What do I believe in?" It started a quest for me, looking back at faith, my faith and God in this world, and it resulted in this small film.
PD: Do you go to church?
CB: No. The easiest way to understand it is, I find this interesting philosophical conversation that ultimately it gets you into faith and God. And, in doing so, I see the jagged chaos of the world make a little more sense. It brings a greater purpose. My faith is God and the more I talk and embrace it, I move closer to it. It's a work in progress, always. That is the nature of the relationship for me.
PD: Has making this film changed your life?
CB: I look at things differently now. I recognize the value of time that I have with my youngest, who is 12. The way I treat my wife when I'm at my lows, the way I look at certain people, the concern I have now, versus a distaste or pity for them. I now hope for them to have a better and richer life, rather than make fun.
PD: You have four sons with your wife, Amanda Pays (Oliver, 21, twins Angus and Henry, 18, and Finley, 12). You've made a good living, but still, college for four -- ka-ching.
CB: Yeah, but I'm very fortunate in that I have a good job. I'm able to take care of it. They've also been in private school their whole lives; it's not something that's new to me. Unfortunately, the state of education requires that in certain areas, certainly where I live in L.A., the public school system is inadequate. I believe it requires private education, so I've been in the realm of it. The most important thing for me is that my kids understand the value of it, the work that I have to do so we can afford it.
PD: Do you guilt trip them? I would.
CB: No.
PD: I'm kidding!
CB: To some people it might be a very valid thing. You say it facetiously, but I've seen parenting that operates in that way out of either fear or instilling guilt. It's funny you joke about it, but it's not uncommon for parents to do it to gain control over their kids.
PD: Are you an old-school dad?
CB: Specifically not. One could almost look at me and say, "Wow, you're not very disciplined with your kids." What I don't do is operate and teach with fear. If they want to know about drugs or sex or anything, I simply tell them through my experience and knowledge. This is what I've come up with. I teach them for every option there's an opposite and equal reaction and consequence for all things. You have to live your life knowing that. If you run a red light you could hit a car.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- Why should anyone listen to a _____, what makes her an expert? Harpo is jus an actress, all she does is sit on her tush & claim she knows it all. ...
- Do people ever get a civil trial this is too many dismissals with out a response from defendants
- Cant upload foia for federal election commission primary election results or general for derian douglas hickman or the e-mail
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
'L.A. Law' May Be Returning to TV
Earlier this month, we saw the return of the iconic '80s drama Dallas. Could there be a return of L.A. Law? Corbin Bernsen, who played lawyer Arnie Becker in the original NBC series for eight seasons in the late '80s and early '90s tells ET, "One of my secret wishes and desires is to bring back my character Arnie Becker which would be a little bit like bringing back J.R. with or without the full cast."
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
10-22-2010 @ 8:48PM
Pat De Range said...He has beautiful eyes, nice looking man.
Reply
10-22-2010 @ 10:10PM
4ww said...oh what crap!!Give me a few million and my kids to will be in private everything.Oh and I won't raise my voice one to yell
Reply
10-23-2010 @ 5:33AM
lisa said...Is it just me or is it only the male actors that age? 4ww, relax. No need to get all bent out of shape. I'm don't have millions and my kids are in private school. It does cost a fortune but it is a priority. More people spend what I spend on education on eating out every night.
Reply
10-23-2010 @ 2:43PM
redpoppy said...lisa as it costs a minimum of £10k a year to send a child to private school in the uk. The average wage being £25k not everyone can afford either to eat out every night or pay for their children to be educated privately. Lucky you to be able to afford to do so.
10-24-2010 @ 4:57PM
Alicia said...To each their own, but I went to public school my entire life and loved it (though I'll admit I was lucky to be educated in a district that felt music, art and sports were all equally important and fought tooth and nail to maintain all three). My mom went to private school her entire life and swore I would never, ever see the inside of one.
Reply
11-08-2010 @ 12:33PM
CS said...Wouldn't it be great to see more press about happy married couples who've stayed together for the long haul, who've managed to raise 4 kids who aren't in the headlines for various "bad behavior rewarded" situations?
Contrast this with the people who are now setting the standard for behavior, and the New World Order re families: Famous couples who are not marrying, having babies out of wedlock and in seemingly endless strings of "serial monogamy" relationships, dragging a kid or 8 along for the ride.
Just when I think that these "temporary family" people are perhaps just being realistic...wondering if they're just reflecting society's new viewpoint about unreasonable expectations re monogamy or, are they just sickeningly selfish and cutting a new, hedonistic path...along comes someone like Corbin Bernsen who, despite growing up in the most cinematic display of disfunction there is, the soap opera world (where his mother was a star), has managed to step up as a man, husband and father, honoring commitment through the good times and bad that absolutely come with the package.
Hey, media world, bring us more stories like Corbin Bernsen and his wife! Start giving attention to what kind of families ARE working instead of glorifying serial monogamy with kids in tow, constant breakups and broken homes.
Reply
12-15-2010 @ 2:57PM
Wormfinger said...Saw Corbin last nite at pink Floyd( Roger waters ) concert.
He Was complaining like a diva b#tch about people standing and dancing at the show. Said he brought his 12 year old son to his first concert. Nothing like vivid images of the evil decimation that war brings to share a father son experience, how sweet. What a truly authentic dick. Rust is more likely about his current state of mind. Corrosive and out of touch with spirit. Good luck with that attitude buddy.
Reply