Veteran television actor Sam Behrens played Gregory Richards, the patriarch of "Sunset Beach" who happens to be a rich and conniving attorney. Behrens has played a variety of roles on the stage in New York and elsewhere throughout the country. His classical training includes work with such highly regarded acting coaches as Wynn Handman, Aaron Frankel, Peggy Feury and Harry Mastrogeorge. While playing Vince Fontaine in a Broadway production of "Grease," the Brooklyn-born actor landed his first television role on the daytime drama "Ryan's Hope."

Moving to Hollywood a year later, Behrens was cast in the feature film "Star 80." After that he won a small part on the daytime drama "General Hospital," portraying attorney Jake Meyer. Behrens won the hearts of daytime viewers everywhere after his five-day role turned into a five-year run. Leaving "General Hospital" to pursue other projects, Behrens began working in films. He landed roles in the independent film "Murder by the Numbers," in addition to the critically acclaimed "American Blue Note," and "And You Thought Your Parents Were Weird." He also co-starred in the feature film "Alive," produced by Frank Marshall and Kathleen Kennedy. Behrens' television-series work includes a regular-starring role on "Knots Landing," for which he won a "Soap Opera Digest" Award, and a co-starring role on "Homefront."

His television movies include "Shadow of Obsession" with Veronica Hamel, "Unspeakable Acts" with Jill Clayburgh, and "Bermuda Triangle."

Behrens lives in the San Fernando Valley with his wife, actress Shari Belafonte, whom he met and married after the two were paired in "Murder by the Numbers." Behrens' birthday is July 24.