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Jeff Kober
Jeff Kober
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Jeff Kober (born December 18, 1953)[1] is an American actor, known for his television roles as Dodger in China Beach, Jacob Hale Jr. in Sons of Anarchy, Joe in the fourth season of The Walking Dead, and Kurt Nypo in Walker: Texas Ranger. He is also known his movie roles such as Roy Gaddis in Out of Bounds (1986), Patrick Channing in The First Power (1990), Marcus in One Tough Bastard (1995), and as Pomona Joe in A Man Apart (2003). In February 2020, Kober joined the cast of ABC's General Hospital as Cyrus Renault. He exited the role in June 2021, but has made occasional guest appearances from August to December of the same year, winning a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance in the role in 2022.[2]

Key Information

Early life

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Kober was born and raised in Billings, Montana.[3] He moved to the Los Angeles area in his twenties and studied acting with theater educator Ed Kaye-Martin.

Career

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Kober may be best known as Dodger in China Beach[4] and Daedalus in the short-lived cult horror series Kindred: The Embraced. He has made guest appearances on such television series as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, ER, 24, The Closer, New Girl,[5] Criminal Minds, Star Trek: Voyager, and Star Trek: Enterprise. He played the character Julian Bradley in the two-part 1985 episode entitled "The Monster: Part 1&2" on Highway to Heaven. He played Jacob Hale, Jr. in the FX series Sons of Anarchy and Joe in the AMC series The Walking Dead.[4][5] He also featured as DJ Ray from Reef Radio in Bacardi 1990s 'serve chilled' advertising campaign.[6] In 2013, Kober reprised his role as Daedalus for the Kindred: The Embraced DVD set in a special features segment called "Daedalus: The Last Will and Testament," which is meant for Abel (the boy Daedalus wanted to embrace in the episode "Romeo and Juliet"), who is now an adult and was embraced by Julian Luna as Kindred. He played a role in the 2005 film Love's Long Journey. He appeared in an episode of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia called "Gun Fever Too: Still Hot".

On June 24, 2022, Kober won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Cyrus Renault on General Hospital.[2]

Personal life

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Kober is twice divorced. He married Rhonda Talbot on February 4, 1989; they had one child. On August 25, 1998, Kober married his second wife, fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone. Their marriage ended in divorce. On December 31, 2013, Kober married his current wife, Adele Slaughter.[7]

Kober is a bass guitarist who is a former member of The Walking Wounded.[8]

Kober visited Vietnam with co-star Dana Delany during filming of the television drama series China Beach (1988), which was based on U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Their visit is documented in the Dana Delany episode of the series Intimate Portrait (1993), which features a discussion and photographs of their journey.

Kober is a noted artist who is responsible for the paintings attributed to his character Daedalus on Kindred: The Embraced (1996). Kober and Slaughter co-authored Art That Pays: The Emerging Artist's Guide to Making a Living.

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1986 Out of Bounds Roy Gaddis
1988 Viper Matt Thomas / Richard Gelb
1988 Alien Nation Josh Strader
1988 Lucky Stiff Ike
1990 The First Power Patrick Channing
1993 The Hit List Richard Cordon
1993 The Baby Doll Murders Louis
1995 Automatic Major West
1995 Tank Girl Booga
1996 One Tough Bastard Marcus
1996 Demolition High Luther
1997 The Big Fall Johnny 'Axe' Roosevelt
1997 The Maker Rubicon Beziqui
1999 Inferno Beserko
2000 Militia Tom Jeffries Uncredited
2001 The Want Zed
2002 Defining Maggie Buddy
2002 Enough FBI Agent
2003 A Man Apart Pomona Joe
2004 Hidalgo Sergeant at Wounded Knee
2004 World Without Waves Doug
2007 The Hills Have Eyes 2 Redding
2008 Multiple Terry
2011 Re-Cut John Fowler
2012 Perfection Harry
2012 The Guilt Trip Jimmy
2015 Bad Blood Ray Baker
2016 Sully LT Cook
2016 River Guard Detective Mitchell
2017 Lost Cat Corona Sue
2017 Beauty Mark Bruce
2018 Leave No Trace Mr. Walters
2018 Above All Things Mr. Swanson
2018 Dead Sound Stone
2018 What Still Remains Zack
2019 Char Man Kent Bridewell
2019 Lie Exposed The Photographer
2021 Topology of Sirens Dad
2023 Self Reliance The Cowboy

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1985 V Visitor Officer Episode: "The Hero"
1985 Highway to Heaven Julian Bradley 2 episodes
1985 The Twilight Zone Younger Cop Episode: "Night of the Meek"
1986–1987 Falcon Crest Guy Stafford 7 episodes
1987 MacGyver Matt Bell Episode: "Pirates"
1987 Ohara Frankie Nelson Episode: "Toshi"
1987 Laguna Heat Vic Harmon Television film
1988–1991 China Beach Sgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow 57 episodes
1992 Ned Blessing: The True Story of My Life Tors Buckner Television film
1992 Keep the Change Billy Kelton
1992 Angel Street Father Juan Yasztremski Episode: "Midnight Times a Hundred"
1993 The Hat Squad Sgt. Dan Coltrain Episode: "Dead Man Walking"
1993 Desperate Rescue: The Cathy Mahone Story J.D. Roberts Television film
1993 The X-Files Bear Episode: "Ice"
1993 A Matter of Justice Talbot Television film
1994 The Commish Gary Spurling/Vincent Spears Episode: "Bank Job"
1994 The Innocent Tinsley Television film
1994 Higher Education Dale Evans 4 episodes
1994, 1997 Walker, Texas Ranger Kurt Nypo / Russell Stafford 3 episodes
1995 Earth 2 The Z.E.D. Episode: "Redemption"
1996 Women: Stories of Passion Vincent Episode: "Sing, Sing Me the Blues"
1996 The Lazarus Man Matz Episode: "The Hold-Up"
1996 Kindred: The Embraced Daedalus 8 episodes
1997 Gold Coast Roland Crowe Television film
1997, 1998 Nothing Sacred Michael Reyneaux 2 episodes
1998 The Magnificent Seven Morgan Coltrane Episode: "Safecracker"
1998 The Advanced Guard Desmond Television film
1998 The Pretender Clavell Dane Episode: "Bank"
1998 C-16: FBI Ringo Lattimer Episode: "The Art of War"
1998 Logan's War: Bound by Honor Sal Mercado Television film
1999 Poltergeist: The Legacy Raymond Corvus 2 episodes
1999 Seven Days James Rance Episode: "A Dish Best Served Cold"
1999 Charmed Jackson Ward Episode: "The Power of Two"
1999–2002 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Rack / Zachary Kralik 4 episodes
2000 JAG Rory Coulter Episode: "Body Talk"
2000 American Tragedy Bill Pavelic Television film
2001 18 Wheels of Justice Bobby Episode: "Dance with the Devil"
2001 Star Trek: Voyager Iko Episode: "Repentance"
2001 Lost Voyage Dazinger Television film
2001, 2004 NYPD Blue Leon / Tom 2 episodes
2002 Star Trek: Enterprise Traeg Episode: "Shadows of P'Jem"
2002 Crossing Jordan Daryl Wood Episode: "Crime & Punishment"
2002 ER Toby and Matt's Dad Episode: "First Snowfall"
2002 Windfall Bennett Television film
2003 The Shield Bruce Rosen Episode: "Inferno"
2003 Peacemakers Major Hansen Episode: "Dead to Rights"
2003 10-8: Officers on Duty Ken Meade Episode: "Blood Sugar Sex Magik"
2003 The Guardian Fred Murphy Episode: "Believe"
2003, 2012 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Walter Hicks / Roger Wilder 2 episodes
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Abraham / Eugene Hoff Episode: "Charisma"
2004, 2006 Dr. Vegas Mitch 2 episodes
2005 Criminal Minds Leo Episode: "Derailed"
2005 Love's Long Journey Mason Television film
2006 24 Conrad Haas Episode: "Day 5: 7:00 a.m.-8:00 a.m."
2006 The Closer Scott Campbell Episode: "To Protect & to Serve"
2007 Supernatural Randall Episode: "Folsom Prison Blues"
2008 Aces 'N' Eights Tate Television film
2008 Reaper Dennis Episode: "Greg, Schmeg"
2008 The Cleaner Tom Porter Episode: "House of Pain"
2008 Numbers Brady Episode: "Conspiracy Theory"
2009 Cold Case Jack Dubinski Episode: "Lotto Fever"
2009 Burn Notice Falcone Episode: "Friends and Family"
2009 Mending Fences Jack Norris Jr. Television film
2009–2013 Sons of Anarchy Jacob Hale, Jr. 13 episodes
2010 Lost Mechanic Episode: "What Kate Does"
2010 CSI: Miami Glenn Harper Episode: "Dishonor"
2010 Law & Order: LA Toomey Episode: "Harbor City"
2011 Breakout Kings Harry Lee Reddin Episode: "Fun with Chemistry"
2012 New Girl Remy 4 episodes
2013 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Gun Seller Episode: "Gun Fever Too: Still Hot"
2014 The Walking Dead Joe 4 episodes
2014 NCIS: New Orleans Brick Myers Episode: "Chasing Ghosts"
2016 Shameless Jupiter 2 episodes
2016 Timeless Davy Crockett Episode: "The Alamo"
2016 12 Deadly Days Dad Episode: "Love Bites"
2017 His Wives and Daughters Eddie Ray Banks Episode: "Pilot"
2017–2018 The Walking Dead: Red Machete Joe 3 episodes
2017–2018 NCIS: Los Angeles Harris Keane 8 episodes
2018 Van Helsing Simon Episode: "Christ Pose"
2019 Sneaky Pete Jacques Reynard Episode: "The Stamford Trust Fall"
2019, 2021 Truth Be Told Jerbic 2 episodes
2020 Interrogation Drake Episode: "Henry Fisher vs Eric Fisher 1992"
2020 Bosch John the Baptist Episode: "Money, Honey"
2020 Big Dogs Capt. DiBiasi 7 episodes
2020 The Church of Mike Randy Pope Episode: "The Church of Mike"
2020–2025 General Hospital Cyrus Renault 168 episodes
2021 Big Sky Mr. Kennedy 2 episodes

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Jeff Kober (born December 18, 1953) is an American actor recognized for his versatile performances in television and film, particularly in dramatic and antagonistic roles. Best known for portraying Sgt. Evan "Dodger" Winslow in the series China Beach (1988–1991), Jacob Hale Jr. in Sons of Anarchy (2009–2013), and Joe in season four of The Walking Dead (2014), Kober has built a career spanning over four decades with appearances in more than 150 projects. Born in , Kober initially worked in various manual jobs, including as a rancher, farmer, factory worker, and carnival employee, before relocating to the area in his twenties to pursue acting. His early film roles included the villainous Roy Gaddis in (1986), marking the start of his frequent casting as tough or menacing characters. Notable film appearances followed in (1993) as Mook, (1993), and (1996), alongside a supporting role as Lieutenant Cook in Sully (2016) and in (2023). Kober's television work extends to guest and recurring roles in acclaimed series such as Lost, , , Shameless, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, and , showcasing his range across genres. He portrayed the crime lord Cyrus Renault on the soap opera from 2020 to 2025. Kober continues to be active in the industry, drawing on his distinctive presence for both live-action and voice performances.

Early life

Upbringing in Montana

Jeff Kober was born on December 18, 1953, in Billings, Montana. Raised in Billings, he grew up immersed in the rural landscapes of eastern Montana, where he engaged in ranching activities as part of his early experiences, including raising Black Angus cattle and sugar beets on the family ranch. In his youth, Kober worked as a rancher, farmer, factory worker, and carnival employee, contributing to the agricultural and industrial efforts typical of the region. Inspired by his who introduced him to the works of Shakespeare, Kober developed aspirations for opportunities outside , prompting his relocation to in his early twenties.

Relocation to California

In his early twenties, dissatisfied with ranching life in , Jeff Kober decided to pursue acting and followed a woman to the area, seeking the vibrant film and theater scene that contrasted sharply with his rural roots. Upon arriving in , Kober supported himself through jobs in the food service industry while establishing a foothold in the competitive entertainment industry and starting a rock band called The Walking Wounded. These roles provided financial stability as he transitioned into formal , reflecting the practical challenges many aspiring performers faced in the 1970s. Kober soon enrolled in acting classes with renowned theater educator Ed Kaye-Martin, whose instruction focused on foundational techniques and scene study, marking the beginning of his professional development in . This mentorship was pivotal, equipping him with the skills necessary to navigate auditions and build a in television and film.

Acting career

Early television roles

Kober's early television career gained momentum in the late with his recurring role as Evan "Dodger" Winslow in the critically acclaimed drama , which aired from 1988 to 1991. Portrayed as a resourceful nicknamed for his ability to evade danger, Dodger navigated the harrowing realities of the , frequently interacting with the medical staff at the 51st Evacuation Hospital while contending with profound and moral ambiguities. His delved into the war's emotional toll, evolving from a detached survivor to one confronting personal losses, including a storyline where he returns stateside with a half-Vietnamese son, underscoring the enduring scars of combat and societal rejection faced by veterans. Building on this exposure, Kober secured guest appearances in prominent series. Transitioning into the , he continued with episodic roles in action-oriented programs like , appearing as the menacing Kurt Nypo in the 1994 episode "Something in the Shadows" and as Russell Stafford in the 1997 episode "99th Ranger," often embodying antagonistic figures in high-stakes narratives. These parts highlighted his ability to convey intensity and menace in supporting capacities. A standout role came in 1996 with Kindred: The Embraced, a short-lived series based on the Vampire: The Masquerade universe, where Kober portrayed , the enigmatic and reclusive leader of the clan—a disfigured hiding in the shadows of San Francisco's underworld. For the character, Kober not only delivered a nuanced performance blending menace with vulnerability but also personally created the abstract paintings that adorned Daedalus's lair, adding authenticity to the role. The series, though canceled after one season due to low ratings, developed a for its gothic exploration of vampire politics. During this era, Kober frequently encountered as tough-guy or villainous characters, a trend that stemmed from his early portrayals of brooding, antagonistic figures and posed challenges in securing more varied leading roles. Despite this, he embraced the opportunities to infuse depth into such parts, leveraging his physical presence and emotional range to become a go-to actor for intense, morally complex supporting performances in television.

Film work

Jeff Kober's film career began in the mid-1980s with supporting roles that often showcased his ability to portray intense, antagonistic characters. His debut feature was (1986), where he played Roy Gaddis, a menacing drug dealer in a thriller about a teenager caught in a web of crime after arriving in . This early role established Kober's screen presence in action-oriented narratives, drawing on his rugged features to embody villains with a palpable threat. Following this, he appeared as Patrick Channing in the (1990), portraying a whose malevolent spirit haunts a after execution. These initial projects highlighted Kober's knack for thriller genres, where his performances added layers of psychological tension to ensemble casts. Throughout the 1990s and early , Kober expanded into action films, frequently taking on roles that emphasized moral ambiguity and physical confrontation. In One Man's Justice (also known as One Tough Bastard, 1995), he portrayed Marcus, a corrupt figure in a revenge-driven story centered on a former seeking retribution for his family's . Similarly, in (2003), Kober played Pomona Joe, a enforcer in a high-stakes DEA operation led by Vin Diesel's character, contributing to the film's gritty depiction of the drug trade. These appearances underscored his versatility within action thrillers, where he balanced menace with subtle depth, often as key supporting antagonists that propelled the plot's conflicts. In later years, Kober transitioned toward more dramatic roles, demonstrating range beyond genre conventions. He appeared in Clint Eastwood's Sully (2016) as L.T. Cook, a mentoring a young Chesley Sullenberger in flashback sequences that explored the pilot's early career and decision-making under pressure. This supporting turn in a biographical drama marked a shift toward character-driven stories. Kober further showcased dramatic nuance in (2018), directed by , where he played Mr. Walters, a compassionate tree farm owner who offers shelter to a father and daughter living , providing a moment of quiet humanity amid themes of isolation and reintegration. Across these works, Kober's contributions to dramatic and thriller cinema reflect a consistent ability to enhance narratives through understated intensity, without dominating the spotlight.

Later television roles

In the late 2000s, Kober gained prominence for his recurring role as Jacob Hale Jr., the president of the rival Calaveras Motorcycle Club, in the FX series Sons of Anarchy from 2008 to 2013. As a strategic and ruthless antagonist to the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club Redwood Original (SAMCRO), Hale's arc involved escalating territorial conflicts, family loyalties, and moral ambiguities that heightened the show's central rivalries, appearing in 18 episodes across seasons 2 through 5. His portrayal emphasized Hale's calculated demeanor and underlying vulnerability, contributing to the series' exploration of outlaw brotherhoods. Kober continued to take on intense guest roles in prestige television, notably as Joe, the volatile leader of the cannibalistic Claimers group, in season 4 of AMC's The Walking Dead in 2014. Joe's brief but memorable arc introduced a band of survivalist marauders who terrorized protagonists like Rick Grimes, culminating in a brutal confrontation where Rick bit out Joe's throat in self-defense, underscoring the post-apocalyptic erosion of humanity. This four-episode stint highlighted Kober's ability to embody menacing, unpredictable villains in high-stakes ensemble dramas. Shifting to daytime television, Kober portrayed the drug lord Cyrus Renault on ABC's General Hospital from February 2020 to June 2021, with brief returns in late 2022 and early 2025. As the half-brother of established character Laura Spencer, Renault schemed to control through narcotics trafficking and institutional corruption, serving as a formidable whose arc added layers of redemption and manipulation before his character's death by gunshot in February 2025. Over approximately , Kober's performance earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2021, blending menace with psychological depth. In more recent years, Kober has appeared in guest capacities on streaming and network series, including Jimmy Kachel in the Apple TV+ dramedy High Desert in 2023, a single-episode role involving a quirky desert-town intrigue. He followed this with Doug Green, a high-risk prisoner patient, in the season 9 finale of NBC's Chicago Med in 2024, where his character complicated a medical and ethical dilemma for the emergency team. These roles reflect Kober's career trajectory toward portraying layered antagonists and survivors in serialized narratives, evolving from straightforward tough guys in earlier work to multifaceted figures in acclaimed ensemble shows like Sons of Anarchy and The Walking Dead.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Jeff Kober was first married to Rhonda Talbot, a film company executive, on February 4, 1989; the couple had one son, Henry, before divorcing. He later married fashion publicist Kelly Cutrone on August 25, 1998, but the marriage also ended in divorce. Kober has been married to Adele Slaughter since 2013, and the couple resides in Studio City, California, where they share family life with Slaughter's son from a previous relationship, Alexander Woolverton, whom Kober has described as his stepson. As a father, Kober has one biological child, Henry, from his first marriage, and he maintains a close family dynamic in his current household.

Musical interests

Jeff Kober is proficient as a bass guitarist, having honed his skills during his early adulthood in Los Angeles. In his twenties, after relocating to California, Kober co-founded the rock band The Walking Wounded alongside musician Jerry Giddens and other friends, where he served as the bassist. The band represented an initial creative endeavor for Kober, blending his musical talents with his emerging interest in performance arts, though he later reflected that his bass playing was "not very good" and served more as an expressive outlet before shifting focus to acting. Music has integrated into Kober's personal life as a foundational artistic pursuit, particularly during his formative years in the entertainment industry, where band activities complemented his early non- jobs and provided a platform for live performances in local scenes. While specific recordings from are not widely documented, Kober's involvement underscores music's role as a personal creative avenue that paralleled his professional development. Post-2020, Kober has not publicly pursued new musical projects or performances, with his artistic energies directed toward other outlets like teaching and writing, though his proficiency remains a noted aspect of his multifaceted background.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole
1986Roy Gaddis
1988Det. Sgt. LeVar Mercer
1988Lucky StiffIke
1990Patrick Channing
1991Session ManChris
1992In the Heat of PassionMad Dog
1992The Hit ListRichard Cordon
1993The Baby Doll MurdersLouis
1995Booga
1998Col. Hayes
2002EnoughSlayton
2003Ciro
2007Red
2012The Guilt TripAndy
2015River GuardDetective Mitchell
2016SullyLT Cook
2017Lost Cat CoronaPaw
2017Bruce
2018Mr. Walters
2018Zack
2018Dead SoundStone
2019Lie ExposedPhotographer
2020Find Your VoiceCoach K
2021Topology of SirensBurt
2023Cowboy
2024BreakJimmy
2024Cash for GoldRobby
2024John
This list is compiled from credible sources such as and TMDB.

Television

Jeff Kober has appeared in numerous television series, miniseries, and webisodes from 1983 to 2025, often in guest, recurring, and regular roles. The following table provides a chronological overview of his television credits, including show titles, years, characters portrayed, and episode counts where specified.
Year(s)TitleRoleEpisodes
1983The Winds of War (miniseries)Lt. Deutsch1
1985DynastyBiff Jordan1
1986Falcon CrestBen Maxwell3
1987L.A. LawSgt. Taylor1
1988–1989China BeachSgt. Evan 'Dodger' Winslow43
1990The FlashPike1
1991Murder, She WroteWayne Platte1
1992RenegadeJack Trask1
1993Walker, Texas RangerCaleb Hooks1
1994ERDavid Alvarez1
1995Picket FencesJesse 'Hill' Hillyer1
1995Star Trek: VoyagerNirren1
1996Kindred: The EmbracedEddie Furey8
1996Walker, Texas RangerGrant1
1997The CapeJacob 'Red' Rockwell1
1997The PretenderCharles Myerson1
1998Pensacola: Wings of GoldMack1
1998V.I.P.Boyd1
2000CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationWalter Hicks1
200124OD Finn2
2002The X-FilesPincus1
2002Buffy the Vampire SlayerMorhaug1
2003The Lyon's DenMr. Nichols1
2004LOSTCrazy Man1
2004Threat MatrixHayes1
2004Law & Order: Special Victims UnitAbraham / Eugene Hoff1
2005JAGSgt. Dan Craig1
2005The CloserLane Purdy1
2005Criminal MindsDet. Paul Edmonds1
2006BonesVictor Drago1
2007Women's Murder ClubLloyd Burton1
2008My Own Worst EnemyDr. Jonathan Smith1
2008–2013Sons of AnarchyJacob Hale Jr.15
2009NCIS: Los AngelesHarris Keane1
2010Law & Order: LAToomey1
2011New GirlRemy2
2012The Walking Dead: Torn Apart (webisodes)Joe6
2013The Walking DeadJoe5
2013Ray DonovanSt. Patrick1
2014ShamelessKeith1
2015The Hotwives of Las VegasJ.R.1
2018BarryEd1
2019The DeuceMike1
2020–2021, 2025General HospitalCyrus RenaultRecurring (approx. 50)
2021WalkerWitt HamiltonRecurring (8)
2023High DesertBruce Westerfeld4
2023New AmsterdamClyde1
2024Chicago MedDoug Green1

References

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