Barry Corbin was born in Lamesa, Texas.  Named for author J. M. Barrie by his mom, Corbin studied theatre arts at Texas Tech University in Lubbock. At 21, he joined the United States Marine Corps, where he served two years.

 

Corbin began his career as a Shakespearean actor in the 1960s, but today he is more likely to be seen in the role of the local sheriff, military leader, or some other authority figure. To moviegoers, he is well remembered as General Beringer in War Games, John Travolta's uncle Bob Davis in Urban Cowboy, co-starring with Clint Eastwood in Any Which Way You Can, or Roscoe Brown, July Johnson's bumbling deputy in the acclaimed western Lonesome Dove.

 

His extensive television credits include several episodes of Dallas as Sheriff Fenton Washburn,The Thorn Birds, and the NBC television series Boone. But he is perhaps best known for his role as former astronaut Maurice Minnifield on CBS's Northern Exposure, for which he received an Emmy Award nomination.

 

More recently he has appeared on several hit shows and critically acclaimed projects such as The Closer,One Tree Hill, No Country for Old Men and Modern Family.

 

An avid horse rider and ultimate Texan, Corbin is also the signature voice of radio station KPLX in Fort Worth, Texas. His lengthy and distinguished career has earned him a number of hometown accolades as well. Corbin won the Buffalo Bill Cody Award for quality family entertainment and the Western Heritage Award from the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Texas Cowboy Hall of Fame and the Texas Film Hall of Fame.  Corbin continues to work regularly and delight audiences with his unmistakable Texas drawl, commanding presence and natural charisma.