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| Barry Borbin, at left, played Maurice Minnifield for six seasons on "Northern Exposure". Here he is with Rob Morrow, who played Dr. Joel Fleischman. Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/ 2020/07/10/ northern-exposure-turns-30-looking-back-quirky-cbs-drama/3224245001/ (Photo: CBS) (May be subject to copyright) |
Such is the long and prolific career of Barry Corbin.
When I saw him play Judd’s dad on “911: Lone Star”, that voice in particular took me back to a row boat in Cicely, Alaska in 1990, the first time I ever saw him on the small screen.
Although my first memory is at the start of the 1990s, Barry Corbin had already had a prolific career in TV and the movies in the ‘80s.
Film actor
His first role on the big screen was in “Urban Cowboy” in 1980, followed that same year with spots in “Stir Crazy” and “Any Which Way You Can”. The next year, 1981, he was in “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, and in 1982 he was in “Six Pack”, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, and “Honkytank Man”. In 1983, he appeared in “War Games” and “The Man Who Loved Women”, followed in 1985 with “My Science Project”, and “Nothing in Common” in 1986. In 1987 he was in “Under Cover”, and in 1989 he was in “Who’s Harry Crumb?”.
His first role on the big screen was in “Urban Cowboy” in 1980, followed that same year with spots in “Stir Crazy” and “Any Which Way You Can”. The next year, 1981, he was in “The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia”, and in 1982 he was in “Six Pack”, “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”, and “Honkytank Man”. In 1983, he appeared in “War Games” and “The Man Who Loved Women”, followed in 1985 with “My Science Project”, and “Nothing in Common” in 1986. In 1987 he was in “Under Cover”, and in 1989 he was in “Who’s Harry Crumb?”.
It is a veritable who’s who of middle of the road movies from the decade.
TV actor
Barry Corbin’s first recurring role on TV was in “Dallas” where he played Sheriff Fenton Washburn in nine episodes from 1979 to 1984.
Barry Corbin’s first recurring role on TV was in “Dallas” where he played Sheriff Fenton Washburn in nine episodes from 1979 to 1984.
He also guest starred in “M*A*S*H”; “Hart to Hart”; the mini-series “The Thorn Birds”; “The A-Team”; “The Twilight Zone”; “Murder, She Wrote”; “Matlock”; the mini-series “Lonesome Dove”; and much more.
Then he got the role that changed everything.
Heading north
I will never forget the scene, politically incorrect in today’s time, but that tried to be funny. It was the premiere episode of “Northern Exposure”, a show in which New York City Doctor Joel Fleischman has moved north to the tiny community of Cicely, Alaska. e is there to be their doctor for a few years, in exchange for them having paid for his medical school education.
I will never forget the scene, politically incorrect in today’s time, but that tried to be funny. It was the premiere episode of “Northern Exposure”, a show in which New York City Doctor Joel Fleischman has moved north to the tiny community of Cicely, Alaska. e is there to be their doctor for a few years, in exchange for them having paid for his medical school education.
Fleischman is sitting in a fishing boat with Maurice Minnifield, patriarch of Cicely.
“It took us a long time to get a Jew doctor from New York,” he told Fleischman.
Fleischman, in turn, looks incredulous, but what can he say?
Maurice Minnifield was played by Barry Corbin.
Maurice Minnifield was played by Barry Corbin.
Community leader
Minnifield had his hand in every part of Cicely. Not only was he a retired astronaut and millionaire, he owned the local radio station, newspaper, and 15,000 acres he hopes to develop into the “Alaskan Riviera”.
Minnifield had his hand in every part of Cicely. Not only was he a retired astronaut and millionaire, he owned the local radio station, newspaper, and 15,000 acres he hopes to develop into the “Alaskan Riviera”.
Wikipedia describes him as pompous, overbearing and bigoted, as illustrated by the above conversation. However, he does help out every character on the show as well.
Corbin appeared in all 110 episodes of “Northern Exposure”, and was nominated two straight years for an Emmy for the role of Maurice Minnifield.
The years after
Corbin continued to appear in television shows. The next major role I recall, and one I really loved him in, was as high school basketball coach Whitey Durham in “One Tree Hill”, where he appeared in 90 episodes. He was more than a coach though. He was a father figure, sage, philosopher, and mentor to half brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott.
Corbin continued to appear in television shows. The next major role I recall, and one I really loved him in, was as high school basketball coach Whitey Durham in “One Tree Hill”, where he appeared in 90 episodes. He was more than a coach though. He was a father figure, sage, philosopher, and mentor to half brothers Lucas and Nathan Scott.
He also had a 13-episode stint on “The Closer”; 16 episodes in “Suit Up”; an even 100 episodes with Charlie Sheen in “Anger Management”; 32 episodes in “The Ranch”; and three episodes in “Better Call Saul”.
His most recent roles were an episode of “Yellowstone” in 2021; and he has played Stuart Ryder, firfeighter Judd Ryder’s father, on three episodes of “911: Lone Star” from 2020 to 2022.
Parting thoughts
Barry Corbin is an actor that just keeps on going. He may have started on TV in 1976 and appeared in his first movie in 1980, but he does not look like he has slowed down, or will any time soon.
Barry Corbin is an actor that just keeps on going. He may have started on TV in 1976 and appeared in his first movie in 1980, but he does not look like he has slowed down, or will any time soon.
He continues to turn in quality performances in some of today’s best shows, always with that unmistakable drawl, and I look forward to seeing him pop up again and again.
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