Peter Gallagher: The eternal Sandy Cohen turns 70

Peter Gallagher celebrates his 70th birthday on August 19. The actor, born in New York City in 1955, was part of the main cast of the successful series “OC, California” (in the original: “The OC”). The role as head of family Sandford “Sandy” Cohen made him known internationally. Then not only waved further series appearances.

“OC, California” made the teen hearts beat faster from 2003. The story about Ryan Atwood (Benjamin McKenzie, 46), who comes from difficult family relationships and finds a home with the family of Sandy Cohen (Gallagher) in the coastal city of Newport Beach, enthusiastic fans worldwide. Cast members such as Adam Brody (45) or Mischa Barton (39) became stars. Peter Gallagher also became a serial favorite due to his role as a loving replacement dad. He previously started his career as an actor on Broadway and in cinema and television films such as “Sex, Lies, and VideoTape” (1989), “Brave New World” (1998), “While You Were Sleeping” (1995) or “American Beauty” (1999).

In 2007 “OC, California” ended with the final of the fourth season. And Peter Gallagher? The films like “Burlesque” (2010), “Step Up Revolution” (2012) or “After” (2019). At Broadway he was last seen in “Left on Tenth” (2024). “It has always been my wish to return to Broadway” ,. “I like to have a place where I can go where I see the stage writer, the carpenter, the wardrobe and the house staff.”

Gallagher also remained loyal to the serial genre. He stood in front of the camera for “Covert Affairs”, “Grace and Frankie” and “Grey’s Anatomy”. In the latter, he took on the role of Dr. David Hamilton and was able to look forward to an “OC, California” face on the set: Gallagher celebrated a reunion with Luke actor Chris Carmack (44). “He is the same great young man and the same talent that I met at the beginning of The OC, only twice as strong and an even better guitarist! Nice to see you, Chris!”, Gallagher wrote in October 2021 for a photo on Instagram.

“OC, California” still seems to play an important role in Gallagher’s life anyway. Because the fans still connect him to the head of the family Sandy Cohen. This becomes clear in many comments on his Instagram postings. “You were sure to be our Sandy Cohen forever” ,. Another commented: “One of my favorite fathers! You were so great in this series!” A user explains: “I used to want Sandy to be my father, now I just want to emulate him as a parent of my own child.”

In the “Little Known Facts” podcast, Gallagher also reported last February about an encounter with a young couple, as can be heard in a clip on Instagram. The pregnant woman told him that she had had no role models or father figures in the past and trusted Sandy Cohen. “She said, ‘I chose my partner because he was the most like Sandy, loving and supportive.'”

Even as a private individual, Peter Gallagher can boast of the role as a role model. He has been married to his wife Paula Harwood (69), whom he met at college. , Actress and singer Kathryn Gallagher (32) and filmmaker James Gallagher.

He said “Broadway.com” about daughter Kathryn: “I’m so proud of her. We don’t have together [geschauspielert]but we sang in different places on stage. I did a one-man show for a while and took it on tour. Our son Jamie is a filmmaker and I tried to offer both children opportunities and experiences. “And what did he get to his daughter, who steps into his direct footsteps?” It’s pretty easy: Learn the names of the people, make sure that you pick up your clothes yourself, be ready to work harder than everyone else and enjoy every minute. “