Kerwin grew up in the Chicago suburb of Flossmoor, Illinois, a place that would later influence his future endeavors. After graduating from the University of Southern California's Film School in 1972, he made the bold move to New York City to pursue his passion for acting on the stage.
Following several off-off Broadway productions, Kerwin landed a brief stint on the popular television show "The Young and the Restless" in Los Angeles. However, he soon found himself staying in LA for the next 15 years, working steadily in films, television, and on stage. This period saw him work regularly in television, with roles in standard network fare, recurring roles in shows such as "Roseanne" (1988),"The West Wing" (1999),and "HBO's The Knick" (2014).
Kerwin's extensive television credits also include numerous TV movies and miniseries, as well as starring in the critically acclaimed Showtime series "Beggars and Choosers" (1999). In addition to his television work, Kerwin has had a successful career in feature films, with notable roles in "Murphy's Romance" (1985),"Torch Song Trilogy" (1988),"Jack" (1996),"Love Field" (1992),and "Hard Promises" (1991). He has also appeared in more recent films such as "27 Dresses" (2008) and "The Help" (2016),where he played the father of Emma Stone.
Despite his success in film and television, Kerwin's true passion has always been the stage. He has performed in regional theatres throughout the country, including South Coast Rep, San Diego's Old Globe, The Seattle Rep, and The Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. In 1993, he and his wife, Jeanne, a theatrical producer, moved to Manhattan's Upper West Side, where they raised their three children. During this time, Kerwin worked extensively both on and off Broadway, culminating with his 19-month run in Tracy Letts' Tony and Pulitzer Award-winning play, "August: Osage County".
Tragedy struck in 2016 when Kerwin was widowed, but he continues to reside in New York City, where he remains active in the entertainment industry.
