Carlos Bernard spent his formative years in Mexico City and Chicago, where he was immersed in the vibrant cultural scenes of both cities. He attended New Trier High School, a renowned institution that provided him with a solid foundation in the arts. Bernard then went on to major in Fine Art at Illinois State University, where he honed his creative skills and developed a passion for the performing arts.
After completing his college education, Bernard began his acting career in Chicago, performing at esteemed theaters such as The Second City, Victory Gardens, and Pegasus Players. He quickly gained recognition for his talents and was soon offered a spot in the prestigious American Conservatory Theater masters program in San Francisco. During his time at A.C.T., Bernard appeared in a range of classic plays, including Hamlet, As You Like It, The Cherry Orchard, Heartbreak House, and Good.
Bernard's impressive resume boasts a wide range of film and television credits, including The Lincoln Lawyer, The Orville, Madame Secretary, Supergirl, Castle, CSI Miami, and Dallas. However, he is perhaps most well-known for his iconic portrayal of Tony Almeida on the critically acclaimed series 24, for which he received numerous award nominations, including two Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, two Alma Award nominations, and three Imagen Award nominations.
In addition to his acting career, Bernard has also ventured into writing and directing for both the stage and screen. He received an LA Weekly Theater Award nomination for Best Director for his staging of Vaclav Havel's play The Memorandum. Bernard's first film, Your Father's Daughter, which he wrote and directed, premiered at The Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival. He has also directed episodes of various television shows, including FBI, Law & Order, Chicago Fire, FBI Most Wanted, Law & Order: Organized Crime, BULL, Criminal Minds, and Magnum P.I.
Bernard has been recognized for his talents by being selected to participate in the Warner Bros. Directors' Workshop and the Sony Pictures Television Diverse Directors Program. He was also one of the founding members of the Ashbury Actors Group theater company in Los Angeles.
When he's not working, Bernard can often be found cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs, a lifelong passion of his.
