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Jonathan Kent John Schneider was born on April 8, 1960 in Mount Kisco, New York. He was raised in Atlanta, Georgia and began acting when he was only eight years old. As he was growing up, Schneider also learned how to play the guitar, and he used his musical prowess to entertain guests at various gatherings and social events. He also developed an interest in car racing and for a short period of time tried to make it as a professional race car driver.
As an experienced driver, Schneider was the best candidate for the role of Bo Duke in the television series, The Dukes of Hazzard. However, in order to audition for the said role, Schneider had to lie to the creators of the show about his age. Since the show wanted actors aged between 24 to 30, Schneider told them that he was 24, when in fact, he was only 18. Nevertheless, he was given the part, and Schneider stayed with the series until it ended in 1985.
His other television credits include 10.5, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman, Diagnosis Murder, Touched by an Angel, JAG, Walker, Texas Ranger, Relic Hunter, Veronica’s Closet, Twice in a Lifetime, Living with Fran, Felicity: An All American Girl Adventure, Mary Christmas, Burke’s Law, Second Chances, Wild Jack and Texas. In 2001, he landed the role of Jonathan Kent in the television series, Smallville, but the character eventually met his demise in 2006.
Apart from acting, Schneider is also an accomplished country singer. In 1981, he recorded his first album, Now or Never, and it was among the Top Ten hits at the time. The single, “It’s Now or Never,” was at the Top Five of both the country and adult contemporary charts. Subsequently, he released the holiday album entitled White Christmas, and thereafter began working wit MCA, with whom he made five albums in a span of three years. His other chart-topping singles include “I’ve Been Around Enough to Know,” “Country Girls,” “What’s a Memory Like You (Doing in a Love Like This)” and “You’re the Last Thing I Needed Tonight.”
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