Italian-American model, actor, and television personality, Antonio Sabato Jr., has charmed audiences with his striking looks and varied career. From Calvin Klein billboards to soap opera stardom, his journey reflects ambition, determination, and a desire for reinvention.
This article covers his childhood, rise to fame, acting and reality TV career, as well as his personal life, offering a relatable look at a man who’s navigated Hollywood’s highs and lows. Without wasting any time, let’s jump right into it.
Early Life: From Rome to Hollywood
Born on February 29, 1972, in Rome, Italy, Antonio Sabato Jr. was raised in a creative household. His father was the famous Italian film star Antonio Sabato Sr., while his mother, Yvonne, a Prague-born realtor of Jewish origins, brought depth to his upbringing.
In 1993, at the age of 13, after losing their house to fire, his family moved to Beverly Hills, California. Learning English as a second language, he adapted quickly, graduating from Palisades Charter High School. His Italian roots and immigrant experience shaped his determination and made his story relatable to those chasing dreams in a new land.
Modeling Career: Calvin Klein’s Breakout Star
In 1990, Antonio starred in Janet Jackson’s “Love Will Never Do (With You)” music video, where his chiseled features caught the attention of many.
By 1996, he became the face of Calvin Klein’s iconic underwear campaign, photographed by Herb Ritts. His 90-foot Times Square billboard made him a global heartthrob, landing him in People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People” list.
“I was just a kid from Rome,” he once said, reflecting on his surreal rise. He once referred to himself as “a kid from Rome,” describing his surreal upbringing. This modeling success led to acting, showcasing his ability to seize opportunities.
Acting Journey: Soap Operas to Reality TV
Antonio joined General Hospital in 1992 as Jagger Cates, a brooding bad boy whose role helped the show increase in ratings, earning him three Soap Opera Digest Award nominations. He later played Jack Parezi on Melrose Place and Dante Damiano on The Bold and the Beautiful, cementing his soap opera fame.
His film credits include The Big Hit (1998) and Drifter: Henry Lee Lucas (2009), where he won Best Actor at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. Antonio also embraced reality TV, starring in My Antonio (2009), competing on Dancing with the Stars (2014), and hosting Fix It & Finish It. Guest roles on CSI: NY, Bones, and Rizzoli & Isles highlight his versatility, though he’s faced challenges securing leading roles.
Personal Life and Family
Antonio’s personal life is just as eventful as his career. He married Tully Jensen from 1992 to 1993, and then dated actress Virginia Madsen, with whom he has a son, Jack (born 1994). His marriage to Cheryl Moana Marie Nunes (2012–2018) brought two children, daughter Mina Bree and son Antonio III.
