Corin Nemec
An actor who deftly navigated from teen sitcom star to a respected figure in cult sci-fi and horror television.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American actor·Birthday: November 5·Generation X
Biography
Corin Nemec, initially billed as the charmingly geeky 'Corky,' first captured attention as the unflappable, scheming title character in the innovative sitcom 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose.' This early success as a teen idol could have typecast him, but Nemec deliberately pursued darker, more complex roles. He delivered a haunting performance as the kidnapped Steven Stayner in the TV movie 'I Know My First Name Is Steven,' showcasing a dramatic range that surprised many. He later became a fixture in genre television, most notably as the principled alien Jonas Quinn on 'Stargate SG-1,' seamlessly joining an established cast. Nemec's career is a study in sustained relevance, built on a willingness to evolve from a 1990s pop-culture face into a dependable character actor within passionate fan communities.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Corin was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Corin Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Corin's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Starred as the titular, fourth-wall-breaking high schooler in the cult classic sitcom 'Parker Lewis Can't Lose' (1990–1993).
- Portrayed the real-life kidnapping victim Steven Stayner in the critically acclaimed television movie 'I Know My First Name Is Steven' (1989).
- Joined the main cast of 'Stargate SG-1' for its sixth and seventh seasons, playing the Tok'ra-turned-team-member Jonas Quinn.
Did You Know?
He is a skilled graffiti artist and has painted under the name 'Corin Nemec.'
He was a competitive gymnast as a child and young adult.
He is an advocate for the legalization of medical marijuana and has spoken publicly about its benefits.
“I've always been drawn to characters that operate in the gray areas.”
