Forbes was born in England but was brought up in Halifax, Nova Scotia He was the son of a professor of Philosophy and a school teacher, who attended the prestigious Lee Strasberg Acting Institute on a full scholarship.He was a model appearing in campaigns for Tommy Hilfiger, Armani and Marlboro Clothing. He landed the role of "Scott Chandler" in All My Children (1970). Forbes' other credits include independent films, Off Broadway and Campfire Stories (2001). He currently lives in Hoboken, New Jersey with his fiancé, his daughter Marina, two dogs and one canary. He is starring in Mutant X (2001) as "Jesse Kilmartin".