Christopher Rich (actor)
Christopher Rich | |
|---|---|
 Rich in 2018 | |
| Born | Christopher Rich Wilson September 16, 1953 |
| Education | |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1981–present |
| Spouses |
|
| Children | 3 |
Christopher Rich Wilson (born September 16, 1953)[1] is an American actor, best known for his roles on Murphy Brown, Reba, and Boston Legal.
Career
Rich first became popular playing the role of Alexander "Sandy" Cory on the daytime drama Another World from 1981 to 1985.[2] He also starred in the short-lived 1987–1988 series The Charmings as Prince Eric Charming, with Carol Huston, Caitlin O'Heaney, Judy Parfitt, and Paul Winfield.[3]
In 1990, Rich played the role of popular cartoon character Archie Andrews in the TV film Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again; the film was based on the characters of Archie Comics.[4] Rich then appeared in the 1993 film The Joy Luck Club.
During the 1990s, Rich had guest appearances in several television shows like Renegade, The Nanny, Suddenly Susan, and ER, among others. He also had recurring roles in The George Carlin Show (as Dr. Neil Beck), Murphy Brown (as Miller Redfield), and Nash Bridges (as Agent David Katz).[5][6]
In 2001, Rich joined the cast of Reba playing Brock Hart, the ex-husband of the title character (played by Reba McEntire).[2] Rich stayed in the show until the end of the series in 2007, and also directed several episodes in Seasons 5 and 6.
During this time, Rich also had a recurring role on Boston Legal playing attorney Melvin Palmer. After that, he also played Bree's book publisher, Bruce, on two episodes of ABC's Desperate Housewives. He also played Mel's father in the TV series Melissa & Joey.
Personal life
Rich attended the University of Texas and received a master's degree in theater arts from Cornell University. He was married to Another World co-star Nancy Frangione from 1982 until 1996.
He is currently married to his second wife (since 2003), Eva Rich (née Ewa Halina Jesionowska), a Miss Poland 1985 finalist and former gymnast who participated at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow.[1] Rich has fraternal twin daughters with Eva, Lily and Daisy Rich, and a daughter with Frangione, Mariel Rich.[1]
In 2015, Christopher and Eva Rich and their two daughters appeared in the first two seasons of the Polish reality TV series called Żony Hollywood (English Hollywood Wives) based on The Real Housewives franchise, in which his wife, Eva, was one of the stars.
In 2018, Rich suffered a massive stroke, which initially disabled him from using the left side of his body; he was no longer able to walk, and the affected side left him in a great deal of pain. As of February 2025, due to therapy and experimental treatment, the left side of his body has since recovered much of its previous function. Rich has regained his ability to walk without assistance, and the pain on his left side was said to have been reduced by approximately 80%.[7]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | The First Time | Sports Car Stud | |
| 1989 | Prisoners of Inertia | Dave | |
| 1991 | Flight of the Intruder | Lt. Morgan 'Morg' McPherson | |
| 1993 | The Joy Luck Club | Rich Schields | |
| 1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Sandy | |
| 2014 | Rawdon's Roof | Joe Bradley | Short |
| 2016 | Light on Sunshine | Rocky | Short |
| Cassidy Way | Donald | ||
| 2017 | Anabolic Life | Dr. Williams | |
| 2018 | The Christmas Trap | Bob Gentry | |
| 2021 | Spiked | Dr. Matthews | |
| 2024 | Bedtime Stories: Tales of Love and Hate | Joe Bradley | |
| 2025 | Deep River | Pops |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1985 | Another World | Sandy Cory | Main role; 251 episodes |
| 1985 | The Recovery Room | Dr. Russell Sears | TV film |
| 1987 | Sweet Surrender | Vaughn Parker | Episode: "Where There's a Will..." |
| 1987–1888 | The Charmings | Eric Charming | Main role; 21 episodes |
| 1988 | Smart Guys | Ned | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1989 | Hound Town | Napoleon (voice) | TV film |
| Baywatch | Derrick Benton | Episode: "The Drowning Pool" | |
| 1989–1997 | Murphy Brown | Miller Redfield | 22 episodes |
| 1990 | Empty Nest | John | Episode: "Complainin' in the Rain" |
| Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again | Archie Andrews | TV film | |
| Married People | Ned | Episode: "To Live and Drive in New York" | |
| 1991 | In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas | Scott Faul | TV film |
| The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw | Lute Cantrell | TV film | |
| 1992 | Sibs | Sean | 4 episodes |
| 1993 | Almost Home | Jim Morgan | Episode: "Winner Take Millicent" |
| Dream On | Mark | Episode: "A Midsummer Night's Dream On" | |
| The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. | Doc McCoy | Episode: "A.K.A. Kansas" | |
| 1994–1995 | The George Carlin Show | Dr. Neil Beck | Main role; 27 episodes |
| 1995 | The Nanny | Kurt Jacobs | Episode: "A Fine Friendship" |
| The Client | Dan Goodwin | Episode: "The Way Things Never Were" | |
| 1996 | Renegade | Ted Fisher | Episode: "No Place Like Home" |
| Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Mr. Jones | Episode: "The Impossible Mission Episode" | |
| Hope and Gloria | Dr. Ben Shipley | Episode: "Tainted Love" | |
| The Louie Show | Bob | Episode: "A Brush with Bob" | |
| 1996–1998 | Nash Bridges | Agent David Katz | 3 episodes |
| 1997 | Life... and Stuff | Chuck Metcalf | Episode: "Life... and Fisticuffs" |
| 1998 | Suddenly Susan | Rep. Francis Shafer | 2 episodes |
| Alright Already | Lowell | 2 episodes | |
| Ghosts of Fear Street | PJ Murphy | TV special | |
| The Tony Danza Show | Kyle Wentworth | Episode: "Sue You" | |
| 1999 | Love Boat: The Next Wave | Matt | Episode: "Divorce, Downbeat and Distemper" |
| Sabrina the Teenage Witch | John | Episode: "Love Means Having to Say You're Sorry" | |
| 2000 | ER | Ron Perth | Episode: "Be Patient" |
| Going Home | Jack | TV film | |
| 2001 | The Lone Gunmen | Jefferson | Episode: "Three Men and a Smoking Diaper" |
| 2001–2007 | Reba | Brock Hart | Main role; 122 episodes |
| 2004 | Fatherhood | Mr. Tremblay (voice) | Episode: "Balancing the Books" |
| 2005–2008 | Boston Legal | Melvin Palmer | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | The Wedding Bells | Johnny Kad | Episode: "Fools in Love" |
| 2009 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Coach Jimmy Miller | Episode: "Bloodsport" |
| 2009–2010 | Desperate Housewives | Bruce | 2 episodes |
| 2010–2015 | Melissa & Joey | Russell Burke | 8 episodes |
| 2011 | Shake It Up | Mayor Bartlett | Episode: "Shake It Up, Up & Away" |
| My Freakin' Family | Gary | TV film | |
| 2012 | Happily Divorced | Frank | Episode: "The Reunion" |
| Animal Practice | Jack Jackson | Episode: "Turkey Jerky" | |
| Rizzoli & Isles | Det. Rich Gibson | Episode: "Virtual Love" | |
| 2013 | Holiday Road Trip | Roger | TV film |
| 2014 | Swallow Your Bliss | Martin | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2025 | Happy's Place | Maverick | Episode: "Sisters Ink" |
References
- 1 2 3 "Christopher Rich from 'Reba' is a Loving Husband and Father - Meet His Family". December 9, 2019.
- 1 2 Kimont, Kaitlin (February 21, 2025). "Christopher Rich & Reba McEntire Reunite on Happy's Place". Yahoo.
- ↑ Leszczak, Bob (2016). Single Season Sitcoms of the 1980s: A Complete Guide. McFarland. pp. 193–195. ISBN 9781476623849.
- ↑ Phillips, Charles (1991). Archie: His First 50 Years. Abbeville Press. p. 72. ISBN 9781558592063.
- ↑ Mendoza, N. F. (October 22, 1995). "WITH AN EYE ON . . . : More about Christopher Rich, the blond thorn in Murphy Brown's side". Los Angeles Times.
- ↑ Otterson, Joe (January 24, 2025). "'Happy's Place' Casts 'Reba' Alum Christopher Rich, 'One Day at a Time' Star Justina Machado in Guest Roles". Variety.
- ↑ Stein, Michelle (February 19, 2025). "'Reba' Actor Christopher Rich Gives Health Update After Stroke and Brain Injury". Parade. Retrieved August 10, 2025.