Quick Facts
Biography
Christopher Rich Wilson (born September 16, 1953, in Dallas, Texas) is an American actor, best known for his roles on Murphy Brown and Reba.
Career
Rich first became popular playing the role of Alexander "Sandy" Cory on the daytime drama Another World from 1981 to 1985. He also starred in the short-lived 1987–1988 series The Charmings as Prince Eric Charming, with Caitlin O'Heaney, Judy Parfitt and Paul Winfield.
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. Rich then appeared in the 1993 film The Joy Luck Club.
During the 90s, 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).
In 2001, Rich joined the cast of Reba playing Brock Hart, the ex-husband of the title character (played by Reba McEntire). Rich stayed in the show until the end of the series in 2007.
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), Ewa Jesionowska, a finalist of Miss Poland 1985, and a former gymnast who participated at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Rich has fraternal twin daughters with Jesionowska, Lily and Daisy Rich, and an adopted daughter with Frangione, Mariel Rich.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981–1985 | Another World | Sandy Cory | |
| 1983 | First Time, TheThe First Time | Stud with Sports Car | |
| 1985 | Recovery Room, TheThe Recovery Room | Dr. Russell Sears | TV movie |
| 1987 | Sweet Surrender | Vaughn Parker | Episode: "Where There's a Will..." |
| 1987–1988 | Charmings, TheThe Charmings | Eric Charming | 19 episodes |
| 1989 | Prisoners of Inertia | Dave | |
| 1989 | Hound Town | Napoleon (voice) | TV movie |
| 1989 | Baywatch | Derrick Benton | Episode: "The Drowning Pool" |
| 1989–1997 | Murphy Brown | Miller Redfield | 22 episodes |
| 1990 | Empty Nest | John | Episode: "Complainin' in the Rain" |
| 1990 | Archie: To Riverdale and Back Again | Archie Andrews | TV movie |
| 1990 | ABC Afterschool Special | Episode: "Testing Dirty" | |
| 1990 | In the Line of Duty: A Cop for the Killing | IA Officer #3 | TV movie |
| 1990 | Married People | Ned | Episode: "To Live and Drive in New York" |
| 1991 | Flight of the Intruder | Lt. Morgan 'Morg' McPherson | |
| 1991 | Babes | Episode: "11 Angry Men and Charlene" | |
| 1991 | In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the Dakotas | Scott Faul | TV movie |
| 1991 | Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw, TheThe Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw | Lute Cantrell | TV movie |
| 1992 | Sibs | 4 episodes | |
| 1993 | Almost Home | Jim Morgan | Episode: "Winner Take Millicent" |
| 1993 | Dream On | Mark | Episode: "A Midsummer Night's Dream On" |
| 1993 | Joy Luck Club, TheThe Joy Luck Club | Rich | |
| 1993 | Adventures of Brisco County, Jr., TheThe Adventures of Brisco County, Jr. | Doc McCoy | Episode: "A.K.A. Kansas" |
| 1994 | Babylon 5 | Crew Member | Episode: "Born to the Purple" |
| 1994–1995 | George Carlin Show, TheThe George Carlin Show | Dr. Neil Beck | 27 episodes |
| 1995 | Nanny, TheThe Nanny | Kurt Jacobs | Episode: "A Fine Friendship" |
| 1995 | Client, TheThe Client | Dan Goodwin | Episode: "The Way Things Never Were" |
| 1996 | Mr. & Mrs. Smith | Mr. Jones | Episode: "The Impossible Mission Episode" |
| 1996 | Renegade | Ted Fisher | Episode: "No Place Like Home" |
| 1996 | The Louie Show | Bob | Episode: "A Brush with Bob" |
| 1996 | Hope and Gloria | Dr. Ben Shipley | Episode: "Tainted Love" |
| 1996 | Nash Bridges | Special Agent David Katz | Episode: "'Till Death Do Us Part" |
| 1997 | Nash Bridges | Special Agent David Katz | Episode: "Lost and Found" |
| 1997 | Critics and Other Freaks | Sandy | |
| 1998 | Alright Already | Lowell | Episode: "Again with the Astronaut" Episode: "Again with the White House" |
| 1998 | Suddenly Susan | Rep. Francis Shafer | Episode: "A Tale of Two Pants: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1998 | The Tony Danza Show | Kyle Wentworth | Episode: "Sue You" |
| 1998 | Nash Bridges | Special Agent David Katz | Episode: "The Tourist" |
| 1999 | The Love Boat: The Next Wave | Matt | Episode: "Divorce, Downbeat and Distemper" |
| 1999 | Sabrina, the Teenage Witch | John | Episode: "Love Means Having to Say You're Sorry" |
| 2000 | ER | Ron Perth | Episode: "Be Patient" |
| 2000 | Going Home | Jack | TV movie |
| 2001 | Lone Gunmen, TheThe Lone Gunmen | Jefferson | Episode: "Three Men and a Smoking Diaper" |
| 2001–2007 | Reba | Brock Hart | 119 episodes |
| 2003 | Seventh Veil | ||
| 2005–2008 | Boston Legal | Attorney Melvin Palmer | 6 episodes |
| 2007 | Wedding Bells, TheThe Wedding Bells | Johnny Kad | Episode: "Fools in Love" |
| 2009 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Coach Jimmy Miller | Episode: "Bloodsport" |
| 2009 | Desperate Housewives | Bruce | Episode: "Crime Doesn't Pay" |
| 2010 | Episode: "We All Deserve to Die" | ||
| 2010–2015 | Melissa & Joey | Russell Burke | 8 episodes |
| 2011 | My Freakin' Family | Gary | TV movie, pre-production |
| 2011 | Shake It Up | Mayor | Episode: "Shake It Up, Up & Away" |
| 2012 | Happily Divorced | Kenneth | Episode: "The Reunion" |
| 2014 | Charlie's Club: Find Him. Bring Him In. | Superior | Episode: "We Need Charlie!" |