Richard Charles Roberts (born November 13, 1965) is a Canadian actor. He is known for his work in various films and television.
Early life Roberts was born in Hamilton, Ontario. He grew up in Edmonton, Alberta. He studied acting at the National Theatre School of Canada in Montreal, graduating in 1991.
Career Roberts played Donald D'Arby in the series Traders, for which he was nominated for a Gemini Award. He moved briefly to Los Angeles in 1998 appearing in the CBS series L.A. Doctors alongside Ken Olin and Sheryl Lee. Roberts returned to Canada to star in An American in Canada, which ran for two seasons.
Most recently, Roberts was featured in Michael McGowan's series Between, guest starred opposite Kim Cattrall in Sensitive Skin (TMN/Movie Central), appeared in Zoom (Pedro Morelli), God and Country (Ken Finkleman) and the miniseries The Book of Negroes (CBC).
Other work includes guest starring roles on Saving Hope (CTV/NBC), Copper (BBC America), Cracked (CBC), Republic of Doyle (CBC), Murdoch Mysteries (CBC), Cra$h & Burn (Showcase), Haven (SyFy), ZOS (Whizbang Films), and was featured regularly in the hit CBC series, This is Wonderland.
Roberts played Dennis MacDonald on Family's Life with Derek, and the role of explorer John Rae in the 2008 docudrama Passage. He also played the role of Jim Jones in Jonestown: Paradise Lost which aired on the History Channel and the Discovery Channel. He also played the evil Brooks Oliver in Eloise at Christmastime.
In 2012, he was tapped to play Jack Layton in the CBC biopic Jack, alongside Sook-Yin Lee as Olivia Chow. Jack garnered him a Canadian Screen Award and an ACTRA Award for Best Actor.
He played Matthew in the CBC series This Life.
Theatre A popular fixture on Canadian stages, Roberts headlined the Tarragon Theatre hit Enemy of the People, as well as The Accidental Death of an Anarchist and Waiting for Godot for Soulpepper Theatre Company. Additional theatre credits include the Belfry Theatre's production of Proud, Tuesdays with Morrie, and he made his Stratford Festival debut in the title role of Zastrozzi.
Writing As a writer, Roberts' work Mimi (which he co-wrote with Allan Cole and Melody Johnson) premiered at The Tarragon Theatre and was nominated for a Dora Award. His play Kite premiered to critical acclaim earning numerous Dora Award nominations for writing and production. Other writing credits include Nod (Theatre Gargantua) and Fish/Wife (Tarragon Theatre)
Personal life Roberts is married to Marjorie Campbell; they have two sons.
Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1997 Time to Say Goodbye? Chip Klooster 2001 A Town Without Christmas David Reynolds 2002 Puppets Who Kill Telethon Host 1 episode 2002–2003 An American in Canada Jake Crewe 16 episodes 2003 Fallen Angel Charles Wentworth, Age 30 TV Eloise at Christmastime Brooks Oliver TV Student Seduction Drew Dawson TV 2005–2006 This Is Wonderland Cameron Tiernay 6 episodes2005 Haunting Sarah Edgar Lewis TV Plague City: SARS in Toronto Dr. Jeremy Neville TV Descent Dr. Palmer Drake TV Kevin Hill D. A. Miller 1 episode The Eleventh Hour Ian Bannerman 1 episode More Sex & the Single Mom Steve TV 2005–2011 Carl² Barney Crashman TV2006 Life with Derek Dennis MacDonald 1 episode Shades of Black: The Conrad Black Story Morde TV Angela's Eyes Gene Taylor 7 episodes Man of the Year Hemmings At the Hotel Nervous Affair Man 1 episode Night of Terror Sean Dunne TV 2007 Jonestown: Paradise Lost Jim Jones TV The Note Truman TV Matters of Life and Dating TV The Company3 episodes 2008 Passage John Rae Phantom Punch Father Alios Pontypool Ken Loney voice Murdoch Mysteries Dr. Gilbert Birkins 1 episode2009 ZOS: Zone of Separation 8 episodes Pure Evil Frank TV 2009–2010 Cra$h & Burn Jay Pound 6 episodes2010 The Reception Kent When Love Is Not Enough: The Lois Wilson Story Frank Shaw TV The Night Before the Night Before Christmas Wayne Fox TV The Town Christmas Forgot Charles Benson 2012 Perception Philip Klane TV 2012 Still Mine John 2013 Jack Jack Layton Relax, I'm from the Future Percy Short film2015 Killer Crush Dr. Lucas Emery TV film Between TV Episode 1 2016 Sensitive Skin David 2018 Ghost BFF Mr. Emerson 4 episodes 2018 Designated Survivor General 4 episodes 2019 Coroner Gerald Henry Jones 2 episodes 2019 Such a Small Thing Dove's Dad 2020 Fortunate Son Ted Howard Series regular 2021 Frankie Drake Mysteries Keith Campbell Episode: "Scavenger Hunt" North of Albany (Au nord d'Albany) Paul Far Cry 6 Sean McKay Video Game All My Puny Sorrows Elder 2024 The Light Before the Sun Freddie Short film
Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref 1998 Gemini Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Supporting Role in a Dramatic Series Traders 2003 Best Ensemble Performance in a Comedy Program or Series An American in Canada ACTRA Toronto Awards Outstanding Performance - Male 2004 Dora Awards Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Play Hotel Loopy 2005 Outstanding Performance by a Male Outstanding Performance by a Male Outstanding New Play or Musical Kite 2007 Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Play John and Beatrice 2008 Outstanding Performance by a Male in a Principal Role - Musical Fire 2009 Outstanding New Play or Musical (shared with Brendan Gall, Mike McPhaden & Julie Tepperman) The Gladstone Variations 2010 Outstanding New Musical or Opera (shared with Allen Cole, Melody Johnson) Mimi 2014 Canadian Screen Awards Best Performance in a Guest Role, Dramatic Series Cracked Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series Jack ACTRA Toronto Awards Outstanding Performance - Male
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