Rif Hutton (November 28, 1963 – April 18, 2026) was an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Dr. Ron Welch in the comedy-drama series Doogie Howser, M.D., appearing in that series from 1990 up to its conclusion in 1993. From 1997 to 2001, he appeared in a recurring role as Lt. Cmdr. Alan Mattoni on the series JAG. Hutton is also notable for playing Russ Beeler, a fictional owner of a KFC establishment, appearing in a number of KFC commercials in the early to mid 1990s.
Early life and career Hutton was born in San Antonio, Texas, and was raised in East Orange, New Jersey. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s to pursue an acting career. He went to many auditions in his early years, but soon found himself broke and homeless, getting assistance from friends.
He went on to guest star in a number of notable television series including The Jeffersons, Night Court, L.A. Law, Married... with Children, Hunter, Wings, Murphy Brown, The Larry Sanders Show, Getting By, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Family Matters, and Cold Case among others.
Hutton also appeared in stage productions in the Los Angeles area as well as working as a voice actor.
Personal life and death Hutton was married twice. His first marriage was to a woman named Pat, an actress and stand-up comedian. His second was to actress Bridget Hoffman in 2001.Rif Hutton Biography, Film Reference
It is also reported in 2000 that he was engaged to actress Telma Hopkins. In 1993–94, Hutton had played Hopkins' love interest in a few episodes of her sitcom Getting By.
Hutton died from brain cancer at his home in Pasadena, California, on April 18, 2026, at the age of 63.
Filmography Film Wavelength (1983) – Air Force officer Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) – Agent You Talkin' to Me? (1987) – Black Man Moving (1988) – Reporter Stand and Deliver (1988) – Pearson L.A. Heat (1989) – Det. Royster The Borrower (1991) – Newscaster Going Under (1991) – Dr. Friendly Star Trek Generations (1994) – Klingon Guard Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter (1995) – Jess Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) – Arnold Restraining Order (1999) – Sidney Evans The Thirteenth Floor (1999) – Joe Shrek (2001) – Lord Farquaad's Guards (voice) Osmosis Jones (2001) – Charlie (voice) Gas (2004) – Brad Shark Tale (2004) – Fish (voice) Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) – Crewman #1 (voice) Madagascar (2005) – Crowd Member (voice) Stick It (2006) – Drill Sergeant Curious George (2006) – Mailman (voice) The Tale of Despereaux (2008) – Man in crowd (voice) My Apocalypse (2008) – Housing Inspector Astro Boy (2009) – Metro City Sergeant (voice) The Princess and the Frog (2009) – DJ (voice) Rio (2011) – Additional Voices (voice) Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Additional Voices (voice) ParaNorman (2012) – Blithe Hollow Townperson (voice) Epic (2013) – Additional Voices (voice) Rio 2 (2014) – Additional Voices (voice) Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) – Additional Voices (voice) Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016) – High Official #2 (voice) The Star (2017) – Additional Voices (voice) Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Additional Voices (voice) Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) – Additional Voices (voice) The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) – Additional Voices (voice) Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) – Additional Voices (voice)
Television The Jeffersons (1985) – Roulette Spinner 227 (1987) – Man #1 Webster (1989) – Bob A Different World (1989) – Security #2 Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993) – Dr. Ron Welch Married, with Children (1990) – Bailiff Wings (1991) – T.V. Anchorman Sister, Sister (1994) – PTA President Fudge (1995) – Mr. Green General Hospital (1995) – David Ward Home Improvement (1995) – Man at Arena The Wayans Bros. (1995–1999) – Ted Winters / Agent Doug Steckler Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1996) – Agent Rawlings The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) – Vray Beaujay Family Matters (1997) – Reverend Fuller Seinfeld (1998) – Salesman Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2003) – Initiative General House (2005) – Morris Thats So Raven (2005) – Reverend Mattson CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2007) – Vernon Porter Ghost Whisperer (2008) – Bill Eritt The Mentalist (2008) – Doctor Criminal Minds (2016) – Warden Bryan Nabb General Hospital (2021) – Lenny
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