Christopher Rich Wilson (born September 16, 1953) 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. 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.
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 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).
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, 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 ( Ewa Halina Jesionowska), a Miss Poland 1985 finalist and former gymnast who participated at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Rich has fraternal twin daughters with Eva, Lily and Daisy Rich, and a daughter with Frangione, Mariel Rich.
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%.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1981The First TimeSports Car Stud1989Prisoners of InertiaDave1991Flight of the IntruderLt. Morgan 'Morg' McPherson1993Rich Schields1997Critics and Other FreaksSandy2014Rawdon's RoofJoe BradleyShort2016Light on SunshineRockyShortCassidy WayDonald2017Anabolic LifeDr. Williams2018The Christmas TrapBob Gentry2021SpikedDr. Matthews2024Bedtime Stories: Tales of Love and HateJoe Bradley2025Deep RiverPops
Television Year Title Role Notes1981–1985Another WorldSandy CoryMain role; 251 episodes1985Dr. Russell SearsTV film1987Sweet SurrenderVaughn ParkerEpisode: "Where There's a Will..."1987–1888Eric CharmingMain role; 21 episodes1988Smart GuysNedEpisode: "Pilot"1989Hound TownNapoleon (voice)TV filmBaywatchDerrick BentonEpisode: "The Drowning Pool"1989–1997Murphy BrownMiller Redfield22 episodes1990Empty NestJohnEpisode: "Complainin' in the Rain"Archie: To Riverdale and Back AgainArchie AndrewsTV filmMarried PeopleNedEpisode: "To Live and Drive in New York"1991In the Line of Duty: Manhunt in the DakotasScott FaulTV filmLute CantrellTV film1992SibsSean4 episodes1993Almost HomeJim MorganEpisode: "Winner Take Millicent"Dream OnMarkEpisode: "A Midsummer Night's Dream On"Doc McCoyEpisode: "A.K.A. Kansas"1994–1995Dr. Neil BeckMain role; 27 episodes1995Kurt JacobsEpisode: "A Fine Friendship"Dan GoodwinEpisode: "The Way Things Never Were"1996RenegadeTed FisherEpisode: "No Place Like Home"Mr. & Mrs. SmithMr. JonesEpisode: "The Impossible Mission Episode"Hope and GloriaDr. Ben ShipleyEpisode: "Tainted Love"BobEpisode: "A Brush with Bob"1996–1998Nash BridgesAgent David Katz3 episodes1997Life... and StuffChuck MetcalfEpisode: "Life... and Fisticuffs"1998Suddenly SusanRep. Francis Shafer2 episodesAlright AlreadyLowell2 episodesGhosts of Fear StreetPJ MurphyTV specialKyle WentworthEpisode: "Sue You"1999Love Boat: The Next WaveMattEpisode: "Divorce, Downbeat and Distemper"Sabrina the Teenage WitchJohnEpisode: "Love Means Having to Say You're Sorry"2000ERRon PerthEpisode: "Be Patient"Going HomeJackTV film2001JeffersonEpisode: "Three Men and a Smoking Diaper"2001–2007RebaBrock HartMain role; 122 episodes2004FatherhoodMr. Tremblay (voice)Episode: "Balancing the Books"2005–2008Boston LegalMelvin Palmer6 episodes2007Johnny KadEpisode: "Fools in Love"2009CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationCoach Jimmy MillerEpisode: "Bloodsport"2009–2010Desperate HousewivesBruce2 episodes2010–2015Melissa & JoeyRussell Burke8 episodes2011Shake It UpMayor BartlettEpisode: "Shake It Up, Up & Away"My Freakin' FamilyGaryTV film2012Happily DivorcedFrankEpisode: "The Reunion"Animal PracticeJack JacksonEpisode: "Turkey Jerky"Rizzoli & IslesDet. Rich GibsonEpisode: "Virtual Love"2013Holiday Road TripRogerTV film2014Swallow Your BlissMartinEpisode: "Pilot"2025Happy's PlaceMaverickEpisode: "Sisters Ink"
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