William Leonard Christian (born September 30, 1955) is an American stage and television actor. He portrayed Police Chief Derek Frye on the soap opera All My Children from 1990 to 2007, and portrayed TR Coates on Days of Our Lives.
Early life and education Born in Washington, D.C., Christian attended elementary school at St. Francis De Sales where he was first exposed to acting. He then attended Archbishop Carroll High School where he participated in the theater program. Christian attended at the Catholic University of America, where he learned about theatre and earned his bachelor's degree. He then attended at the American University, where earned his master's degree based on drama.
Career Christian moved to New York in the early 1980s, for which he was a member of the Actors Information Project, where he performed in stage productions. He appeared in commercials such as American Express and Burger King, among others. Christian performed in the 1989 Off-Broadway revival of the play The Member of the Wedding, appearing with actress Esther Rolle. Christian guest-starred in television programs including The Cosby Show, ER, Malcolm in the Middle, Spin City, Hand of God (four episodes), Matlock, Desperate Housewives and Monk. In 1990, he was cast in the recurring role of Dr. Marshall Redd on Another World. He then went on to portray the role of Derek Frye on All My Children from 1990 to 2007. For this, he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1991. In 1995, Christian had spoken out at the Youth Forum Against Violence at the Network Club, making a speech to young people in Springfield, Massachusetts. In 1996, he appeared in the Off-Broadway revival of the play The Boys in the Band.
Christian first appeared on Days of Our Lives in 2018, where he portrayed an uncredited role known as "minion". In 2022, he was cast as TR Coates on Days of Our Lives, first appearing in the January 26, 2022, episode. Christian was cast following discussions with co-executive producer Albert Alarr. He presently resides in Boston, Massachusetts with his family, and attributes them for encouraging him to take on the role.
Personal life In 2002, Christian married Gail Samuel. In 2021, Samuel would become the first female president and CEO of Boston Symphony Orchestra. The couple welcomed their first child in the summer of 2005. They have two sons, Samuel and Orlando. Christian currently lives in Boston with his wife and sons.
Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1989 The January Man Tim 2004 Nine Lives Ralph 2009 Three Takes Bradley Short film Contradictions of the Heart Ross Direct-to-video film 2010 The Au Pairs Mr. Dietrich Short film 2019 Words to Live By Larry Short film 2020 Love & Orgasms Charlie Gray
Television Year Title Role Notes 1985 The Cosby Show Mr. Robertson Episode: "Vanessa's New Class" 1988 Tattingers Oscar Episode: "Pilot" 1989 Another World Marshall Reed Recurring role 1990 All My Children Derek Frye Series regular (1990–2005) 1997 Law & Order Shawn Taitt Episode: "Blood" 2001 Detective Regan Episode: "Bronx Cheer" 1999 Spin City Man Episode: "Klumageddon (Part 1)" 2003 Malcolm in the Middle Don Episode: "Daycare" Without a Trace Bernard Episode: "The Bus" 2008 Steve Episode: "Closure" 2008 ER Hayward Episode: "…As the Day She Was Born" Moonlight Ryan Gold Episode: "Click" Prison Break Middleton Episode: "Safe & Sound" Hannah Montana Edward Johnson Episode: "We're All on This Date Together" Desperate Housewives EMT #1 Episode: "Mirror, Mirror" 2009 Monk Brett Episode: "Mr. Monk Makes the Playoffs" 2011 I'm in the Band Pilot Episode: "Weasels in the House" 2017 Hand of God Manny A Neighbor's Deception Dean O'Brien Television film 2018 Days of Our Lives Manny Under-five 2022 TR Coates Series regular 2020 How to Get Away with Murder DOJ Attorney Episode: "Let's Hurt Him" Another Mother Detective Cates Television film The Bay Dr. Marques Abraham Episode: "A Pitched Battle" 2021 Good Girls Store Owner Episode: "The Banker"
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External links
Rotten Tomatoes profile