Biography

Richard was born in Jacksonville, Florida. His father born in New York City, a career Marine, his mother born in Roanoke, Va. of Scottish and Cherokee Indian descent. He spent the first 18 years of his life as a Marine Corps Dependent. He spent his days with the nuns in parochial school and his nights and weekends with the Corps. He graduated from Mission Viejo High School in 1969 and attended Occidental College 1969-70. Richard joined the army in 1970. He served 3 years with a tour of duty in Vietnam.

After the Army he moved to Los Angeles to begin his acting career. He studied at the Film Actors Workshop at the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank. His first appearance on TV was the "The Tonight Show" as a Mighty Carson Art Player in 1979. Richard also studied at the Herbert Berghof Studios, New York and the Actors Studio under Eli Wallach in New York.

In 1980 he and 7 Vietnam veteran actors created the play "Tracers", which was the catalysis of his career. Since "Tracers" he has been blessed to work on some great projects, the "War of the Worlds" television series and "Predator" being the most acclaimed. Film roles include "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam", "Cease Fire", "Witness" and "Night Eyes II".

His television roles include guest starring in "Star Trek: Voyager", "Walker, Texas Ranger", "F.B.I. The Untold Stories", "LA Law", "Babylon 5", "MacGyver", "Trials of Rosie O'Neill", "Miami Vice", "Hill St. Blues", "St. Elsewhere", "Eight Is Enough". He was a series regular in "War of the Worlds" and co-starred in "Dallas". He has appeared in the TV movies, "Weapons of Mass Distraction", "LA Takedown", "To Heal a Nation", "Penalty Phase", "Fire On the Mountain", the mini-series "Ari- The Life of Aristotle Onassis" and "The Gambler III".

As well as film and television Richard has achieved accolades in live theatre. In 1980 "Tracers" received the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Ensemble, 1983 Drama-Logue Award for Best Performance in "Vietnam Trilogy" and in 1985 the New York Theatre World Award for Outstanding New Talent in "Tracers". Other appearances include the "Police Officers Wives", "Santos & Santos" and "Pendleton Blanket".

Richard presently lives in the Los Angeles area and continues to write, work and contribute to the creative world.
- IMDb mini biography by: Richard Chaves

Served in the Army and is a Vietnam veteran.

Is one of the original authors of the highly acclaimed Vietnam War stage drama, "Tracers".

Founded RJC Stonewood to create art consisting of wood, stone, color, fire, and water.

Studied acting at both Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California and the Film Actors' Workshop at Burbank Studios.

I had a really low draft number," Chaves recalls, "so I knew I was going to be drafted. I had grown up in the Marine Corps with my dad being an officer, so I didn't have an aversion to the military. I knew what I was getting into and I joined in May 1970, serving in Vietnam with the 196th Infantry Brigade.