Biography

The 8th of 12 kids raised by John and Jean Henkels in Salt Lake City, Utah, Rich came by his desire to act honestly, as life itself was "improv" every minute of every day. In grade school and high school, his comfort with a microphone or on a stage was apparent and he was cast as MC of events and lead and supporting roles from 7th grade on. His high school days were highlighted by starring as Li'l Abner in the musical of the same name and the tempestuous Tylbalt in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In college, after playing a supporting role in Eugene O'Niell's "Ah, Wilderness", Henkels veered toward the microphone and a career in broadcast journalism. After 15 years in TV News/Sports, now the father of a young son, he took another turn, one that ultimately would inspire work he would be in front of a camera several decades later. At the age of 55, Henkels turned his back on a lucrative and stable career with his family's business to focus on his original passion, acting. Inspired to model fulfilling and satisfying life choices to his two sons, he plunged into commercial, print, corporate and TV/Film headlong. His 15 years as an award-winning TV Sportscaster/Host make spokesperson and hosting work his bread and butter initially. In an odd twist of fate, it was the networking skills he developed as a corporate sales person for his family business that landed him roles in several films and a new found zest for TV and Film projects became apparent. Most recently, Henkels has committed himself to the production and marketing of Workforce - The Pilot, a project stemming from his creation of Actors' Think Tank, an actors collaboration, an offspring of the pandemic of 2020. Executive Producer and Show Runner, Henkels also plays the lead role in the 47 minute long drama about a man seeking redemption, for himself and hundreds of employees of a downtrodden inner city manufacturing plant in the midst of the recession of 2007-2009.
- IMDb mini biography by: Rich Henkels