Biography

Chris Richards is a film, television, and theatre actor known for grounded, character-driven performances across drama and comedy. A graduate of Kent State University’s School of Theatre and Dance, he began his career on stage, performing with companies such as the Tony-Award-Winning Cleveland Play House, Great Lakes Theater, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Playhouse on Park, and the Festival Stage of Winston-Salem, as well as Off-Broadway with The Pearl Theatre. Of his theatre work, The New York Times critic David DeWitt wrote, "I would not have wanted to miss a bit of what Mr. Richards -- live in person -- offered me onstage" while Cleveland Scene magazine described him as having "comedic grace that borders on the balletic. Watching this intensely likable young actor in action almost seems compensation for missing the emerging Tom Hanks at the Great Lakes Shakespeare Festival in the 1970s."

Richards’ screen work includes Bull [CBS], Ghost Punchers [Amazon Prime, ‘Top 10 Fantasy Movies’ in 2026], and award-winning independent films such as Pandemic Trilogy [Cannes Film Awards Finalist] and Spray Away [‘Best Comedy’ at Myrtle Beach International Film Festival and ‘Best Male Performance (Comedy)’ at Bridgeport Film Fest]. He makes a significant impression with audiences as viewers frequently single out Richards’ performances. As critiqued on IMDb: "One thing stands out above all: Chris Richards. He's the kind of presence that elevates everyone around him, and by the end, you're left wishing for a spin-off-or at least an extended director's cut that gives him more screen time" and "he completely owns every moment. His calm intensity and effortless charisma give the movie a gravitas it sometimes lacks elsewhere." In terms of notable scene partners, Richards has acted opposite Chris Coy, Kelen Coleman, Steve Vinovich, and James Madio; Emmy winners Maile Flanagan and Vincent Irizarry; and Tom Holland in the Russo Brothers’ film Cherry.

His work has caught the attention of established television and film creators, signaling a growing presence in the industry. Directors frequently cite him as the actor who allows them to stop looking. His ability to immediately anchor a role and elevate the material make him a trusted presence on set and a consistent choice in casting searches, delivering performances defined by vulnerability, authenticity, and specificity. Whether on stage or screen, Richards is drawn toward stories and characters that explore identity, transformation, and the tension between who we are and who we’re becoming.

Richards splits his time as a tri-coastal actor between the shores of Lake Erie (Cleveland) and LA & NYC. He speaks fluent German and is also in pursuit of his dual Italian Citizenship. He is a ranked FFA Master at the classic board game RISK and is a self-described Microsoft Excel enthusiast who hopes to compete in The Microsoft Excel World Championship (MEWC) one day. Another goal of his is to become a certified sommelier.
- IMDb mini biography by: Patty Stevens

He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Kent State as an Honors College Scholar with a degree in Musical Theatre Performance.

A colleague once described his actor-type as "Seth MacFarlane looks with John Krasinski charm".

The son of a physicist, he seriously considered going into science if not into the arts. Has a huge interest in science to this day.

Chris' first professional acting gig outside of undergrad involved performing for Tom Hanks.