After nearly a decade away from the spotlight, Reba star Christopher Rich has made his long-awaited return to acting—and he says it’s all thanks to Reba McEntire. 

The 71-year-old actor, best known for playing Brock Hart on the hit sitcom Reba, 

recently appeared on McEntire’s new NBC show Happy’s Place on February 21, marking his first major television role since stepping back from Hollywood.

Rich, who suffered a debilitating stroke in 2018, admitted that he hadn’t planned on returning to acting. 

However, the unwavering support of McEntire and fellow Reba alum Melissa Peterman helped change his mind.

“I mean, I’ve basically taken the last decade off,” Rich told Entertainment Tonight. “And if anybody was going to drag me out of the dark corner of the closet, it would be the redhead.”

A Long Road to Recovery

Rich’s acting hiatus was not by choice. In 2018, he suffered a stroke that left him unable to use the left side of his body. The experience was life-altering, and at times, it felt impossible to recover.

“I feel so bizarre recovering from the stroke thing that I didn’t even want to go out of my house for a lot of the time,” Rich explained.

Despite the challenges, he remained determined to regain his mobility. Through intensive physical therapy and rehabilitation, he slowly learned how to walk and talk again.

“It’s been a long journey,” Rich shared with People. “I liken it to sort of climbing a marble facade of a building with your fingernails. You make tiny little bits of progress, but you don’t get up there very high.”

Even as he made progress, returning to the entertainment industry still felt like a daunting task. That’s when McEntire and Peterman stepped in.

Reba McEntire and Melissa Peterman’s Support

Rich credits McEntire and Peterman not only for helping him return to television but also for being there for him during some of his darkest moments.

“They were there from the beginning,” Rich recalled. “I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts. Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital.”

Beyond their hospital visits, McEntire and Peterman continued to lift his spirits by including him in social gatherings.

“[They] got me back out,” he said. “They would invite me to parties and reunion things.”

In addition to their friendship off-screen, the two actresses played a direct role in easing Rich back into the world of acting.

“The writers and producers [of Happy’s Place] made me feel safe enough to trot my broken body out again,” Rich shared.

His guest appearance on Happy’s Place marked a significant milestone in his recovery.

A Special Bond with Reba McEntire

Rich’s connection with McEntire extends beyond just their on-screen chemistry. The two have remained close since their Reba days, and they even share a love for football.

Rich and McEntire, along with McEntire’s boyfriend Rex Linn, have spent countless hours watching games together. Their deep-rooted friendship made stepping onto the set of Happy’s Place feel like coming home.

“I love these two so much,” Rich said of McEntire and Peterman. “It means the world to me.”

Christopher Rich’s Acting Journey

Before his stroke, Rich had a long and successful career in television, with roles in shows like Murphy Brown, Boston Legal, and, of course, Reba. His last major role before taking a step back was in the 2018 holiday film The Christmas Trap. In 2021, he took on a smaller role in Spiked, but his return to television in Happy’s Place marks his biggest acting comeback yet.

Rich played a tattoo artist in his guest appearance on Happy’s Place, and while it remains to be seen if he’ll take on more roles in the future, one thing is clear—his passion for acting is still alive.

Looking Ahead

For Rich, the road back to television has been a challenging one, but with the encouragement of McEntire and Peterman, he has found the confidence to step back into the industry.

While he acknowledges that his journey is far from over, he remains grateful for the support system that helped him along the way.

Thanks to his longtime friends and co-stars, Christopher Rich is once again doing what he loves—proving that even after immense hardship, a comeback is always possible.

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