Former ‘Reba’ Star Christopher Rich Makes Acting Comeback After Stroke

Chris Rich arrives at SAG-AFTRA Foundation 7th annual L.A. Golf Classic Fundraiser in Burbank, Calif., on June 13, 2016. Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

It’s been years since Christopher Rich graced television screens with his humor after suffering major health complications, and now the former “Reba” star is making his acting comeback.

In an interview with Us Weekly published on Feb. 19, the 71-year-old opened up about his road to recovery and how he chose to face his fears by getting in front of the camera again.

This was after the veteran actor went through extensive rehabilitation following a stroke in 2018 that affected his ability to walk, talk, and use the left side of his body, and was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury.

“After my stroke and having a brain injury, it is like I got hit with an atomic bomb. So it all gets traumatized, and it is a hard reset,” he recalled.

“After I finally got out of the hospital, I was moving around again. Then I threw a bunch of blood clots and ended up in the hospital with lung embolisms and debris on my heart. After surviving all of that crap, I’m feeling really, really good.”

Rich played Reba McEntire’s ex-husband on the hit sitcom “Reba” from 2001 to 2007, and is now reuniting with his former co-stars during his cameo on NBC’s “Happy’s Place.”

He is set to take on the role of a tattoo artist named Maverick, a character who is also recovering from a stroke and was inspired by Rich’s real-life experience.

“It’s great to be able to be a disabled person and play a disabled person. I’m hoping that when some of this gets out there, that people that I’ve worked with in the past are going to say, ‘OK, let’s bring him back. We can work with him,’” he said.

There was a concern about not being able to perform at the same level he did prior to his stroke, but reuniting with his old co-workers and friends eased any initial fears, he said.

“The crew made it feel like the old Reba set because we were having a blast. They had as much fun as I did and that was really heartwarming for me. It felt like I was back home in a safe place,” he said.

“I was really well taken care of. It was a blessing. I want to go back so badly.”

During his time away from the spotlight, Rich took the time to focus on healing and turned to philanthropy work to raise awareness of strokes and traumatic brain injuries.

In a promotional video for the ReGen Clinic of West Texas where he received treatment, Rich reflected on his health progress, adding through everything he has a newfound appreciation for life.

“When you face a major medical issue, it changes your perspective on life,” he said. “When you come through it, you begin to enjoy each day a little bit more even with the pain.”