Richard Burgi


Richard William Burgi is an American film and television actor best known for the roles of Det. Jim Ellison on The Sentinel and as Karl Mayer on Desperate Housewives.

Early life

Burgi was born in the suburbs of New York City in Montclair, New Jersey. His family was involved in community theatre. His brother, Chuck Burgi, is a well-known rock drummer who has most recently toured with Billy Joel. After high school, Burgi travelled through the US and Europe, taking odd jobs.

Career

Burgi began his career in New York, which led to regular roles on the Manhattan-based daytime soap operas One Life to Live, Another World and As the World Turns. After moving to Los Angeles, he appeared on another soap opera, Days of Our Lives. He made a number of guest appearances on episodic television shows, and was also cast in Chameleons, a TV movie, in 1989. He had a role on Viper, and landed his first lead role in the 1994 television series One West Waikiki.
Burgi was cast as the lead in the series The Sentinel. The show ran for three seasons; its cancellation left key plot issues unresolved, which led to a successful fan campaign for additional episodes to end the story. Burgi went on to roles on The District, 24 and Judging Amy as well as bit parts in other television series and films, including Matlock. In the 1998 made-for-TV remake of the movie I Married a Monster, Burgi starred as Nick Farrell.
One of Burgi's most notable roles was on Desperate Housewives as Karl Mayer, the ex-husband of Susan Mayer and father to Julie. Burgi appeared as Karl for several seasons. He also starred in the big-screen thriller Cellular in 2004 as well as a remake of Fun with Dick and Jane and chick flick In Her Shoes as Toni Collette's love interest in 2005. In 2007, Burgi was cast in the horror film '. In 2009, he played the police officer in Friday the 13th and a stylish doctor in Nip/Tuck.
Burgi guest-starred as Thomas Wellington in CBS's Harper's Island.
In 2010, Burgi guest-starred in an episode of '. In 2011, Burgi guest-starred on TV Land's Hot in Cleveland. In 2011, it was announced that he would play Karl Parker in My Family USA, which premiered on September 26, 2011. In 2011, Burgi landed a new recurring role as CIA hitman Clyde Decker, who is part of a government conspiracy targeting the title character in Chuck. In 2011, Burgi appeared in season 9 of One Tree Hill as Brooke Davis's father. In 2012, he starred in cult classic "Christmas Twister" as TV Reporter 1, in which his character was killed trying to parry away a low flying shipping container. In 2013, Burgi guest-starred on Lifetime's Devious Maids as a brother, uncle, and love interest, Henri.

Personal life

Burgi married Lori Kahn on November 25, 1995. They have two sons, Jack and Samuel. Jack was born December 8, 1996, and Samuel was born August 15, 2000. Burgi married Liliana Lopez in February 2012.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotesRefs-
2004DecoysDetective Francis KirkScience fiction and horror film-
2004CellularCraig Martin-
2005In Her ShoesJim Danvers-
2007'ToddSequel to the 2005 horror film Hostel-
2009Friday the 13thOfficer BrackeA reboot of the Friday the 13th film series-
2011Super EruptionCharlie--
2013The Green InfernoCharlesReleased on September 25, 2015-
2014Fatal InstinctMichael Decker-
2016No Letting GoHenry
1986–88Another WorldChad RolloMain role-
1991The FlashCurtis BohannanEpisode: "Deadly Nightshade" -
1992–93Days of Our LivesPhilip CollierMain role-
1994–96One West WaikikiLieutenant Mack WolfeMain role-
1994SeinfeldBen PfefferEpisode: "The Hamptons" -
1996–99The SentinelJim EllisonMain role-
1999ActionCole RicardiEpisodes: "Gross Player", "Blowhard" -
2000–03The DistrictCaptain Vincent HunterRecurring roles-
2001Twice in a LifetimeJimmy O'Connor / Ray TamborEpisode: "The Knockout" -
2001–0224Alan Yorke/Kevin CarrollRecurring role-
2002–03Judging AmyMichael CassidyRecurring role-
2002FireflyLieutenant WomackEpisode: "The Message" -
2002'Rick WestonEpisode: "High and Low" -
2004'Capt. V.J. DaxTelevision film-
2004–12Desperate HousewivesKarl Mayer-
2007Las VegasVince PetersonRecurring role-
2007SharkDr. Neil FullerEpisode: "Eye Of The Beholder" -
2007Big ShotsGavin CarterEpisode: "The Way We Weren't" -
2008ReaperMike VoltaEpisode: "The Leak" -
2009Knight RiderJack HurstEpisode: "Knight To King's Pawn" -
2009Nip/TuckDr. Logan TaperEpisode: "Allegra Caldarello" -
2009Harper's IslandThomas WellingtonRecurring role-
2010'Richard MorganEpisode: "Confidential" -
2010NCISRandall HammondEpisode: "Patriot Down" -
2010Lie to meGovernor BrooksEpisode: "Bullet Bump" -
2011Breakout KingsAndre BrennanEpisode: "One For The Money" -
2011Hot in ClevelandTimothyEpisode: "Unseparated at Birthdates" -
2011The GladesDr. William GrantEpisode: "Addicted To Love" -
2011CastleCharlie TurnerEpisode: "Heartbreak Hotel" -
2011ChuckClyde DeckerEpisodes: "Chuck Versus the Zoom", "Chuck Versus the Business Trip", "Chuck Versus the Hack Off" -
2012One Tree HillTed DavisRecurring role-
2012Randall StaffordEpisode: "Law & Disorder" -
2012Burn NoticeMorrisEpisode: "Reunion" -
2012Blue BloodsCouncilman Tommy ManciniEpisode: "Domestic Disturbance" -
2013Body of ProofD.A. Dan RussellRecurring role-
2013Devious MaidsHenriEpisode: "Making Your Bed" -
2013KirstieTony CameronEpisode: "Arlo Moves In" -
2014Hawaii Five-0Curtis NovakEpisode: "O ka Pili 'Ohana ka 'Oi" -
2015–2016General HospitalPaul HornsbyRecurring role-
2016Rush Hour''Todd TaymorEpisode: "O Hostage! My Hostage!" -

;Notes
  1. Season 2
  2. Seasons 1, 5 & 6
  3. Seasons 3, 4 & 8
  4. Season 9