Chris Potter (actor)
Christopher Jay "Chris" Potter (born August 23, 1960) is a Canadian actor, musician, and pitchman. He is primarily known for his roles on soap operas and prime-time television. Potter is known for his roles as Peter Caine, the son of Kwai Chang Caine (played by David Carradine) on the 1990s crime drama Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Dr. David Cameron on the first season of Queer as Folk, as the voice of Gambit in the animated X-Men series, and for his recurring role as con-artist Evan Owen on The Young and the Restless. He plays Tim Fleming on the drama Heartland.
Chris Potter | |
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![]() Potter at the 2015 CBC Con | |
Born | Christopher Jay Potter August 23, 1960 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Nationality | Canadian |
Occupation | Actor, musician, pitchman |
Years active | 1988–present |
Spouse(s) | Karen Potter (1985 - present) (4 children) |
Early life
The oldest of three children, Potter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Ron Potter, an ex- pro-football player and insurance salesman, and Judith Potter, a singer. Potter was raised in London, Ontario, Canada. He had an early interest in sports such as hockey, baseball, and football, as well as in community theater.
Successful in sports throughout his high school years (attended Oakridge Secondary School in London, Ontario), Chris wanted a professional career as an athlete; however, his father would not permit it. He later quit college to start a career as a rock musician. He discovered a love for the theater and became a professional stage actor. He also worked on an oil rig in Northern Canada, sold cars, and later became an insurance salesman. He left the insurance company to start his career on TV, as an actor and a pitchman.
Career
After being a spokesman on many commercials in the 1980s, and his role in Material World, he finally made his mark in TV playing David Carradine's son and crime-fighting partner, Det. Peter Caine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, after receiving a contract with Warner Bros. in 1992, and remained close friends with Carradine until his death in 2009.[1] His first role, in 1993, was a hit in both Canada and United States. He also appeared on Silk Stalkings and provided the voice of Gambit for at least the first four seasons of the X-Men animated series.[2]
Aside from acting, Potter is also a singer and songwriter. He recorded the CD Tourmaline, for which he wrote all the songs. He also plays guitar, drums, and piano.
Potter was featured in Rocket's Red Glare (2000). He appeared on the first season as Dr. David Cameron on Queer as Folk opposite Hal Sparks, and he starred in a mini-series A Wrinkle in Time (2003) for ABC. He also co-starred with Joely Fisher in Zoe Busiek: Wild Card from 2003 to 2005. Potter also appeared in Spymate (2006).
The following year, he landed another role opposite Amber Marshall in the CBC Television series Heartland playing the role of Tim Fleming.[1] Also in 2007, Potter joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in a recurring role as Evan Owen, playing opposite Judith Chapman, with whom he had previously appeared on an episode of Silk Stalkings; Potter remained on The Young and the Restless until being written out in early 2008.[3]
From 2008-2014 Potter was in a series of TV movies featuring The Good Witch, portraying Jake Russell. On three of the films, The Good Witch's Charm, The Good Witch's Destiny and The Good Witch's Wonder, he was co-executive producer. His co-star Catherine Disher had previously worked with him, on the X-Men and two episodes of KF:TLC.[4] Potter was unable to continue the role on the Good Witch television series because of scheduling conflicts with his work on Heartland.[5]
Personal life
His wife's name is Karen, and they have four children: Jesse, Quinn, Claire, and Gray.[4]
Filmography
Films
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2000 | Spiders | Hero | |
2000 | Rocket's Red Glare | Tom Young | |
2001 | The Shrink Is In | Jonathon | |
2001 | Arachnid | Lev Valentine | |
2004 | Right Hook: A Tall Tail | Fisherman | Short film |
2005 | The Pacifier | Captain Bill Fawcett | |
2006 | Spymate | Mike Muggins | |
2011 | A Warrior's Heart | Seamus "Sully" Sullivan | |
2013 | The Hunt | Bart | Short film |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1993-1997 | Kung Fu: The Legend Continues | Peter Caine | Main cast 88 episodes |
1995 | Spider-Man | Remy LeBeau / Gambit (voice) | 2 episodes |
1996 | The Nightmare Stepbrother | Adrian Williams | Television movie |
1996-2000 | Legends of Achilles | Achilles (voice) | Lead role 96 episodes |
1996-1999 | Silk Stalkings | Detective Sergeant Tom Ryan | Main cast 66 episodes |
2000 | Will & Grace | Michael | Episode: "Hey La, Hey La, My Ex-Boyfriend's Back" |
- Angels in the Snow (2015)...Charles Montgomery
- The Good Witch's Wonder (2014)...Jake Russell
- The Good Witch's Destiny (2013)...Jake Russell
- The Good Witch's Charm (2012)...Jake Russell
- The Good Witch's Family (2011)... Jake Russell
- The Good Witch's Gift (2010)...Jake Russell
- The Good Witch's Garden (2009)...Jake Russell
- The Perfect Assistant (2008)...David Westcott
- The Good Witch (2008)...Jake Russell
- She Drives Me Crazy (2007)...Hank Meacham
- Superstorm (2007)...Dan Abrams
- Thrill of the Kill (2006)...Graydon Jennings
- Trump Unauthorized (2005)...Fred Trump Jr., adult
- Sex Traffic (2004)...Tom Harlsburgh
- Right Hook: A Tall Tail (Short) (2004)...Fisherman
- Rush of Fear (2003)...Sam Bryant
- A Wrinkle in Time (2003)...Dr Jack Murry
- Open House (2003)...David Morrow
- Final Jeopardy (2001)...Jed Seigel
- The Waiting Game (1998)...Adrian Seville
Director
- Heartland
- episode #45: "The Happy List" - January 31, 2010
- episode #64: "The River" - February 27, 2011
- episode #65: "Never Surrender" - March 6, 2011
- episode #98: "Waiting For Tomorrow" - February 10, 2013
- episode #110: "Best Man" - November 17, 2013
- episode #111: "Hotshot" - December 1, 2013
- episode #128: "Walk a Mile" - November 9, 2014
- episode #129: "The Family Tree" - November 23, 2014
- episode #144: "Back in the Saddle" - November 1, 2015
- episode #145: "Over and Out" - November 8, 2015
- episode #164: "Riding Shotgun" - November 13, 2016
- episode #165: "Here and Now" - November 20, 2016
- episode #182: "Our Sons and Daughters" - November 12, 2017
- episode #183: "Truth Be Told" - November 19, 2017
- episode #194: "Dare to Dream" - January 6, 2019
- episode #195: "Hearts Run Free" - January 13, 2019
- episode #200: "Running Scared" - March 3, 2019
- episode #211: "The Art of Trust" - November 3, 2019
- episode #212: "Legacy" - November 10, 2019
- Silk Stalkings
- episode #168: "It's The Great Pumpkin, Harry" - January 24, 1999
- episode #160: "Hidden Agenda" - August 30, 1998
- episode #154: "Genius" - April 19, 1998
Writer
- Heartland
- episode #80: "Aftermath" - February 12, 2012
- episode #81: "Working On A Dream" - February 26, 2012
Television
- Heartland (2007–present)...Tim Fleming (Main)
- The Young and the Restless (2007)...Evan Owen (Regular)
- Runaway (2006)...Bob Sullivan (Minor)
- Wild Card aka Zoe Busiek: Wild Card (2003–2005)...Dan Lennox (Main)
- Astronauts (2002)...Sam Ryan
- Queer as Folk (2000)...Dr. David Cameron (Season 1)
- The Big House (Pilot) aka Being Brewster (2001)...Jack Brewster
- Silk Stalkings (1996–1999)...Sgt. Tom Ryan (Main Season 6-8)
- X-Men (1992–1996)...Remy LeBeau / Gambit (voice) (Main)
- Material World (1990–1992)...Tim Lyons (Season 1-3)
Guest appearances
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (ep. #7.15 "Manipulated") February 7, 2006
- One Tree Hill (ep. #2.19 "I'm Wide Awake, It's Morning") May 3, 2005
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (ep. #5.25 "Head") May 18, 2004
- Andromeda (ep. #3.14 "The Right Horse") February 17, 2003
- Touched by an Angel (ep. #8.10 "Angels Anonymous") December 15, 2001
- Will & Grace (ep. #2.16 "Hey La, Hey La, My Ex-Boyfriend's Back") March 7, 2000
- The Outer Limits (ep. #5.19 "Stranded") July 30, 1999
- Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years (ep. #1.7 "Providence") November 23, 1995
- Spider-Man (ep. #2.5 "Neogenic Nightmare Chapter 5: Mutants' Revenge") October 7, 1995 (voice)
- Spider-Man (ep. #2.4 "Neogenic Nightmare Chapter 4: The Mutant Agenda") September 30, 1995 (voice)
- Counterstrike (ep. #2.15 "The Three Tramps") January 11, 1992
- Top Cops (ep. "Betty Jane Hendricks and Wally Crabtree") 1992
- Top Cops (ep. "William Freeman") 1992
- The Hidden Room (ep. #1.7 "Let Death Do Us Part") December 7, 1991
- Top Cops (ep. "Dave Driscoll and Robert Cea") 1991
- Top Cops (ep. "Mike Eubanks and Robert Kurowski") 1991
- Top Cops (ep. "Rocky Bridges") 1990
- Top Cops (ep. "Snidersich") 1990
- Katts and Dog (ep. #2.22 "Fatal Obsession") 1989
- Street Legal (ep. #4.8 "Confession") December 1, 1989
- Knightwatch (ep. #1.9 "Cops: Part 2) January 19, 1989
- War of the Worlds (ep. #1.3 "The Walls of Jericho") October 10, 1988
References
- "Chris Potter : Canadian TV's Busiest Actor". jamesbawden.blogspot.ca. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- "Saturday Morning Rewind: Cartoon Podcast". saturdaymorningrewind.podbean.com. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- "Spotlight on Y&R's Chris Potter". soapoperadigest.com. May 16, 2007. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- "Chris Potter Actor | Magazine Interview with Chris Potter". yourteenmag.com. October 25, 2012. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
- "Why did Good Witch; kill off Jake? Catherine Bell explains". zap2it.com. March 7, 2015. Retrieved October 4, 2016.
External links
- Chris Potter on IMDb