Christopher Rich Returns to TV, Reunites with ‘Reba’ Co-Stars on NBC

LOS ANGELES, CA — Christopher Rich reunites with his former co-stars from the hit sitcom ‘Reba‘ as he makes a guest appearance on NBC’s ‘Happy's Place‘ airing Feb. 21. Rich, 71, reflects on how his ‘Reba’ family provided unwavering support throughout his recovery from a stroke in 2018, marking his return to television after eight years.

Rich, who played Brock Hart on ‘Reba,’ describes the emotional journey he endured following the life-altering stroke. ‘They were there from the beginning,’ he told PEOPLE. ‘I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts.’ His co-star Melissa Peterman, 53, was especially supportive, often visiting him in the hospital with treats.

Despite the challenges he faced, including losing the use of the left side of his body, Rich persevered through physical therapy. ‘It’s been a long journey,’ he shared, likening it to ‘climbing a marble facade of a building with your fingernails.’ Through hard work, he relearned how to talk and walk.

Rich’s fears of returning to acting were alleviated by the encouragement of his co-stars. ‘They said, ‘Listen, you’re not going to have any problems,’ and they were right,’ he recalled. The character he portrays on ‘Happy’s Place’ is a tattoo artist and fellow stroke survivor, aimed at resonating with his own experiences.

‘The whole group are old friends of mine and they’ve all wanted to help me bring my career back,’ Rich explained. His return to the stage was ‘joyous,’ especially with Reba McEntire, 69, and Peterman by his side, whom he affectionately referred to as family. ‘I fall in love with her every time we do a scene,’ he said of Peterman.

Rich’s return to the set fostered a sense of nostalgia for many crew members from ‘Reba.’ ‘Talking to the boys who are on the crew, they’re saying, ‘It’s just like being back home,’ Rich reflected. He added that the camaraderie within the team feels just as strong as it did during their years together on the WB sitcom.

As the season progresses, Rich encourages fellow actors to embrace opportunities on ‘Happy’s Place,’ highlighting the supportive environment crafted by his co-stars and crew. ‘If you ever get a chance to guest star on ‘Happy’s Place,’ jump at it,’ he stated. ‘It’s probably still the best set in town to work on.’

‘Happy’s Place’ airs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, providing fans with a familiar setting infused with camaraderie and heartfelt stories.