| Chris Potter | |
|---|---|
| Born | Christopher Jay Potter August 23, 1960 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Actor/Singer |
| Years active | 1988–present |
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, on the popular 1990s crime drama, Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Dr. David Cameron on the first season of Queer as Folk,[1] 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. Currently, he plays Tim Fleming, on the popular drama Heartland.
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The oldest of three children, born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to Ron Potter, an ex- pro-football player, temporary coach of University of Western Ontario Mustangs and insurance salesman and Judith Potter, a beloved singer who gave up her career for her family, Potter was raised in London, Ontario, Canada. Potter 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.
He is married to Karen, and they have four children, Jesse, Quinn, Claire, and Gray.
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/crime-fighting partner, Det. Peter Caine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, after receiving a contract with Warner Bros. in 1992. His first role, in 1993, was a smash hit in both Canada and United States, where he gained popularity after his series' lead. Despite all the drugs/alcohol problems his mentor had battled over the years before being sober, in their on- and off-camera relationship, Carradine & Potter were like the best of friends. When his series was cancelled, early in 1997, Potter had moved on to a new career, making him a first-rate Canadian star. He remained close to Carradine after the show's cancellation, until his passing on June 3, 2009, where Potter paid tribute to his mentor's family on his message boards. He also flew from his native Toronto to Los Angeles, to attend the star's funeral.
Chris also appeared on Silk Stalkings. Aside from acting, he's also an accomplished singer and songwriter. He recorded the CD, Tourmaline, for which he wrote each and every song himself. He's also a guitarist, drummer and pianist every time he currently plays with his band in Toronto.
Potter was featured in Rocket's Red Glare (2000), where he won a New York Award for Best Actor. He appeared on the first season as Dr. David Cameron on Queer as Folk opposite Hal Sparks, and starred in a mini-series A Wrinkle in Time (2003) for ABC. Potter has also completed production on Spymate (2006).
The following year, he landed another role opposite Amber Marshall in the CBC Television series, Heartland, playing the role of Tim Fleming, which made his career more successful. 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 Y&R until being written out in early 2008.