Christopher Rich Says HisRebaFamily Has Been a Constant Source of Support After His Stroke (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Christopher Rich (left) and Melissa Peterman onHappy’s Place.Photo:Casey Durkin/NBC

Casey Durkin/NBC

The final episode of The WB’sRebaaired in 2007, but the cast never stopped feeling like a family, according toChristopher Rich.

Ahead of his guest appearance on hisRebacostarReba McEntire’s new seriesHappy’s Placeon Friday, Feb. 21, Rich, 71, opens up to PEOPLE about how McEntire,Melissa Petermanand the rest of his former castmates have been a constant source of support since he experienced a life-altering stroke in 2018.

The cast ofRebain 2001.Alamy Stock Photo

Alamy Stock Photo

Rich named Peterman, 53 — who also stars onHappy’s Place— as one of his biggest champions over the past eight years.

“Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital,” he shares. “And she was such a great supporter.”

Rich’s stroke has left him unable to use the left side of his body, but through physical therapy and rehab he was able to learn to talk and walk again.

“It’s been a long journey,” he says of the years since his stroke. “You know, I liken it to sort of climbing a marble facade of a building with your fingernails. You make tiny little bits of progress, but you don’t get up there very high.”

From left: Reba McEntire, Melissa Peterman, Christopher Rich and Belissa Escobedo onHappy’s Place.Casey Durkin/NBC

Rich says, “The whole group are old friends of mine and they’ve all wanted to help me bring my career back. So they engineered this part that they thought was perfect and it was so much fun for me to play.”

According to Rich, he’s not the only one who is feeling the good vibes on the set ofHappy’s Place.The Murphy Brownalum noted that the crew includes many of the same people who worked onReba, and they feel the same sense of camaraderie that McEntire and the rest of the cast fostered all those years on the set of the WB sitcom.

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From left: Melissa Peterman, Reba McEntire and Christopher Rich.Casey Durkin/NBC

“Talking to the boys who are on the crew from the [new]Rebashow, they’re saying, ‘It’s just like being back home, Chris,' " he adds. “So, I’m saying that it’s probably still the best set in town to work on.”

Rich also has a piece of advice for his fellow actors in Hollywood: “If you ever get a chance to guest star onHappy’s Place, jump at it.”

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Happy’s Placeairs Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com