Reba McEntire reveals the SPECIAL TACTIC she uses to get Christopher Rich to return to TV after his stroke

How Reba McEntire Convinced Christopher Rich to Return to TV After His Stroke

The star thought he was out of the acting game for good until Happy’s Place.

As many viewers are well aware, there are many common elements between Happy’s Place and Reba McEntire’s cult classic early-2000s sitcom Reba — like Christopher Rich.

The longtime actor made a guest appearance in a recent episode of Happy’s Place, but it took a lot of convincing on McEntire’s part to get Rich on board with the role. The reason? Rich suffered a debilitating stroke in 2018 and thought he’d never act again.

“I mean, I’ve basically taken the last decade off,” he told ET during a discussion alongside his cast mates. “And if anybody was going to drag me out of the dark corner of the closet, it would be the redhead.”

The stroke left the star without the use of the left side of his body and unable to walk.

Thankfully, the star regained most of his motor functions through extensive rehab and physical therapy. Still, Rich was unsure of returning to the bright lights of Hollywood until McEntire — and her real-life bestie and co-star Melissa Peterman — convinced him that Happy’s Place would be the perfect place for him to get back into the swing of things.

During the interview, he said the show’s team made him feel safe enough to “trot [his] broken body out again.”

Bobbie (Reba McEntire), Gabby (Melissa Peterman), Maverick (Christopher Rich) and Isabella (Belissa Escobedo) on Happy’s Place Season 1 Episode 15. Photo: Casey Durkin/NBC

It was a bet that paid off. Fans loved Rich in his role as tattoo artist Maverick. For someone who spent all six seasons alongside the Queen of Country Music in Reba, it was incredible to see the two friends on-screen together once again.

Rich recalled that McEntire and Peterman were instrumental in his recovery process immediately following his stroke.

“I feel so bizarre recovering from the stroke thing that I didn’t even want to go out of my house for a lot of the time,” he explained. “But, [McEntire and Melissa Peterman] got me back out. They would invite me to parties and reunion things…I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts. Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital… and she was such a great supporter.”

As Rich admitted, it’s been a “long journey” — but all his hard work and perseverance has paid off.

NBC announces Happy’s Place Season 2 renewal

Belissa Escobedo, Reba McEntire, and Melissa Peterman attend the NBCUniversal Summer Press Tour for “Happy’s Place” in Pasadena, Calif. on July 14, 2024. Photo: Todd Williamson/NBC

Fans of the hit comedy — especially the 17-million-plus who tuned in for the Season 1 premiere — are celebrating because Happy’s Place is officially greenlit for another season in 2025-2026!

NBC made the announcement on February 20 — and viewers will be happy to know that the show isn’t the only one returning for another go-round. St. Denis Medical is also returning for Season 2! (We’re keeping track of all the renewals here.)