Zachary Andrew Knighton[1] (born October 25, 1978[2]) is an American actor, best known for starring as Dave Rose on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings from 2011 to 2013 and as Orville "Rick" Wright in the rebooted version of Magnum P.I. from 2018 to 2024. Other notable roles on television include starring roles on ABC's science fiction series FlashForward and in the FOX sitcoms Life on a Stick and Weird Loners.
Zachary Knighton | |
|---|---|
 Knighton at 2016 Austin Film Festival | |
| Born | Zachary Andrew Knighton October 25, 1978 Alexandria, Virginia, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
| Spouses | Hang Knighton
(m. 2008; div. 2015)Betsy Phillips (m. 2018) |
| Children | 3 |
Life and career
editKnighton was born in Alexandria, Virginia.[3][4] He graduated from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Governor's School for the Arts in 1996. Later, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University.[5]
In 2007, he starred in the horror film remake The Hitcher, with Sophia Bush, playing the role originally performed by C. Thomas Howell. Previously, Knighton played Laz Lackerson on the short-lived television program, Life on a Stick. He starred as Gary on the series Related.
In 2009, he was cast as Bryce Varley in the science fiction series FlashForward, based on the novel by Robert J. Sawyer. Knighton had originally auditioned for the role of Demetri Noh but lost out to John Cho. The show's co-creator David S. Goyer then rewrote the role of Bryce Varley for Knighton.[6] The show was cancelled after one season.
From April 2011 to May 2013, Knighton starred as Dave Rose on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, alongside Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans Jr. and Casey Wilson. Despite critical acclaim and a cult following, the show was cancelled by ABC after concluding its third season on May 3, 2013. BuddyTV ranked him #94 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011"[7] and #100 in "TV's Sexiest Men of 2012".[8]
In 2014, Knighton appeared in a recurring guest arc in the 5th season of the NBC series Parenthood. He also starred on the FOX sitcom Weird Loners.[9]
In 2018, Knighton was cast in the recurring role of Paul on the second season of the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet.[10] In 2018, Knighton was cast in the main role of Rick Wright on the CBS drama series Magnum P.I..[11] The series was canceled after four seasons on CBS, but was picked up by NBC in 2022 with a 20-episode order that debuted in 2023.[12]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Cherry Falls | Mr. Rolly | |
| 2002 | La vie nouvelle | Seymour | |
| 2003 | The Mudge Boy | Travis | |
| 2004 | The Prince & Me | John Morgan | |
| 2007 | The Hitcher | Jim Halsey | |
| 2008 | Surfer, Dude | Billo Murphy | |
| 2010 | Tug | Judd | |
| 2011 | Satellite of Love | Blake | |
| 2013 | The Big Ask | Dave | |
| 2014 | Believe Me | Gabriel | |
| 2014 | Hot | Benny | |
| 2015 | Ashby | Father Ted | |
| 2016 | Come and Find Me | Charlie | |
| 2017 | Big Bear | Colin | |
| 2018 | Little Bitches | Mr. Warner | |
| 2020 | The Pale Door | Duncan | [13] |
Television
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Ed | Stephen | 1 episode |
| 2001 | Law & Order | Paul Wyler | 1 episode |
| 2004 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Lukas Ian Croft | 1 episode |
| 2005 | Life on a Stick | Laz Lackerson | Main role, 13 episodes |
| 2005 | Love, Inc. | Brad | 1 episode |
| 2006 | Related | Gary | 2 episodes |
| 2007 | Supreme Courtships | Clyde | Television movie |
| 2008, 2013 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Random Guy | 2 episodes |
| 2009 | Bones | Chet Newcomb | 1 episode |
| 2009–10 | FlashForward | Dr. Bryce Varley | Main role, 22 episodes |
| 2010 | House | Billy | Episode: "Message Therapy" |
| 2011–13 | Happy Endings | Dave Rose | Main role, 57 episodes |
| 2012 | Happy Endings: Happy Rides | Dave Rose | Web series |
| 2013 | Wilfred | Bill the Mailman | 1 episode |
| 2014 | Parenthood | Evan Knight | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
| 2015 | Weird Loners | Stosh Lewandoski | Main role, 6 episodes |
| 2016 | The Catch | Morgan Foster | 2 episodes |
| 2016 | House of Lies | Max | Episode: "One-Eighty" |
| 2016 | Elementary | Aaron Stone | Episode: "Render, and Then Seize Her" |
| 2017 | Fresh Off the Boat | Doug | Episode: "How to Be an American" |
| 2017 | The Good Fight | Dr. Randolph Picot | Episode: "The Schtup List" |
| 2018–19 | Santa Clarita Diet | Paul | Recurring role, 4 episodes |
| 2018 | LA to Vegas | Bryan | Recurring role, 6 episodes |
| 2018 | StartUp | Tucker Saginaw | 6 episodes |
| 2018–24 | Magnum P.I. | Orville "Rick" Wright | Main role |
| 2020 | Hawaii Five-0 | 2 episodes (crossovers with Magnum P.I.) |
References
edit- ^ "Stoppard's Mysterious, Romantic 'Arcadia' Set For Theatre Virginia". Richmond Times. 1998-02-08. Retrieved 2010-11-07.[dead link]
- ^ Mike Rose, cleveland com (2020-10-25). "Today's famous birthdays list for October 25, 2020 includes celebrities Katy Perry, Craig Robinson". cleveland. Retrieved 2024-01-20.
- ^ "Zachary Knighton". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2024-07-07.
- ^ Vincent, Mal (2007-01-20). "Former Beach boy makes it to big screen in Hitcher". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2010-11-07.
- ^ Topel, Fred (2007-01-15). "Zach Knighton on The Hitcher". CanMag. Archived from the original on January 17, 2007. Retrieved 2007-01-16.
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ Gardner, Jessica (February 23, 2012). "Happy Beginnings and 'Happy Endings' for Zachary Knighton". backstage.com. Retrieved April 27, 2013.
- ^ "TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2011". BuddyTV. 7 December 2011. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ "TV's 100 Sexiest Men of 2012". BuddyTV. Retrieved January 13, 2012.
- ^ Prudom, Laura (February 13, 2015). "WATCH: Meet a 'Weird Loner' for Valentine's Day". Variety. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 16, 2018). "'Santa Clarita Diet': Joel McHale, Maggie Lawson, Gerald McRaney & Zachary Knighton To Guest Star In Season 2". Deadline. Retrieved April 1, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 16, 2018). "'Magnum P.I.': Zachary Knighton To Play Rick In CBS Reboot Pilot". Deadline. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 30, 2022). "'Magnum P.I.' Rescued By NBC With 2-Season, 20-Episode Order". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Wiseman, Andreas (May 29, 2019). "'13 Reasons Why' Star Devin Druid Leads Cast In Horror-Western 'The Pale Door', Shoot Under Way In Oklahoma". Deadline. Retrieved June 27, 2019.