Chris Potter (actor)

The oldest of three children, Potter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Ron Potter, an ex- pro-football player and insurance salesman, and Judith Potter, a singer. Potter was raised in London, Ontario. He 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), Potter wanted a career as a professional 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.

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 and crime-fighting partner, Det. Peter Caine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, after receiving a contract with Warner Bros. in 1992, and remained close friends with Carradine until his death in 2009.[1] His first role, in 1993, was a hit in both Canada and United States. He also appeared on Silk Stalkings and provided the voice of Gambit for at least the first four seasons of the X-Men animated series.[2]

Aside from acting, Potter is also a singer and songwriter. He recorded the CD Tourmaline, for which he wrote all the songs. He also plays guitar, drums, and piano.

Potter was featured in Rocket's Red Glare (2000). He appeared on the first season as Dr. David Cameron on Queer as Folk opposite Hal Sparks, and he starred in a mini-series A Wrinkle in Time (2003) for ABC. He also co-starred with Joely Fisher in Zoe Busiek: Wild Card from 2003 to 2005. Potter also appeared in Spymate (2006).

The following year, he landed another role opposite Amber Marshall in the CBC Television series Heartland playing the role of Tim Fleming.[1] 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 The Young and the Restless until being written out in early 2008.[3]

From 2008 to 2014 Potter was in a series of TV movies featuring The Good Witch, portraying Jake Russell. On three of the films, The Good Witch's Charm, The Good Witch's Destiny and The Good Witch's Wonder, he was co-executive producer. One of his co-stars Catherine Disher had previously worked with him, on the X-Men and two episodes of KF:TLC.[4] Potter was unable to continue the role on the Good Witch television series because of scheduling conflicts with his work on Heartland.[5]

Potter is married to Karen, and they have four children: Jesse, Quinn, Claire, and Gray.[4]

• Chris Potter at IMDb