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McEntire Helps Rich Return to Acting
Rich made his triumphant return with a guest role on Happy’s Place, a show that reunited many familiar faces from Reba. Surrounded by old friends and colleagues, Rich found the courage to get back into acting after nearly a decade away.
“I mean, I’ve basically taken the last decade off,” Rich admitted in an interview with Entertainment Tonight. “And if anybody was going to drag me out of the dark corner of the closet, it would be the redhead.”
The familiarity of the set and the support of his former castmates made all the difference. Rich revealed that he had become withdrawn following his stroke, hesitant to even leave his house. But McEntire and actress Melissa Peterman, who played his wife on Reba and also stars in Happy’s Place, refused to let him fade away.
“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,” Rich said. “But, [Reba and Melissa Peterman] got me back out. They would invite me to parties and reunion things.”
Friendship That Goes Beyond the Screen
Rich didn’t just find a way back to his career—he rediscovered the support system that had been with him all along. He described McEntire and Peterman as unwavering in their kindness, going out of their way to help him heal.
“I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts,” Rich shared. “Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital. And she was such a great supporter.”
The impact of their friendship runs deep. Even though Reba ended in 2007, the cast remains as close as ever. Rich described McEntire as “like a sister” and revealed that he’s also close friends with her boyfriend, actor Rex Linn, who is part of Happy’s Place as well.
“Her present boyfriend, Rex Linn, is one of my besties,” Rich said.
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A Reunion That Means Everything
Stepping onto the Happy’s Place set was more than just a job for Rich—it was a homecoming. Surrounded by McEntire, Peterman, and Linn, he felt a sense of belonging that helped him push past his fears and insecurities.
“It’s glorious to me where life has brought us all, to be honest. It’s really fabulous. I’m so happy that she’s happy, and she’s happy that we got to spend time together. And Rex is happy and I’m happy for Rex … it’s just a joyous time,” Rich reflected.
McEntire’s decision to bring Rich onto her new show wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was about giving a dear friend a second chance at the career he loves. And thanks to her unwavering support, Rich is back in action, proving that true friendships can withstand anything—even life’s toughest challenges.
