I adore having the opportunity to interact with and highlight couples who have found their own “happily-ever-after.” In the case of Courtney Richter, I have only ever known her as a deliriously contented wife and a completely fulfilled mother, not to mention a crackerjack actress who often plays “the best friend” or the “other woman.” Due to her tireless social media promotion, it was recently brought to my attention that her husband, Jacob Richter, is also one superb actor as well. When I approached her for a follow-up interview, she suggested a joint interview with her remarkable husband, and I eagerly agreed.

Photo Credit: Farrah Aviva

RH: Courtney, it’s so nice to chat with you again. It’s been a couple of years.

CR: Yes, it has, Ruth. Thanks for reaching out and all your support.

And Jacob, it’s nice to “meet” you. I had no idea you were an actor too. I just knew that Courtney was married and had a daughter. It was Courtney’s promotion of your work that alerted me.

JR: Thank you, Ruth, for agreeing to interview me too. And yes, she has been great at promoting me and all my work.

So I know Courtney’s story of how she became an actor, but Jacob, could you give us some background on you and how you got started in acting?

JR:  Sure. I was actually doing an English Literature degree at university, and some friends in the program asked if I would be a part of the play they had just written. I agreed, even though I hadn’t done it before, and I just loved it right away. It was the closest to what I experience when I perform live music–just being excited and feeling alive. Both disciplines felt similar to me, and I realized at that point that acting was something I definitely wanted to do. I decided to pursue this seriously and go beyond just being a total amateur. I wanted to learn how to be better and to understand how to do this craft.

Every year at the university, I casually performed these plays with this small group, but after university, I decided that if I was really interested in acting, I should try a theater program for the summer. So I immersed myself in a program for the whole summer. After that, I knew I was really passionate about this, and I decided to stay on and do an actual two-year conservatory program. I knew that it was also time for me to get busy working since I was out of school. So I began trying to find jobs and roles that were stimulating and felt as fulfilling to me as some of the stuff in school.

Actually, Courtney and I met in an acting class.

Oh, I didn’t realize that. That’s cool! I did look up some of your credits, Jacob, and I’ve seen some of them, but I don’t place your character off the top of my head. I am way behind on Six, and I know that is your current “big” thing. 

JR: Oh yeah? I won’t give anything away.

But I did see you in the film, Where’s My Baby? I just can’t recall your role.

CR: He was the TV newscaster.

Oh, I remember now! Okay! And, Jacob, you were also in Supernatural. Actually, you both have been in that show, but different seasons. 

JR:  Yes, that’s right. And I also am known for a villain character I played in Legends of Tomorrow. I did a couple episodes of that; it was really cool.

Legends of Tomorrow

According to what I see here, it was two different seasons. Is that correct?

JR: Yes, it was in two different seasons. Because they are always time traveling, they can always bring someone back. If they want to go back to a certain time era and my character is still alive, they can ask me back to play that role. So in this case, one episode, I was the “Younger Glasses,” and then the next time, I had caught up in age a bit, so I played “Glasses.” I think my original spot was in the 1950’s and the next time, we had bumped ahead to the 1980’s.

CR: It was funny. They put a lot of gray into his hair.

I think these guest spots are so great, and you never know what might happen with them. And as long as you don’t get killed off, there’s always a chance you can come back. Unless it’s Supernatural. That’s one show where even if you’re dead, they can bring you back. 

JR:  Right, there are no rules there.

So along with Legends of Tomorrow, you also have been in the show Six. I think the second season just ended, but it’s sad that Six was not renewed. 

JR: I think that’s too bad. I really thought the show was gaining some momentum along with my character.

I was disappointed too. I know they moved to Vancouver for the second season, and a lot of my friends were being featured in the show. I chatted with Brianne Davis during the filming of season two. I had expected it to get renewed.

JR: I know what you mean. It felt like it was going to continue when we were filming it. When we were wrapping the filming for the season, it seemed like everyone was expecting to come back. But these things happen.

True. That’s the nature of the business. At least we know you were on two episodes and people should be able to stream the season. And maybe one of these days, someone will bring it back. 

So, Courtney, I don’t mean to forget about you. You’ve done a few things since we last spoke. I am so disappointed that they did not bring you back to Chesapeake Shores. I really wish they would have. 

CR:  Yes, unfortunately. And it seems like now it’s not in the cards as I understand there may be a new love interest in the picture now. I’m not sure.

But I did see you this past Christmas in Four Christmases and a Wedding for Lifetime. So even though we didn’t see you in a Hallmark Christmas film, we saw you in a Christmas one. That was a nice, cute film. 

CR: Yes, that film was a lot of fun.

I was also disappointed that they did bring you back in Marrying Mr. Darcy. I would have loved to have seen you! Maybe if the series continues, it would be great to see some redemption for your character, Felicity. 

on set with the Marrying Mr. Darcy cast

CR:  I agree. I did go and visit the cast on set. We all became so close during that shoot. My understanding is that Hallmark didn’t want the “villain” back for this one, but hopefully, in the next one, enough time will have past that Felicity will no longer be a threat.

Exactly! I mean they’re married now. You’re certainly not gonna break up their marriage. This is Hallmark.

CR:  Right. And her sister is engaged to my brother, and I think Felicity has had time to grow as a person.

Personally, I think it would be nice to have Felicity back to create a little bit of conflict. Sure, everyone is getting along well, but without some conflict, the storyline might get a little bit boring.

CR:  It would be very interesting to see what Felicity might get up to.

Even though your character was the “villain,” I always liked her. She was so much fun to watch. I hope there is another movie in the series. I know the fans really want another one. 

CR:  It’s great to see the support for the series. The fans are just amazing.

on set Last Scene Alive

I know you also made an appearance in one of the Aurora Teagarden films–Last Scene Alive. 

CR:  Yes, my character wasn’t around very long, but hopefully, she was memorable.

She definitely was. And it was just nice to see you.

CR:  As an actor, it was a really fun role to work on. I got to spend four or five days with that group of people who were just wonderful. It was a great experience.

Well, hopefully, we’ll see you in another Hallmark film very soon. But I know you have other things coming up.

CR:  Well, I am on a couple episodes of Altered Carbon on Netflix. Of course, that is not very Hallmark-friendly.

Altered Carbon

Right, but it is shot beautifully, and for a while, it was very popular. I knew about the show because of all the buzz that was being created prior to its arrival on Netflix. I don’t know if there’s any talk of them doing a season two.

CR:  I haven’t heard anything, but the word is that if they do another season, since it’s an anthology, they would probably use a whole new cast.

I am also in the most recent episode of Take Two, “All About Ava.” That’s a really fun ABC Network show that is shot up here in Vancouver.

Yes, I have been watching and I love the show! It’s really cute. What can you tell us about your role?

Take Two

CR:  Well, it is true that I am playing two different characters, but that’s probably all I can say.

It seems like your character must be pretty significant to the plot.

CR:  Yeah, I think so. I hope everyone tunes in on August 9th. Or if you miss it, you can stream it or watch it on demand.

So what was it like filming that show?

Take Two

CR:  Rachel {Bilson} and Eddie {Cibrian} are fantastic. They have such great chemistry together on and off screen. The relationship between them is so free. They’re just great and get along so well. And I had lots of fun working with them.

Now, Jacob, I didn’t mean to ignore you. I hadn’t forgotten about you. I know you have some things coming up too. 

JR:  Yes, I am in an upcoming miniseries called Valley of the Boom. In this particular series, all of us are playing actual people, so that was cool. A lot of these people are from an era that was just before the internet came along. It’s the 1990’s in Silicon Valley. I play Dan Goodin. It’s actually hard to get usable research online because people weren’t in the habit of posting things about themselves. Actually, one of the toughest things about the project was that it was a challenge to find any usable information in the research of my character. I have most of my scenes with Steve Zahn, and he’s just may be the coolest actor I’ve ever worked with.

It must have been interesting to play an actual person as opposed to a made-up person. 

JR: Yes, that’s the second time I’ve gotten to do that. The miniseries comes out in November on the National Geographic Channel.

That sounds really cool. I love watching things about people who are real people and seeing those stories brought to life. I can kinda remember what it was like back during the 1990’s since I was finishing up high school right around that time. 

JR:  It was really cool and a very fun set to be on. It was such a positive environment, and I think that’s gonna come out in the program.

Photo Credit: Farrah Aviva

So have you both ever worked on anything together?

JR:  Not professionally. We’ve done some scene studies together.

CR:  No, we haven’t actually gotten to film anything together yet.

JR:  We’d actually like to write something together.

And of course, Jacob, you haven’t had the opportunity to be on Hallmark yet. I personally think it would be fun for the two of you to be on a Hallmark project together.

JR:  That would be cool, yeah!

CR:  About once a year, we go out for the same project and we get to audition for that same project. Maybe one day it will come to fruition.

Well, fingers crossed for you both. Hallmark is such a family network and lots of couples do get to work together, so maybe one day, that will happen for both of you. 

CR:  Yeah, we would love it.

JR: We would just have to find a sitter though.

I’m sure that’s always an issue. So, Jacob, you mentioned that you and Courtney would like to write something together?

JR:  Yeah, we always thought we could write a vehicle for ourselves. I think it would be great for us to do it together rather than just sit around and wait for someone else to write it for us because after all, that may never happen.

With Sophie

That sounds like a smart idea. Now since you both have a two-year-old daughter, how have you managed having her and continuing to pursue your careers?

JR:  It can be a challenge at times.

CR:  But we have been very fortunate that generally when one is working, the other is at home. But recently when I was shooting Take Two and Jacob was shooting Valley of the Boom, luckily, our parents came up to watch her.

With Sophie

Well, it sounds like you three are a very happy family, and I think that has made all the difference personally and professionally. And I’ve been supporting Courtney, but now it’s time for me to support Jacob and his work too. I can thank Courtney for alerting me to his work.

CR:  I think I am his number one fan. My favorite actor in addition to being my husband! Even before we were married, I was impressed with how talented he was when I would watch him in class.

JR:  While I am not as active on social media as Courtney is, I am also her number one fan and I am always there to support her works as well.

It really seems like you both are working things out so well. I love the way you both support each other. It’s awesome.

CR:  Oh, and Jacob is also working on another album.

Oh, yeah, I think Jacob mentioned something about music. So are you a singer/songwriter?

JR:  Yes, I sing my own songs. I like to think of myself as a songwriter who sings well enough to perform my own songs.

CR:  He’s a fantastic singer and guitarist. He’s able to do it all, and he’s amazing.

Jacob, have you released any music?

JR:  Yeah, I’ve done some stuff before. I grew up playing music, and I was doing that in high school bands. Once I came out to Vancouver, I wanted to make a new project and start all over again. I found a really cool producer here that I really clicked with. He and I have just started putting stuff together, and he’s done a lot of cool stuff here in Vancouver. So far, we’ve done six songs together. I’m planning to release them one at a time starting as early as this month.

I want to thank you both for spending this time chatting with me. I’m looking forward to everything coming up for you both, and here’s to you both working together on something very soon.

JR:  Thank you, Ruth, it’s really been nice connecting with you. Thank you for your support.

CR:  And thank you, Ruth, I really appreciate you and all the fans supporting my work and now Jacob’s too!

In this day and age, happy couples are essentially becoming an anomaly, and finding a happy couple in the world of entertainment is so rare that one might deem that ideal a mere fairytale. Well, in the case of Courtney and Jacob, there is no doubt in my mind that the love and understanding between them is authentic and admirable, and while I am certain they do not always have a perfect “Hallmark romance,” I daresay it is about as close as one can get in the real world! Additionally, they are both amazing artists in their own right, and every time I witness their continued successes, I am nothing but pleased for them. Every moment of recognition and accolade that they receive is well-deserved due to their intense labor, unwavering dedication, and intrinsic talent. While they are working actors who may never become household names, the fact that they continue making a living while pursuing their dreams is a tribute to their professional and personal success.

I do hope that everyone catches Courtney in Take Two (her episode airs tonight on ABC–August 9th), and be sure to mark your calendars for Jacob’s role in Valley of the Boom this November on the National Geographic Channel. Moreover, I invite everyone to visit both Courtney and Jacob at the links below and consider supporting their efforts in whatever way you are able. I greatly anticipate the project that I am convinced Courtney and Jacob will work on together one day in the not-too-distant future, and I also am thrilled for Jacob’s upcoming music releases (after all, if Courtney says he’s good, that’s good enough for me!). I am grateful for this couple who continues to demonstrate that positivity and joy can exist in a world that sometimes feels increasingly dark, melancholy, and lackluster. I appreciate the incredible legacy they are leaving for their dear daughter, Sadie, as well as the quality entertainment they consistently provide for their fans and viewers!

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