Rich Sommer
{{Short description|American actor (born 1978)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rich Sommer
| image = Rich Sommer Tribeca 2012.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Sommer in 2012
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1978|02|02}}
| birth_place = Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
| education = {{ubl|Concordia College|Case Western Reserve University (MFA)}}
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 2004–present
| spouse = {{marriage|Virginia Donohoe|2005}}
| children = 2
}}
Rich Sommer (born February 2, 1978){{cite news |author= |date=February 2, 2022 |title=Birthdays |work=The Modesto Bee |page=2A |agency=The Associated Press |quote=Actor Rich Sommer is 44.}} is an American actor, best known for his portrayal of Harry Crane on the AMC drama series Mad Men (2007–2015) for which he earned two Screen Actors Guild Awards along with the ensemble cast. He is also known for his roles in the comedy-drama films The Devil Wears Prada (2006), Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012), The Giant Mechanical Man (2012), Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015), and BlackBerry (2023) as well as voicing Henry in the 2016 video game Firewatch. He guest starred in a number of Elementary episodes. More recently, he portrayed Detective Dean Riley in The CW crime drama television series In the Dark (2019).
Early life and education
Sommer was born in Toledo, Ohio,{{cite web |url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/rich-sommer-vn15405029 |title=Rich Sommer |author= |website=Allmovie |access-date=November 7, 2023 |quote=Born - Feb 2, 1978 in Toledo, Ohio, United States.}} and raised in Stillwater, Minnesota, where he was educated at Oak-Land Junior High School and Stillwater Area High School.{{cite web|url=http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_27984232/mad-men-actor-rich-sommer-comes-home-stillwater|title='Mad Men' actor Rich Sommer comes home for Stillwater benefit|website=TwinCities.com|first=Mary|last=Divine|date=April 24, 2015}} He then went on to attend Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, where he majored in theater and sang in The Concordia Choir.{{cite web|url=https://www.concordiacollege.edu/news-media/detail/saberi-sommer-to-receive-sent-forth-awards/|title=Saberi, Sommer to Receive Sent Forth Awards|website=Concordia College (Moorhead, Minnesota)|date=March 4, 2014}} Sommer studied improvisation at the Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, and started an improv group, the Slush Puppies, in Moorhead.{{cite web|url=http://www.startribune.com/it-s-a-mad-mad-mad-weekend-for-brave-new-workshop/126252288/|title=It's a mad, mad, mad weekend for Brave New Workshop|website=Star Tribune|first=Graydon|last=Royce|date=July 27, 2011}} In 2004, he received his Master of Fine Arts in acting from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.{{cite web|url=http://www.cleveland.com/tv/index.ssf/2008/11/rich_sommer_of_mad_men_puts_hi.html|title=Rich Sommer of 'Mad Men' puts his 'cigarettes' down to help out at Case Western Reserve University / Cleveland Play House graduate program|website=Cleveland.com|first=Julie|last=Washington|date=November 25, 2008}} Sommer returned to the school in 2006 to teach icebreakers to law students, and again in 2008 to do an improv workshop with undergraduate theatre students.
Career
Sommer's most notable film role to date is as Anne Hathaway's friend Doug in the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada. He has appeared in commercials for companies such as Bud Light, Dairy Queen, Nextel, and Sprint.
File:Rich Sommer.jpg in 2009]]
From 2007 until its ending in 2015, Sommer maintained a regular role on AMC's period drama series Mad Men as Harry Crane, a media buyer who becomes head of the television department in a 1960s Madison Avenue ad agency. In 2008, Sommer appeared as a guest star in two episodes of NBC's mockumentary sitcom series The Office, portraying the role of Alex. In 2010, he played Jimmy Wilson in a guest appearance on Ugly Betty.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/article/2010/01/16/ugly-betty-mad-man-rich-sommer|title='Ugly Betty' exclusive: 'Mad' man Rich Sommer woos Betty|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Michael|last=Ausiello|date=January 16, 2010|access-date=March 27, 2012}}
In 2011, Sommer guest starred in two episodes of The CW's drama-thriller series Nikita as electrical engineer and CIA consultant Malcolm Mitchell.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2011/03/16/nikita-casting-rich-sommer-mad-men/|title=Nikita Scoop: Mad Man Infiltrates Division!|website=TVLine|first=Megan|last=Masters|date=March 16, 2011}} The following year, he co-starred with Bob Odenkirk and Jenna Fischer in the romantic comedy film The Giant Mechanical Man.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/three-actors-cast-giant-mechanical-56704|title=Three Actors Cast in 'The Giant Mechanical Man' Romantic Comedy|website=The Hollywood Reporter|first=Jay A|last=Fernandez|date=June 12, 2010}} In May 2012, he began performances of the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Harvey on Broadway, co-starring alongside Jim Parsons.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/mad-men-actor-rich-sommer-harry-s-not-a-douchebag-20120426|title='Mad Men' Actor Rich Sommer: 'Harry's Not a Douchebag'|magazine=Rolling Stone|first=Sarene|last=Leeds|date=April 26, 2012}} Also that same year, he guest starred in NBC's police procedural series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Boyd Hartwell.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/svu-chloe-sevigny-1046116/|title=Exclusive SVU Video: Chloe Sevigny Gets "Sociopathic" as a Self-Destructive Housewife|website=TV Guide|first=Kate|last=Stanhope|date=April 17, 2012}}
On March 1, 2014, it was reported that Sommer had been cast in the CBS pilot Good Session; however, the network later declined to pick up the project to series.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/rich-sommer-cast-in-cbs-pilot-good-session-brian-howe-in-save-the-date-691851/|title=Rich Sommer Cast In CBS Pilot 'Good Session'; Brian Howe In 'Save the Date'|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Nellie|last=Andreeva|date=March 1, 2014}} In November 2014, Sommer reprised his role as Harlan Emple in an episode of CBS's procedural drama series Elementary, after guest starring as the character in an episode the previous year.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/rich-sommer-elementary-mad-men-1085117/|title=Exclusive: Mad Men's Rich Sommer Returning to Elementary|website=TV Guide|first=Natalie|last=Abrams|date=July 31, 2014}} From February 2 to March 13, 2016, Sommer starred in the Off-Broadway revival of Sam Shepard's play Buried Child, with Ed Harris and Amy Madigan.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/mad-men-star-rich-sommer-joins-cast-of-upcoming-off-broadway-revival-of-sam-shepards-buried-child-374042|title="Mad Men" Star Rich Sommer Joins Cast of Upcoming Off-Broadway Revival of Sam Shepard's Buried Child|website=Playbill|first=Olivia|last=Clemet|date=December 3, 2015}} That same year, he also co-starred in Rob Reiner's biopic LBJ as Press Secretary Pierre Salinger, alongside Woody Harrelson in the title role.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/allison-tolman-michaela-watkins-to-the-house-lbj-shoots-and-adds-cast-1201542448/|title=Allison Tolman, Michaela Watkins Join Will Ferrell-Amy Poehler Comedy; LBJ Packs Cast As Production Starts|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Ross A|last=Lincoln|date=September 21, 2015}}
In 2018, Sommer appeared in the horror mystery film Summer of 84, opposite Graham Verchere, Judah Lewis and Tiera Skovbye.{{cite news |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3446344/mad-men-riverdale-stars-head-back-summer-84/ |title="Mad Men" and "Riverdale" Stars Head Back to the 'Summer of '84' |last=Squires |first=John |work=Bloody Disgusting |date=July 12, 2017 |access-date=December 6, 2018}}
Sommer is a fan favorite on the podcast Never Not Funny, hosted by comedian and pioneer Jimmy Pardo. In 2020, he became a recurring guest on the streaming version of The George Lucas Talk Show, appearing as himself and as his own fictional roommate, Steven Charleston.{{Citation|title="The George Lucas Talk Show" Episode XII: The Empire Contracts Covid (TV Episode 2020) - IMDb|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt13247302/reference|access-date=January 12, 2021}}
Personal life
Sommer lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Virginia Donohoe, whom he married on August 13, 2005. They have two children.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304724404577291831380782756|title=A Mad Man on the Loose|website=The Wall Street Journal|first=Christopher John|last=Farley|date=March 19, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://celebritybabies.people.com/2010/09/02/rich-sommer-welcomes-son-patrick-ryan/|title=Rich Sommer Welcomes Son Patrick Ryan|website=People|first=Sarah|last=Michaud|date=September 2, 2010|access-date=March 27, 2012}}
Sommer is a fan of tabletop games and hosted a podcast about them called CARDBOARD!{{cite web|url=https://www.spreaker.com/user/cardboard|title=Cardboard! With Rich Sommer}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2004
| Death 4 Told | Donnie | Segment: "Folklore" |
| 2006
| Doug | |
| 2007
| Pose Down | Fred | |
| 2010
| FBI Agent #2 | |
| 2011
| Mr. Stache | Mr. Stache | Short film |
| rowspan="3"|2012
| Max | |
| The Giant Mechanical Man
| Brian | |
| Fairhaven
| Sam | |
| rowspan="2"|2015
| Robert | |
| My Name Is David
| His GRE Student | |
| 2016
| LBJ | |
| rowspan="2"|2017
| Buddy | |
| A Crooked Somebody
| Michael Vaughn | |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| Wayne Mackey | |
| A Futile and Stupid Gesture
| Harry Crane | |
| 2019
| Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection | Shesthaal (voice) | English dub |
| 2021
| Patrick Dougherty | |
| 2022
| Scare Package II: Rad Chad's Revenge | Rick | Sequel to 2020's Scare Package |
| rowspan="2"|2023
| Paul |
| BlackBerry
| Paul Stannos | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 2007
| Mike Scholl | Episode: "Talking Points" |
| 2007–2015
| Mad Men | 92 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2008
| Will Herring | Episode: "Article 32" |
| The Office
| Alex | Episodes: "Weight Loss", "Customer Survey" |
| rowspan="2"|2009
| Zach Marshall | Episode: "Doped" |
| The Storm
| Dr. Jack Hoffman | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"|2010
| Jimmy Wilson | Episode: "Fire and Nice" |
| Burn Notice
| Winston | Episode: "Friends and Enemies" |
| Vamped Out
| Larry / Jebidiah | Episode: "A New Day" |
| rowspan="3"|2011
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Scott Horan | Episode: "Man Up" |
| Curb Your Enthusiasm
| Veterinarian | Episode: "Vow of Silence" |
| Nikita
| Malcolm Mitchell | 2 episodes |
| 2012
| Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Boyd Hartwell | Episode: "Valentine's Day" |
| 2013–2018
| Harlan Emple | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2014
| Monkey Love | Joe | 2 episodes |
| The League
| Freddie Mandino | Episode: "The Beach House" |
| rowspan="4"|2015
| Young Man (voice) | Episode: "My Fare Lady" |
| Comedy Bang! Bang!
| Agent Bill Ritz | Episode: "Skylar Astin Wears Blue Jeans and Weathered Brown Desert Boots" |
| Wet Hot American Summer: First Day of Camp
| Graham | 6 episodes |
| Playing House
| Brian | Episode: "Sleepless in Pinebrook" |
| 2015–2017
| Various voices | 7 episodes |
| rowspan="6"|2016
| Last Week Tonight with John Oliver | Apple Engineer | Episode: "Encryption" |
| Grey's Anatomy
| Noah | Episode: "At Last" |
| Filthy Preppy Teens
| Melville | Episode: "The Island" |
| Adventure Time
| Grand Prix (voice) | Episode: "Daddy-Daughter Card Wars" |
| TripTank
| Man / Gary (voice) | Episode: "Deuce Ex Machina" |
| Masters of Sex
| Dale Connelly | 2 episodes |
| 2016–2017
| Love | Dustin | 5 episodes |
| 2016–2020
| Captain Daniel Turner (voice) | 9 episodes |
| 2017
| Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later | Graham | 6 episodes |
| 2017–2019
| GLOW | 12 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2018
| (voice) | 3 episodes |
| Champaign ILL
| Zack Chevalier | Episode: "Loop De Loop Fastballs" |
| 2019
| FBI | Dr. Ed Praeger | Episode: "Apex" |
| 2019–2020
| Detective Dean Riley | 26 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2020
| Run | Laurence Richardson | 5 episodes |
| F Is for Family
| Various voices | Episode: "Land Ho!" |
| 2020–2022
| Keith Nash (voice) | 3 episodes |
| 2020–2023
| Himself / Steven Charleston | 4 episodes |
| 2022
| Kevin Hunter | Episode: "Old White Men" |
| 2022–2023
| Minx | Lenny | 3 episodes |
| rowspan="2"|2022–2024
| Captain Dodo / various (voice) | 14 episodes |
| Firebuds
| Mr. Wexell (voice) | 5 episodes |
| 2023
| Episode: "The Beverly Hills Burglary" |
| 2024
| Clipped | Seth Burton | 4 episodes |
| 2024
| Dr. Rich | 5 episodes |
=Theatre=
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2012
| Harvey | Duane Wilson |
| 2013
| The Unavoidable Disappearance of Tom Durnin | Chris Wyatt |
| 2016
| Bradley | Jewel Box Theatre |
=Video games=
| class = "wikitable" |
| Year
!Title !Role |
|---|
| 2011
| John Cunningham |
| 2016
| Henry (voice) |
| 2020
| Larry / Drone / Combine Soldier (voice) |
| 2020
|Aghanim (voice) |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable" |
| Year
! Association ! Category ! Work ! Result |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|2007
| Satellite Awards{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2007/film/awards/satellite-award-winners-announced-1117977840/|title=Satellite Award winners announced|website=Variety|first=Erin|last=Maxwell|date=December 17, 2007}} | Best Cast – Television Series | rowspan="7"|Mad Men | {{won}} |
| rowspan="6"|Screen Actors Guild Awards
| rowspan="6"|Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | {{nom}} |
| 2008
| {{won}} |
| 2009
| {{won}} |
| 2010
| {{nom}} |
| 2012
| {{nom}} |
| 2015
| {{nom}} |
| 2016
| The Game Awards{{cite web|url=http://www.polygon.com/2016/12/1/13784410/the-game-awards-winners|title=The Game Awards: Here's the full winners list|website=Polygon|first=Chelsea|last=Stark|date=December 1, 2016}} | Best Performance | rowspan="2"|Firewatch | {{nom}} |
| 2017
| Great White Way Award for Best Acting in a Game | {{won}} |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|1360860}}
- {{IBDB name}}
- {{iobdb name|42754}}
- {{Twitter}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sommer, Rich}}
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male video game actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:Case Western Reserve University alumni
Category:Male actors from Minnesota
Category:Male actors from Toledo, Ohio