# Zachary Knighton
**Zachary Knighton** (full name Zachary Andrew Knighton, born 1978 in [Alexandria, Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/alexandria-virginia)) is an American actor, director, and writer best known for playing Dave Rose on the ABC sitcom *Happy Endings* (2011-13) and nightclub owner Orville "Rick" Wright on the *Magnum P.I.* reboot (2018-24).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton) His other series-regular roles include Dr. Bryce Varley in the science fiction drama *FlashForward* (ABC, 2009-10) and the lead in the Fox comedy *Life on a Stick* (2005).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1978, Alexandria, Virginia; birth name Zachary Andrew Knighton[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) |
| Training | BFA in theater, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2000; a semester at The Oxford School of Drama in England during his junior year[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) |
| Screen debut | Supporting role in the PBS TV movie *Sally Hemmings: An American Scandal* (2000)[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) |
| Breakout roles | Dave Rose on *Happy Endings* (ABC, 2011-13); Dr. Bryce Varley on *FlashForward* (ABC, 2009-10)[4](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zachary-knighton/bio/3030276885/) |
| Longest role | Orville "Rick" Wright on *Magnum P.I.* (2018-24), 96 episodes[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton) |
| Directing | Directed *Happy Endings: Happy Rides* (2012), the *Magnum P.I.* episode "Consciousness of Guilt" (December 6, 2023), and an episode of *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2025)[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton) |
| Family | Father of two; his wife, Betsy Phillips, plays Suzy Madison on *Magnum P.I.*[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) |
## Early life and training
Knighton was born in [Northern Virginia](https://www.edgepedia.org/northern-virginia) and moved with his father to Virginia Beach when he was in middle school.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) He began taking performing seriously in high school and was accepted into the Governor's School for the Arts during his senior year at Frank W. Cox [High School](https://www.edgepedia.org/high-school).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) After high school he was in a band and considered moving to New York to play music; a band performance in Richmond led him to visit [Virginia Commonwealth University](https://www.edgepedia.org/virginia-commonwealth-university)'s Department of Theatre, where professors Janet Rodgers and Kenneth Campbell gave him a deadline to apply, and he was accepted that day.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi)
While still in school he landed his first professional job, a supporting role in the PBS TV movie *Sally Hemmings: An American Scandal* (2000), and earned his [Screen Actors Guild](https://www.edgepedia.org/screen-actors-guild) card during college.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/) His senior-year portrayal of Alan Strang in the play *Equus* earned him the Irene Ryan Scholarship award, part of the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival; he performed at the Kennedy Center and signed with a New York agency before leaving Richmond.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) Paramount's press biography describes the same recognition as an Irene Ryan Award nomination.[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton) He graduated from the VCU School of the Arts with a bachelor's degree in theater in 2000, having spent a semester of his junior year at The Oxford School of Drama in England.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi)
## Early career: New York and first series
After graduation, Knighton spent about five years in New York working in theater, including off-Broadway stage credits such as *Birdy*, *Madame Melville*, and *Endgame*, while bartending and taking supporting television roles on *Ed* (NBC, 2000-04) and *Law & Order* (NBC, 1990-2010).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton)
In 2005 he won the lead role in the Fox comedy *Life on a Stick*, about a high school graduate working in a mall food court. The series was canceled before the end of its first season.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) He has said the cancellation "prepared me for the next eight pilot seasons."[5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/) In 2007 he made his debut as a feature film leading man in *The Hitcher*, a remake of the 1986 thriller, playing Jim Halsey opposite [Sophia Bush](https://www.edgepedia.org/sophia-bush).[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton) His film work from this period also includes *The Mudge Boy* (2003), *Surfer, Dude* (2008) opposite [Matthew McConaughey](https://www.edgepedia.org/matthew-mcconaughey) and [Woody Harrelson](https://www.edgepedia.org/woody-harrelson), and *The Prince and Me*.[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton) • [7](https://www.fandango.com/people/zachary-knighton-359924/film-credits)
## FlashForward and Happy Endings
Knighton was cast as a series regular on the ABC science fiction drama *FlashForward* (2009-10) as Dr. Bryce Varley. According to his [TV Guide](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-guide) biography, he originally auditioned for the part of Demetri Noh, played by [John Cho](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-cho), and co-creator David Goyer rewrote the role of Bryce Varley specifically for him after previously failing to cast him in *Blade: Trinity*.[4](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zachary-knighton/bio/3030276885/) • [5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/) The series was canceled after its first season.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) Knighton credited the experience with giving him his first champion among showrunners, saying David Goyer "changed the role so I could play [Dr. Bryce Varley]... It was the first time I had anybody champion me."[5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/)
Even before *FlashForward* ended, he joined the ensemble of the ABC romantic sitcom *Happy Endings* (2011-13) as Dave Rose, a food truck owner left at the altar in the series' opening premise.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [8](https://time.com/6139067/how-i-met-your-father-sitcom-tropes/) He was the last principal cast member to join: he received the script on a Friday, met the creators the next morning, and was at a table read by Monday.[5](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/) The series ran three seasons and became a critical favorite, though Knighton later described it as "saved by Twitter" in its launch and ultimately undone by low ratings.[9](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/04/02/seriously-happy-endings-is-over-zachary-knighton-talks-returning-to-tv-after-starring-in-a-cult-favorite/) In interviews he called his two-year stint as Dave one of his favorite jobs and noted the show's collaborative writers' room, where cast improvisation was welcomed.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) • [10](https://www.avclub.com/happy-endings-zachary-knighton-talks-comedy-and-t-shir-1798230745) In 2020, a decade after the premiere, he rejoined Coupe, Pally, and other castmates for a reunion special.[11](https://www.etonline.com/happy-endings-cast-dish-on-reunion-episodes-surprise-wedding-and-reboot-hopes-exclusive-149964)
Following *Happy Endings*, he starred in the Fox comedy *Weird Loners* (2015) as Stosh, a fired sales rep, and took recurring and guest roles on *Fresh Off the Boat*, *Parenthood*, *Santa Clarita Diet* (Netflix, as Paul opposite [Drew Barrymore](https://www.edgepedia.org/drew-barrymore) and [Timothy Olyphant](https://www.edgepedia.org/timothy-olyphant)), *LA to Vegas*, *The Good Fight*, *Elementary*, *House of Lies*, *Wilfred*, and *Hawaii Five-0*.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton) • [4](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zachary-knighton/bio/3030276885/)
## Magnum P.I. and directing
In 2018 Knighton was cast as a series regular on CBS's *Magnum P.I.* reboot, starring [Jay Hernandez](https://www.edgepedia.org/jay-hernandez) in the role that made [Tom Selleck](https://www.edgepedia.org/tom-selleck) famous. Knighton plays Orville "Rick" Wright, a street-savvy former Marine who runs a nightclub in Oahu.[1](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/) • [3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) He deliberately chose not to imitate [Larry Manetti](https://www.edgepedia.org/larry-manetti)'s Rick in the original 1980-88 series, telling Manetti, "I don't want to do anything he did in the show or make the choices he made."[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi)
**Why he took the role.** After *Happy Endings* was canceled, Knighton spent years on pilots and grew frustrated waiting for pickups. He asked his agent to find an action show shooting in an exotic locale, and a week later the *Magnum P.I.* script arrived.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) A lifelong surfer who learned the sport in Virginia Beach, as well as a sailor and licensed captain and diver, he found the Hawaii shoot a natural fit; he moved his family to Hawaii, where a season of the show took nearly a year to film.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) • [12](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/zachary-knighton-magnum-pi-cbs-interview/)
**Writing and directing.** Knighton received a story credit for the season 4 episode "A New Lease on Death" (November 19, 2021) and made his television directing debut with the season 5 episode "Consciousness of Guilt," broadcast December 6, 2023.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton) • [13](https://www.tvinsider.com/1113168/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-directs-taylor-handley-rick-suzy-ending/) He had long sought the chance, shadowing directors on *Happy Endings* and on *Magnum P.I.*, including his friend David Straiton, whose advice was "Fight for what you want, and choose your fights wisely."[14](https://www.tvguide.com/news/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-final-episodes-consciouness-of-guilt/) The episode mixed comedy, drama, and action, with guest appearances by Bobby Lee and his friend Taylor Handley; Knighton staged a helicopter sequence with cameraman Ruben Carrillo shooting from the skids and joked that the assignment was "this graduate school of directing."[13](https://www.tvinsider.com/1113168/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-directs-taylor-handley-rick-suzy-ending/) The episode featured his wife, Betsy Phillips, who plays Suzy Madison, Rick's romantic partner on the show.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) • [13](https://www.tvinsider.com/1113168/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-directs-taylor-handley-rick-suzy-ending/)
*Magnum P.I.* ran five seasons, moving from CBS to NBC for its final episodes in late 2023 and early 2024.[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton) • [14](https://www.tvguide.com/news/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-final-episodes-consciouness-of-guilt/) Knighton called the fan response "absolutely mind blowing," citing a Times Square billboard, and teased a ring in the series-ending episodes; he called Rick the longest-running role of his career.[14](https://www.tvguide.com/news/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-final-episodes-consciouness-of-guilt/) He later directed an episode of *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (season 17, "Thought Leadership: A Corporate Conversation," July 2025) and appeared as Colonel Strickland in *The Equalizer* (2025).[2](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton)
## Film work
Knighton's film roles include Duncan Dalton in the horror-western *The Pale Door* (2020), a long-sought part he said director Aaron Koontz offered precisely because a comedy actor in a horror-western could upend expectations.[12](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/zachary-knighton-magnum-pi-cbs-interview/) • [15](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zachary-knighton-the-pale-door-interview/) His other credits include the black comedy *Big Bear* (2017), Zack Whedon's directorial debut, the thriller *Come and Find Me* (2016), *Ashby* (2015) opposite Mickey Rourke, *Believe Me* (2014), and *Little Bitches* (2018).[6](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton) • [7](https://www.fandango.com/people/zachary-knighton-359924/film-credits) Upcoming titles listed by Fandango include *Digger*, *Verity*, and *Resident Evil*, all dated 2026.[7](https://www.fandango.com/people/zachary-knighton-359924/film-credits)
## Personal life
Knighton is the father of two and has described himself as a family man; a 2012 profile noted a daughter, Tellulah, with his then-wife Hang.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) • [4](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zachary-knighton/bio/3030276885/) He has also spoken about counter-protesting Confederate flag demonstrators at the Robert E. Lee monument while a student in Richmond, and about wanting people to learn from that history.[3](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi) Off screen he surfs, dives, and sails, and holds a captain's license.[12](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/zachary-knighton-magnum-pi-cbs-interview/) • [16](https://windycitytimes.com/2012/03/21/zach-knighton-of-happy-endings-on-chicago-show-marriage-equality/)
## References
1. [Zachary Knighton - Actor, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/zachary-knighton/)
2. [Zachary Knighton, TVmaze](https://www.tvmaze.com/people/16829/zachary-knighton)
3. [Actor and alum Zachary Knighton on origins, fatherhood and Magnum P.I., VCU News (July 20, 2021)](https://www.news.vcu.edu/article/2021/07/actor-and-alum-zachary-knighton-on-origins-fatherhood-and-magnum-pi)
4. [Zachary Knighton Biography, TV Guide](https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/zachary-knighton/bio/3030276885/)
5. [Happy Beginnings and 'Happy Endings' for Zachary Knighton, Backstage (August 15, 2012)](https://www.backstage.com/magazine/article/happy-beginnings-happy-endings-zachary-knighton-52741/)
6. [Zachary Knighton bio, Paramount Press Express, CBS Entertainment](https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-entertainment/talent/?view=zachary-knighton)
7. [Zachary Knighton Filmography, Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/people/zachary-knighton-359924/film-credits)
8. [How I Met Your Father and the Insufferable History of the Lovelorn Sitcom Dude, Time (January 20, 2022)](https://time.com/6139067/how-i-met-your-father-sitcom-tropes/)
9. [Seriously, 'Happy Endings' is over: Zachary Knighton talks returning to TV, The Washington Post (April 2, 2015)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2015/04/02/seriously-happy-endings-is-over-zachary-knighton-talks-returning-to-tv-after-starring-in-a-cult-favorite/)
10. [Happy Endings' Zachary Knighton talks comedy and T-shirts, The A.V. Club (April 4, 2012)](https://www.avclub.com/happy-endings-zachary-knighton-talks-comedy-and-t-shir-1798230745)
11. ['Happy Endings' Cast Dish on Reunion Episode's Surprise Wedding and Reboot Hopes, Entertainment Tonight (July 20, 2020)](https://www.etonline.com/happy-endings-cast-dish-on-reunion-episodes-surprise-wedding-and-reboot-hopes-exclusive-149964)
12. ['There's Comedic Relief, But We Deal With A Lot Of Storylines That Are Important', CBS Los Angeles (August 20, 2020)](https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/zachary-knighton-magnum-pi-cbs-interview/)
13. ['Magnum P.I.': Zachary Knighton Talks Directing Friends, TV Insider (December 4, 2023)](https://www.tvinsider.com/1113168/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-directs-taylor-handley-rick-suzy-ending/)
14. [Magnum P.I.'s Zachary Knighton Drops Huge Hints About the Series' Final Episodes, TV Guide (December 6, 2023)](https://www.tvguide.com/news/magnum-pi-zachary-knighton-final-episodes-consciouness-of-guilt/)
15. [Zachary Knighton On Mixing Horror With Western in The Pale Door, ComicBook.com (September 1, 2020)](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/zachary-knighton-the-pale-door-interview/)
16. [Zach Knighton of 'Happy Endings' on Chicago show, marriage equality, Windy City Times (March 21, 2012)](https://windycitytimes.com/2012/03/21/zach-knighton-of-happy-endings-on-chicago-show-marriage-equality/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 2000s onward › Surnames Kn to La*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license