Zachary Knighton

Zachary Andrew Knighton (born October 25, 1978 ) is an American actor, best known for starring as Dave Rose on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings from 2011 to 2013 and as Orville "Rick" Wright in the rebooted version of Magnum P.I. from 2018 to 2024. Other notable roles on television include starring roles on ABC's science fiction series FlashForward and in the FOX sitcoms Life on a Stick and Weird Loners.

Life and career Knighton was born in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated from Frank W. Cox High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia and the Governor's School for the Arts in 1996. Later, he attended Virginia Commonwealth University.

In 2007, he starred in the horror film remake The Hitcher, with Sophia Bush, playing the role originally performed by C. Thomas Howell. Previously, Knighton played Laz Lackerson on the short-lived television program, Life on a Stick. He starred as Gary on the series Related.

In 2009, he was cast as Bryce Varley in the science fiction series FlashForward, based on the novel by Robert J. Sawyer. Knighton had originally auditioned for the role of Demetri Noh but lost out to John Cho. The show's co-creator David S. Goyer then rewrote the role of Bryce Varley for Knighton. The show was cancelled after one season.

From April 2011 to May 2013, Knighton starred as Dave Rose on the ABC comedy series Happy Endings, alongside Eliza Coupe, Elisha Cuthbert, Adam Pally, Damon Wayans Jr. and Casey Wilson. Despite critical acclaim and a cult following, the show was cancelled by ABC after concluding its third season on May 3, 2013. BuddyTV ranked him #94 on its list of "TV's Sexiest Men of 2011" and #100 in "TV's Sexiest Men of 2012".

In 2014, Knighton appeared in a recurring guest arc in the 5th season of the NBC series Parenthood. He also starred on the FOX sitcom Weird Loners.

In 2018, Knighton was cast in the recurring role of Paul on the second season of the Netflix horror-comedy series Santa Clarita Diet. In 2018, Knighton was cast in the main role of Rick Wright on the CBS drama series Magnum P.I.. The series was canceled after four seasons on CBS, but was picked up by NBC in 2022 with a 20-episode order that debuted in 2023.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2000 Cherry Falls Mr. Rolly 2002 La vie nouvelle Seymour 2003 The Mudge Boy Travis 2004 The Prince & Me John Morgan 2007 The Hitcher Jim Halsey 2008 Surfer, Dude Billo Murphy 2010 Tug Judd 2011 Satellite of Love Blake 2013 The Big Ask Dave 2014 Believe Me Gabriel 2014 Hot Benny 2015 Ashby Father Ted 2016 Come and Find Me Charlie 2017 Big Bear Colin 2018 Little Bitches Mr. Warner 2020 The Pale Door Duncan

Television Year Title Role Notes 2001 Ed Stephen 1 episode 2001 Law & Order Paul Wyler 1 episode 2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Lukas Ian Croft 1 episode 2005 Life on a Stick Laz Lackerson Main role, 13 episodes 2005 Love, Inc. Brad 1 episode 2006 Related Gary 2 episodes 2007 Supreme Courtships Clyde Television movie 2008, 2013, 2025 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Random Guy 2 episodes; Director: "Thought Leadership: A Corporate Conversation" 2009 Bones Chet Newcomb 1 episode 2009–10 FlashForward Dr. Bryce Varley Main role, 22 episodes 2010 House Billy Episode: "Message Therapy" 2011–13 Happy Endings Dave Rose Main role, 57 episodes 2012 Happy Endings: Happy Rides Dave Rose Web series 2013 Wilfred Bill the Mailman 1 episode 2014 Parenthood Evan Knight Recurring role, 5 episodes 2015 Weird Loners Stosh Lewandoski Main role, 6 episodes 2016 The Catch Morgan Foster 2 episodes 2016 House of Lies Max Episode: "One-Eighty" 2016 Elementary Aaron Stone Episode: "Render, and Then Seize Her" 2017 Fresh Off the Boat Doug Episode: "How to Be an American" 2017 The Good Fight Dr. Randolph Picot Episode: "The Schtup List" 2018–19 Santa Clarita Diet Paul Recurring role, 4 episodes 2018 LA to Vegas Bryan Recurring role, 6 episodes 2018 StartUp Tucker Saginaw 6 episodes 2018–24 Magnum P.I.Orville "Rick" Wright Main role 2020 Hawaii Five-0 2 episodes (crossovers with Magnum P.I.) 2025 The Equalizer Colonel Strickland Episode: "A Few Good Women"