Rif Hutton
American actor (1955–2026)
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Rif Hutton (November 28, 1952 – April 18, 2026) was an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his recurring role as Dr. Ron Welch in the comedy-drama series Doogie Howser, M.D., appearing in that series from 1990 up to its conclusion in 1993. From 1997 to 2001, he appeared in a recurring role as Lt. Cmdr. Alan Mattoni on the series JAG. Hutton is also notable for playing Russ Beeler, a fictional owner of a KFC establishment, appearing in a number of KFC commercials in the early to mid 1990s.[2]
Rif Hutton | |
|---|---|
Hutton at the Kirk Baily celebration of life in 2022 | |
| Born | November 28, 1952 San Antonio, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | April 18, 2026 (aged 73) Pasadena, California, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1983–2026 |
| Spouse | [1] |
Early life and career
Hutton was born in San Antonio, Texas, and was raised in East Orange, New Jersey. He moved to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s to pursue an acting career. He went to many auditions in his early years, but soon found himself broke and homeless, getting assistance from friends.[3]
He went on to guest star in a number of notable television series including The Jeffersons, Night Court, L.A. Law, Married... with Children, Hunter, Wings, Murphy Brown, The Larry Sanders Show, Getting By, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Family Matters, and Cold Case among others.[1]
Hutton also appeared in stage productions in the Los Angeles area as well as working as a voice actor.[1]
Personal life and death
Hutton was married twice. His first marriage was to a woman named Pat, an actress and stand-up comedian.[3] His second was to actress Bridget Hoffman in 2001.[1]
It is also reported in 2000 that he was engaged to actress Telma Hopkins.[4][5] In 1993–94, Hutton had played Hopkins' love interest in a few episodes of her sitcom Getting By.
Hutton died from brain cancer at his home in Pasadena, California, on April 18, 2026, at the age of 73.[6]
Filmography
Film
- Wavelength (1983) – Air Force officer
- Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987) – Agent
- You Talkin' to Me? (1987) – Black Man
- Moving (1988) – Reporter
- Stand and Deliver (1988) – Pearson
- L.A. Heat (1989) – Det. Royster
- The Borrower (1991) – Newscaster
- Going Under (1991) – Dr. Friendly
- Star Trek Generations (1994) – Klingon Guard
- Bigfoot: The Unforgettable Encounter (1995) – Jess
- Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest (1995) – Arnold
- Restraining Order (1999) – Sidney Evans
- The Thirteenth Floor (1999) – Joe
- Shrek (2001) – Lord Farquaad's Guards (voice)
- Osmosis Jones (2001) – Charlie (voice)
- Gas (2004) – Brad
- Shark Tale (2004) – Fish (voice)
- Tugger: The Jeep 4x4 Who Wanted to Fly (2005) – Crewman #1 (voice)
- Madagascar (2005) – Crowd Member (voice)
- Stick It (2006) – Drill Sergeant
- Curious George (2006) – Mailman (voice)
- The Tale of Despereaux (2008) – Man in crowd (voice)
- My Apocalypse (2008) – Housing Inspector
- Astro Boy (2009) – Metro City Sergeant (voice)
- The Princess and the Frog (2009) – DJ (voice)
- Rio (2011) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Hotel Transylvania (2012) – Additional Voices (voice)
- ParaNorman (2012) – Blithe Hollow Townperson (voice)
- Epic (2013) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Rio 2 (2014) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Kingsglaive: Final Fantasy XV (2016) – High Official #2 (voice)
- The Star (2017) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation (2018) – Additional Voices (voice)
- The Angry Birds Movie 2 (2019) – Additional Voices (voice)
- Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank (2022) – Additional Voices (voice)
Television
- The Jeffersons (1985) – Roulette Spinner
- 227 (1987) – Man #1
- Webster (1989) – Bob
- A Different World (1989) – Security #2
- Doogie Howser, M.D. (1989–1993) – Dr. Ron Welch
- Married, with Children (1990) – Bailiff
- Wings (1991) – T.V. Anchorman
- Sister, Sister (1994) – PTA President
- Fudge (1995) – Mr. Green
- General Hospital (1995) – David Ward
- Home Improvement (1995) – Man at Arena
- The Wayans Bros. (1995–1999) – Ted Winters / Agent Doug Steckler
- Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1996) – Agent Rawlings
- The Jamie Foxx Show (1996) – Vray Beaujay
- Family Matters (1997) – Reverend Fuller
- Seinfeld (1998) – Salesman
- Buffy the Vampire Slayer (2003) – Initiative General
- House (2005) – Morris
- Thats So Raven (2005) – Reverend Mattson
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (2007) – Vernon Porter
- Ghost Whisperer (2008) – Bill Eritt
- The Mentalist (2008) – Doctor
- Criminal Minds (2016) – Warden Bryan Nabb
- General Hospital (2021) – Lenny
