Age: 64
Birthplace: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Christopher Jay "Chris" Potter (born August 23, 1960) is a Canadian actor, musician, and pitchman. He is primarily known for his roles on soap operas and prime-time television. Potter is known for his roles as Peter Caine on the 1990s crime drama Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Dr. David Cameron on the first season of Queer as Folk, as the voice of Gambit in the animated X-Men series, and for his recurring role as con-artist Evan Owen on The Young and the Restless. He plays Tim Fleming on the drama Heartland.
The oldest of three children, Potter was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to Ron Potter, an ex- pro-football player and insurance salesman, and Judith Potter, a singer. Potter was raised in London, Ontario, Canada. He had an early interest in sports such as hockey, baseball, and football, as well as in community theater.
Successful in sports throughout his high school years (attended Oakridge Secondary School in London, Ontario), Chris wanted a professional career as an athlete; however, his father would not permit it. He later quit college to start a career as a rock musician. He discovered a love for the theater and became a professional stage actor. He also worked on an oil rig in Northern Canada, sold cars, and later became an insurance salesman. He left the insurance company to start his career on TV, as an actor and a pitchman.
His wife's name is Karen, and they have four children: Jesse, Quinn, Claire, and Gray.
After being a spokesman on many commercials in the 1980s, and his role in Material World, he finally made his mark in TV playing David Carradine's son and crime-fighting partner, Det. Peter Caine on Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, after receiving a contract with Warner Bros. in 1992. His first role, in 1993, was a hit in both Canada and United States. He also appeared on Silk Stalkings and provided the voice of Gambit for at least the first four seasons of the X-Men animated series.
Aside from acting, Potter is also a singer and songwriter. He recorded the CD Tourmaline, for which he wrote all the songs. He also plays guitar, drums, and piano.
Potter was featured in Rocket's Red Glare (2000). He appeared on the first season as Dr. David Cameron on Queer as Folk opposite Hal Sparks, and he starred in a mini-series A Wrinkle in Time (2003) for ABC. Potter also appeared in Spymate (2006).
The following year, he landed another role opposite Amber Marshall in the CBC Television series Heartland playing the role of Tim Fleming. Also in 2007, Potter joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in a recurring role as Evan Owen, playing opposite Judith Chapman, with whom he had previously appeared on an episode of Silk Stalkings; Potter remained on The Young and the Restless until being written out in early 2008.