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

Television