Christopher Jay Potter (born August 23, 1960) is a Canadian actor. He is primarily known for his roles on soap operas and prime-time television. Potter is known for his roles as Peter Caine, the son of Kwai Chang Caine (played by David Carradine) on the 1990s crime drama Kung Fu: The Legend Continues, Sgt. Tom Ryan in Silk Stalkings, Dr. David Cameron on the first season of Queer as Folk, the voice of Gambit in the X-Men: The Animated Series, and for his recurring role as con-artist Evan Owen on The Young and the Restless. His most prominent role is as Tim Fleming on the long-running Canadian drama Heartland.
The oldest of three children, Potter was born in Toronto, Ontario, to Ron Potter, an ex-pro-football player and insurance executive, and Judith Potter, a singer.[1] Potter was raised in London, Ontario and attended Oakridge Secondary School. He developed an interest in sports as well as in music and community theater.[1]
Potter wanted a career as a professional 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.
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, and remained close friends with Carradine until his death in 2009.[2] His first role, in 1993, was a hit in both Canada and United States. From 1996 to 1999, he starred in the crime drama Silk Stalkings as Sgt. Tom Ryan[3][4] He also provided the voice of Gambit for at least the first four seasons of X-Men: The Animated Series.[5]
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. He also co-starred with Joely Fisher in Wild Card from 2003 to 2005. Potter also appeared in Spymate (2006). He also played Graydon Jennings in the movie Thrill of The Kill.
The following year, he landed another role opposite Amber Marshall in the CBC Television series Heartland playing the role of Tim Fleming.[2] 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.[6]
From 2008 to 2014 Potter was in a series of TV movies featuring The Good Witch, portraying Jake Russell. On three of the films, The Good Witch's Charm, The Good Witch's Destiny and The Good Witch's Wonder, he was co-executive producer. One of his co-stars Catherine Disher had previously worked with him, on the X-Men and two episodes of KF:TLC.[7] Potter was unable to continue the role on the Good Witch television series because of scheduling conflicts with his work on Heartland.[8]
Potter is married to Karen, and they have four children.[7]