Rich Ceraulo Ko was born on a United States Air Force base in Bitburg, Germany, where his father, Richard Loreto Ceraulo, served as an Air Force Master Sergeant and his mother, Yang Cha Ko, worked as a dedicated housekeeper and homemaker. As a child, Rich's family relocated frequently, eventually settling on Long Island, New York, which became their permanent residence.
Rich pursued higher education at New York University, initially studying biology and pre-medicine. However, he transferred to the Tisch School of the Arts during his junior year, where he had the privilege of studying with renowned acting coach Doug Moston of the Actors Studio.
After graduating, Rich made his Broadway debut in the musical production of Flower Drum Song. He then made the bold decision to relocate to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television.
Rich's feature film debut was a notable one, as he appeared alongside Kevin Bacon in James Wan's Death Sentence. He subsequently took on a variety of independent film and television roles, showcasing his impressive range as a character actor.
Fans of television may recognize Rich from his guest appearances in critically acclaimed shows such as The Walking Dead, Halt and Catch Fire, and Supergirl. Rich credits his mentors, Shari Shaw and Stuart Rogers, for playing a significant role in his acting journey.
In his personal life, Rich has been married to writer and actress Alissa Dean since June 27, 2009.