Richard's early life was marked by a propensity for humor, as he grew up in the San Fernando Valley, cultivating a reputation as the class clown among his peers. His innate talent for comedy was further refined during his formative years at the California State University, Northridge, where he participated in the teenage drama workshop, showcasing his aptitude by expertly directing a scene from the iconic Marx Brothers' film, "The Cocoanuts".
Notable figure Richard's initial foray into the world of acting during the 1980s was marked by a series of television appearances, including guest roles on popular shows such as "General Hospital", "Diff'rent Strokes", "Silver Spoons", "Spencer", "The New Love American Style", "What's Happening Now", "Stingray", "Free Ride", and "Like Father, Like Son".
As his acting career appeared to stagnate, a serendipitous phone call from a friend, inviting Richard to join the production team of the popular true-crime series "Unsolved Mysteries", served as the catalyst for a transformative shift in his professional trajectory. Between 1989 and 1993, Richard embarked on a remarkable journey, traveling extensively across the western United States as a key member of the show's production team.
Richard's extensive background as a production assistant on the iconic television series "Unsolved Mysteries" paved the way for a wide range of opportunities in the film industry. He went on to contribute to the production of several notable feature films, including the action-packed "Volcano", the sci-fi thriller "Face/Off", the futuristic "Virtuosity", and the crime drama "Metro".
This experience, coupled with an invitation from a colleague to work as an assistant director on a low-budget film, marked a significant turning point in Richard's professional journey. From 1994 to 1996, he dedicated himself to honing his skills as a non-union assistant director, diligently accumulating the necessary days to eventually join the esteemed Directors Guild of America (DGA).
Richard's professional journey began to unfold in 2005, when he received a prestigious Director's Guild of America (DGA) nomination as part of the esteemed team led by the accomplished Director George Clooney, for their collaborative work on the critically acclaimed film "Good Night Good Luck". This milestone marked the beginning of a period of intense creative activity, as Richard dedicated himself to crafting a series of captivating short films that would soon garner widespread recognition at numerous esteemed film festivals. Among his most notable achievements during this time was the creation of "Mystery Man", a cinematic masterpiece that would go on to claim the top honor at the esteemed Tulipanes Film Fest in 2004, securing the coveted Best Family Film award. Similarly, his short film "Capt. Undergarments" would earn the Audience Award at the highly respected Valley Film Fest in 2006, a testament to its widespread appeal and critical acclaim. Furthermore, Richard's short film "My Wallet" would take home the Best Narrative Short award at the Ava Gardner Film Fest in 2007, a remarkable achievement that solidified his position as a talented and innovative filmmaker.
