You know that guy. The one who looks like he’s about to explain your 401(k) but somehow ends up being the most interesting—or most annoying—person in the room. That’s Rich Sommer. Honestly, if you’ve watched any "prestige" television in the last twenty years, you’ve seen him. He’s the master of the "mild-mannered dude with a dark side" archetype.
Most people associate him with the checkered shirts and escalating sleaziness of Harry Crane on Mad Men. But if you look at the full list of Rich Sommer movies and tv shows, you realize he’s basically been the secret sauce in every major production of the peak TV era. He’s a Midwestern-born powerhouse who turned "awkward sincerity" into a high-level art form.
Why Mad Men Was Just the Beginning
Let’s be real: Harry Crane was the worst. But Rich Sommer played him so well that we couldn't stop watching. He started as the only guy at Sterling Cooper who seemed to actually love his wife, and by the end, he was a polyester-wearing Hollywood leech. It was a masterclass in slow-burn character rot.
Sommer has this weird ability to make you feel bad for a guy while simultaneously wanting to punch him. It’s a specific niche.
Breaking Out of the 1960s
While Mad Men was still airing, Sommer was already branching out. You might have missed him in The Devil Wears Prada (2006) as Doug, the friend who actually understood fashion. It was a tiny role, but he anchored the "normal person" side of that world perfectly.
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Then came the guest spots. He’s been in everything:
- The Office: He was Alex, the guy from art school who tried to convince Pam to stay in New York. Total "nice guy" energy.
- Curb Your Enthusiasm: He played a veterinarian in a classic awkward Larry David standoff.
- Elementary: He recurred as Harlan Emple, a math genius who was basically a human calculator.
The Versatility of Being "The Everyman"
The thing about Rich Sommer is that he doesn't just do drama. He’s actually a comedy nerd at heart. If you listen to podcasts like Comedy Bang! Bang!, you know he’s got incredible improv chops. This translates into his TV work in ways that feel incredibly natural.
Take GLOW on Netflix. He played Mark Eagan, the husband who cheats on his wife (Debbie) with her best friend (Ruth). On paper, he’s the villain. But Sommer plays him as such a pathetic, confused suburbanite that the betrayal feels more like a tragic mistake than a mustache-twirling plot point.
Voice Acting and Video Games
You might not even realize you’ve been "playing" as Rich Sommer. He’s the voice of Henry in the hit indie game Firewatch. His voice carries that entire game. It’s just him and a walkie-talkie, and he manages to convey more emotion through a headset than most actors do with their whole bodies.
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He’s also popped up in:
- Regular Show
- Adventure Time
- The Simpsons
- F Is for Family
Recent Hits: From BlackBerry to White House Plumbers
If you think he’s slowed down, you haven't been paying attention. In 2023, he was in BlackBerry as Paul Stannos. It’s one of those "fast-talking tech" movies where everyone is screaming, and Sommer fits right into that high-pressure environment. He also showed up in White House Plumbers as Egil "Bud" Krogh, proving he still wears a 1970s suit better than almost anyone in the business.
He also had a great, albeit uncomfortable, turn in The Dropout (the Elizabeth Holmes story) and a recurring role in the dark comedy Minx. Basically, if a show needs a guy who looks like he belongs in a boardroom but is secretly falling apart, they call Rich.
The Horror Side
He’s even dipped his toes into genre films. Summer of 84 saw him playing Wayne Mackey, a suburban cop who might—or might not—be a serial killer. It’s a great example of him using his "trustworthy neighbor" face to create genuine tension. You want to believe him, but something in his eyes tells you to run.
What to Watch First
If you’re looking to dive into the Rich Sommer movies and tv shows catalog, don't just stick to the hits.
- Mad Men: Obviously. Watch the evolution of Harry Crane from a dorky media buyer to a corporate monster.
- Firewatch (Game): Even if you aren't a gamer, watch a "Let's Play" on YouTube. His performance is haunting.
- BlackBerry: A masterclass in ensemble acting.
- A Crooked Somebody: A hidden gem where he plays a fake psychic. It’s one of his few leading roles, and it’s excellent.
- In the Dark: He plays a detective (Dean Riley) for several seasons, showing off his ability to handle a long-form procedural arc.
Actionable Insights for Fans
- Follow his board game hobby: He’s a massive board game enthusiast and often hosts shows or appears on panels related to tabletop gaming. It’s a great way to see the "real" Rich.
- Check out his theater roots: He’s a classically trained actor (MFA from Case Western). If he’s ever doing a play in New York or LA, go. He’s a powerhouse on stage.
- Look for the "Easter Egg" cameos: He pops up in one-off episodes of shows like Grey's Anatomy, Nikita, and Burn Notice. He’s the ultimate "That Guy" actor.
Rich Sommer isn't just a supporting player; he's the guy who makes the world of the show feel real. He’s the Midwestern anchor in a sea of Hollywood artifice. Whether he's playing a sleazy ad man, a cheating husband, or a math nerd, he brings a level of human detail that’s hard to find elsewhere.
Keep an eye out for his name in the credits of upcoming projects like the Chris Rock film currently in production or his voice work in Big City Greens. He isn't going anywhere, and honestly, TV is better for it.