Rich Sommer
Explore the life and career of Rich Sommer (born February 2, 1978) — American actor known for Mad Men, The Devil Wears Prada, his passion for games, and insightful commentary on acting life and craft.
Introduction
Rich Sommer is an American actor with a range that spans television, film, theatre, voice work, and improv. He is perhaps best known as Harry Crane on Mad Men, but his career includes surprising detours: board games, improv roots, and a life grounded in thoughtful reflection. His trajectory offers lessons about adaptability, creative persistence, and finding personal authenticity in the industry.
Early Life & Background
Richard “Rich” Olen Sommer II was born on February 2, 1978 in Toledo, Ohio. Stillwater, Minnesota, where he attended Oak-Land Junior High and Stillwater Area High School.
After high school, he enrolled at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, majoring in theatre and singing in The Concordia Choir. Brave New Workshop in Minneapolis, and co-founded an improv group called Slush Puppies.
In 2004, he earned his MFA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio.
Career & Achievements
Breakthrough & Signature Role
Sommer’s breakout came via the acclaimed AMC television series Mad Men (2007–2015), where he portrayed Harry Crane, a media buyer who advances into heading television advertising. Mad Men ensemble that won Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.
That role gave him sustained visibility and credit in the industry, anchoring his reputation as a capable supporting actor able to bring nuance even to challenging, corporate-type characters.
Film, Television & Voice Work
Outside of Mad Men, Sommer has appeared in a variety of films and TV shows. Some highlights include:
-
The Devil Wears Prada (2006) — as Doug, a supporting role that placed him in a major Hollywood film.
-
Celeste and Jesse Forever (2012)
-
The Giant Mechanical Man (2012)
-
Hello, My Name Is Doris (2015)
-
BlackBerry (2023)
-
Guest appearances in series like Elementary
-
Voice role: he voiced Henry in the video game Firewatch (2016)
-
From 2019 onward, he portrayed Detective Dean Riley in In the Dark on The CW.
He has also done stage work, such as Harvey on Broadway and Buried Child Off-Broadway, reflecting his continued connection to theater.
Style, Passions & Side Projects
Sommer is known for being candid about the actor’s life: its uncertainties, periods of drought, and the importance of versatility. He credits many of his audition and performance skills to years of improvisation experience.
He is also a passionate board game enthusiast. He even hosted a podcast called CARDBOARD! about tabletop games.
Sommer maintains a grounded personal life: he lives in Los Angeles with his wife, Virginia Donohoe (married August 13, 2005), and they have two children.
Personality & Artistic Philosophy
Rich Sommer frequently reflects on the actor’s identity—that much of being cast is you being yourself in a heightened version. As he once said:
“Anytime you're on camera, 95 percent of whatever character you're playing … you’re cast because you're you.”
He also embraces humility about the profession: he acknowledges periods of scarcity ("dry spells") as part of the journey, which never entirely go away.
Regarding theater, he’s fond of the freedom it affords to “play”:
“So what’s so enticing about doing a play is that you get to do that thing that got you into acting in the first place … There’s a real attraction to being able to play, to just play. And that’s something that theater affords you.”
Sommer also embraces his “nerdiness”:
“I’m a bit of a nerd, and my extracurricular activity is nerd games.”
He asserts that games are social bridges—a way to connect with people:
“Gaming has been a great way to get to know people. That’s part of what I love about games, that they are social.”
He’s also self-aware and humorous—he once said:
“I only aim for fashion that’s long dead.”
Famous Quotes
Here is a curated selection of memorable quotes by Rich Sommer:
-
“Anytime you're on camera, 95 percent of whatever character you're playing … you’re cast because you're you.”
-
“So what’s so enticing about doing a play … you get to do … play. … theater affords you.”
-
“Gaming has been a great way to get to know people. … games are social.”
-
“I’m a bit of a nerd, and my extracurricular activity is nerd games.”
-
“I only aim for fashion that’s long dead.”
-
“Before ‘Mad Men,’ I definitely had very dry spells … and I know what those feel like, and I don’t think that ever leaves you as an actor.”
-
“The 12 years that I was improvising are why … I got … The Devil Wears Prada … and it’s why I even got in the door for Mad Men.”
These statements illuminate his perspective on craft, perseverance, and mixing personal interests with career.
Lessons & Reflections
-
Lean into foundations
Sommer’s improv training, early theater, and ensemble work laid groundwork for flexibility and resilience. -
Embrace phases of scarcity
The “dry spells” in an actor’s life are not failures—they’re part of the arc. How one endures them matters. -
Be authentic in roles
The more you know who you are, the more grounded your performances can be—even in very different characters. -
Pursue your passions as fuel
His love of board games is not merely distraction but a source of joy, connection, and creative balance. -
Stay curious and multi-dimensional
Working across media—stage, screen, voice—keeps an actor’s skills fresh and options open.
Conclusion
Rich Sommer exemplifies a working actor’s life: sustained by craft, shaped by diverse projects, grounded in personal interests. He reminds us that success in the arts is not just about one breakout role, but steady accumulation of skills, connections, and authenticity. His voice—both in character and in interview—is one of humility, wit, and steady curiosity.