Rick Hoffman (born June 12, 1970) is an American actor. He is known for playing Jerry Best in the Fox sitcom The Bernie Mac Show (2002–2005), Chase Chapman in the ABC comedy series Samantha Who? (2007–2009) and Louis Litt in the USA Network legal drama series Suits (2011–2019).
Early life Hoffman was born in New York City to Charles and Gail Hoffman. He grew up in a Jewish family in Roslyn Heights on Long Island with his brother Jeff Hoffman. He graduated from The Wheatley School in Old Westbury, before attending the University of Arizona, majoring in theater arts. After graduating, he moved to Los Angeles, California, to start an acting career.
Career Hoffman was cast in his first role, as a security guard in Conspiracy Theory, in 1997. He had some other small roles until he received a main role as Freddie Sacker on Darren Star's short-lived Wall Street series The $treet in 2000, which was pulled from the airwaves after seven episodes, but which allowed him to quit his job waiting tables and move back to New York. His subsequent TV roles included Terry Loomis on the short-lived Steven Bochco law drama Philly in 2001–2002, Jerry Best in The Bernie Mac Show (2002–2005), Patrick Van Dorn on the John Stamos comedy Jake in Progress (2004–2005) and Chase Chapman on the ABC comedy Samantha Who? (2007–2009). In 2011, he landed a starring role as Louis Litt in the USA Network series Suits, which ran until 2019. Hoffman reprises his role in the spinoff series Suits LA.
His other TV and film work includes The Day After Tomorrow, Blood Work, Hostel, Cellular and The Condemned. He has also appeared as a guest in CSI: Miami, Chuck, The Pretender, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NCIS, Crossing Jordan, Without a Trace, The Practice, CSI: NY, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Shark, Lie to Me, Andy Richter Controls the Universe, Monk, Billions, and The Mentalist.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes1997 Conspiracy Theory Security guard The FanaticsProtestor1998 Johnny SkidmarksBartender Lethal Weapon 4 Police officer2000 What Planet Are You From?Doctor A Better Way to DieRegis 2002 Blood Work James Lockridge 2003 I Love Your WorkLouis2004 The Day After Tomorrow New York businessman Uncredited Our Time Is Up Gay man Short film Cellular Lawyer2005 Hostel American client2007 Smiley Face Angry Face The Condemned Goldy Hostel: Part II American client Archive footage Postal Mr. Blither 2014 Locker 13 Armando 2023 Thanksgiving Thomas Wright 2024 London CallingBenson Abrams 2026 Office Romance Carl Gunderson
Television Year Title Role Notes 1996 Masked RiderPizza ManEpisode: "Ferbus' Day Out"1997Alright AlreadyRobberEpisode: "Again with the Porno Video"The PretenderPhotographerEpisode: "Exposed"1999V.I.P.Tino ScarlattiEpisode: "Big Top Val"ProvidenceBenji BrickmanEpisode: "Sail Away" 2000 The $treet Freddie Sacker 12 episodes 2001–2002 Philly Terry Loomis22 episodes 2002–2005 The Bernie Mac Show Jerry Best 10 episodes 2002 Andy Richter Controls the Universe ArnichEpisode: "Pilot" Crossing Jordan Phil Berman Episode: "As If by Fate" 2003 Miss MatchKate's Auction Date / Consultant at the Bar2 episodes 2003, 2009 CSI: Miami Bruno Gomez / Darren Ripley 2 episodes2004 The Practice D.A. Harvey Clarke 3 episodes Monk Agent Kohlms Episode: "Monk Meets the Godfather"2005–2006 Jake in Progress Patrick Van DornMain role (20 episodes) 2005 CSI: NY Dr. Miles Feldstein Episode: "Manhattan Manhunt"2006 Commander in Chief Lance Addison 2 episodes American Dad! Caroler #1 / John Hinckley Jr. (voice) Episode: "The Best Christmas Story Never Told"2007 SharkSam HarrisEpisode: "Here Comes the Judge" Chuck Agent Scary Episode: "Chuck Versus the Sandworm" CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Michael Raykirk Episode: "Cockroaches" 2007–09 Samantha Who? Chase Chapman Recurring role, 9 episodes2008 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Gary Lesley Episode: "Closet" Las Vegas Scott Noel Episode: "2 on 2" NCIS Kelvin Ridgeway Episode: "In the Zone" Leverage Alan Foss Episode: "The Two-Horse Job"2009 Knight Rider Christopher Stevens 2 episodes Lie to Me Peters Episode: "The Best Policy"2010 Better Off Ted Veridian Foundation Head Episode: "Mess of a Salesman" Numb3rs Award Show Producer Episode: "And the Winner is..." The Mentalist Christopher Lynch Episode: "Red Letter" Dark BlueBilly HoffmanEpisode: "High Rollers" Human Target Shelly Episode: "Ilsa Pucci" 2011 Law & Order: LA Attorney Miller Episode: "Carthay Circle" 2011–2019 Suits Louis Litt Main role (134 episodes) 2016 Ballers NFL PA Rep Episode: "Most Guys" 2019 Pearson Louis Litt Episode: "The Political Wife" 2020–2023 Billions Dr. Swerdlow Recurring role 2023 Round and Round Stan Television film 2025 Suits LA Louis Litt Episode: "Angry Sylvester" TBA Martin Stone Guest star
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