CHARLES ESTEN

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Charles "Chip" Esten is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. Esten is best known for his roles as Deacon Claybourne on CMT's Nashville and as Ward Cameron on Netflix's Outer Banks.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, Charles “Chip” Esten was raised in Alexandria, VA, and attended T.C. Williams High School (made famous in the film Remember the Titans). He then attended The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, where he graduated with a degree in economics and met his wife, Patty. While in Williamsburg, he was the lead singer/songwriter in a popular local band.

Esten made his theatrical debut in London when he portrayed Buddy Holly, singing, acting, and playing guitar in the hit West End musical “Buddy.” In that role he was honored to perform for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, and eventually President and Mrs. George H.W. Bush at The White House. He was also very honored to perform with Jerry Allison and Joe B. Mauldin, Buddy’s original hitmaking bandmates, the Crickets.

It was during his run as Buddy that Esten first appeared on the original British version of Whose Line Is It Anyway? with Ryan Stiles and Greg Proops. When Whose Line Is It Anyway? came to ABC, he became a recurring cast member and frequent song improviser. Since then he has appeared on Drew Carey’s Improvaganza and toured frequently, performing live improv shows with Stiles, Proops, and Jeff B. Davis. 

Esten’s many early television credits include recurring roles in Big Love, Enlightened, The Office, and ER. Besides being the father on Disney Channel’s Jessie, he has been a Klingon on Star Trek: The Next Generation, a secretary on Murphy Brown, and Kelly Bundy’s fiance on the series finale of Married with Children. His film credits include Swing Vote, Thirteen Days, 61, and The Postman.