Person
Charles Esten
Acting · Born 1965-09-09 · Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Biography
Charles Esten Puskar III (September 9, 1965), also known as Chip Esten, is an American actor, musician and comedian. He is best known for his role as country singer Deacon Claybourne on the ABC/CMT drama Nashville (2012-2018), which subsequently kickstarted his own musical career. He's also known for his comedy (as Chip Esten) on the US version of the improv series Whose Line Is it Anyway?.
Known for
The Mentalist
Rick Bregman
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
The Office
Josh Porter
ER
Barry Grossman
NCIS: Los Angeles
John Cole / Ethan Stanhope
Married... with Children
Lonnie
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Divok
JAG
Pete "Pistol" Ayers
Star Trek: Voyager
Dathan
Cheers
Marine
Filmography
- 2026Grizzly NightGary Bunney
- 2026Signing Tony RaymondCoach Crew Marshall
- 2025The RunaroundsConsulting Producer
- 2024Homestead: The SeriesCain Ross
- 2024The Easy KindTye
- 2021TubydiPadastro
- 2020Outer BanksWard Cameron
- 2019The Kelly Clarkson ShowSelf
- 2018Nashville in Concert
- 2017Die Helene Fischer Show 2017Self
- 2013Whose Line Is It Anyway?Self
- 2012NashvilleDeacon Claybourne
- 2011EnlightenedDamon Manning
- 2011JessieMorgan Ross
- 2011WilfredNick
- 2011Drew Carey's Improv-A-GanzaSelf
- 2009NCIS: Los AngelesJohn Cole / Ethan Stanhope
- 20081%John Tipton
- 2008The MentalistRick Bregman
- 2008Swing VoteLewis
- 2007American FamilyLarry Bogner
- 2007The Winner
- 2006The New Adventures of Old ChristineJoe Campbell
- 2006Big LoveRay Henry
- 2005The OfficeJosh Porter
- 2004Drew Carey's Green Screen ShowSelf
- 2004Nobody Knows Anything!Conner Fulton
- 2003Cold CaseJohn 'The Hawk' Hawkins
- 20033-2-1 Penguins!: Moon Menace on Planet Tell-A-LieWriter
- 2003On the Spot
- 2003Water Under the BridgeDon
- 2002CMT Music AwardsSelf - Host
- 2002Ten Minutes Older: The TrumpetBill (segment "Twelve Miles to Trona")
- 2001The GuardianMark Hanson
- 200161*Kevin Maris
- 2001Drew Carey's Improv All StarsSelf (as Chip Esten)
- 2000Thirteen DaysMaj. Rudolf Anderson
- 1999Jack & JillNick Seraph
- 1999Rocket PowerWriter
- 1999Late Last NightBeverly Hills Cop
- 1999ProvidenceTed Shannon
- 1998JesseTad
- 1998The Brian Benben Show
- 1998Hollywood SquaresSelf - Panelist
- 1998Whose Line Is It Anyway?Self
- 1997The PostmanMichael
- 1997The Sleepwalker KillingMark Schall
- 1997Just Shoot Me!Jake
- 1995JAGPete "Pistol" Ayers
- 1995The Drew Carey ShowChip
- 1995The CrewRandy Anderson
- 1995Star Trek: VoyagerDathan
- 1994ERBarry Grossman
- 1994Party of FiveLuke
- 1993Diagnosis: MurderJoe Carter
- 1993Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanEthan Press
- 1987Star Trek: The Next GenerationDivok
- 1987Married... with ChildrenLonnie
- 1982CheersMarine
- —Signing DayCoach Crew Marshall
- —FlintFlint
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