Rich Ceraulo Ko was born on a United States Air Force base in Bitburg, Germany, to a military family. His father, Richard Loreto Ceraulo, was a respected Air Force Master Sergeant, while his mother, Yang Cha Ko, was a dedicated housekeeper and homemaker. Throughout his childhood, Rich's family relocated frequently, eventually settling on Long Island, New York.
Rich's academic pursuits took him to New York University, where he initially studied biology and pre-medicine before transferring to the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts in his junior year. There, he had the privilege of studying with the esteemed Doug Moston of the Actors Studio. After graduating, Rich made his mark on the Broadway stage in the musical production of Flower Drum Song.
Seeking new challenges, Rich soon relocated to Los Angeles to pursue a career in film and television. His feature film debut opposite the accomplished Kevin Bacon in James Wan's Death Sentence marked the beginning of his successful journey. He then went on to appear in a string of independent film and television roles, showcasing his impressive range as a character actor.
Rich's impressive résumé includes guest starring roles in several critically acclaimed television shows, such as The Walking Dead, Halt and Catch Fire, and Supergirl. He has also credited his mentors, Shari Shaw and Stuart Rogers, with playing a significant role in his development as an actor.
In his personal life, Rich has been married to writer and actress Alissa Dean since June 27, 2009.
