Charles Esten
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
TV
The Mentalist
Rick Bregman
2008
TV
Cheers
Marine
1982
TV
The Office
Josh Porter
2005
TV
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Self
2019
TV
NCIS: Los Angeles
John Cole / Ethan Stanhope
2009
TV
JAG
Pete "Pistol" Ayers
1995
TV
Star Trek: The Next Generation
Divok
1987
TV
Star Trek: Voyager
Dathan
1995
TV
Hollywood Squares
Self - Panelist
1998
TV
ER
Barry Grossman
1994
TV
Cold Case
John 'The Hawk' Hawkins
2003
TV
Diagnosis: Murder
Joe Carter
1993
TV
Married... with Children
Lonnie
1987
TV
The Drew Carey Show
Chip
1995
TV
Party of Five
Luke
1994
Film
Grizzly Night
Gary Bunney
2026
TV
The Guardian
Mark Hanson
2001
TV
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Ethan Press
1993
TV
Big Love
Ray Henry
2006
TV
Jessie
Morgan Ross
2011
Filmography
2026FilmGrizzly Nightas Gary Bunney2026FilmSigning Tony Raymondas Coach Crew Marshall2024TVHomestead: The Seriesas Cain Ross2024FilmThe Easy Kindas Tye2021FilmTubydias Padastro2020TVOuter Banksas Ward Cameron2019TVThe Kelly Clarkson Showas Self2018FilmNashville in Concert2017FilmDie Helene Fischer Show 2017as Self2013TVWhose Line Is It Anyway?as Self2012TVNashvilleas Deacon Claybourne2011TVEnlightenedas Damon Manning2011TVJessieas Morgan Ross2011TVWilfredas Nick2011TVDrew Carey's Improv-A-Ganzaas Self2009TVNCIS: Los Angelesas John Cole / Ethan Stanhope2008Film1%as John Tipton2008TVThe Mentalistas Rick Bregman2008FilmSwing Voteas Lewis2007FilmAmerican Familyas Larry Bogner2007TVThe Winner2006TVThe New Adventures of Old Christineas Joe Campbell2006TVBig Loveas Ray Henry2005TVThe Officeas Josh Porter2004TVDrew Carey's Green Screen Showas Self2004FilmNobody Knows Anything!as Conner Fulton2003TVCold Caseas John 'The Hawk' Hawkins2003TVOn the Spot2003FilmWater Under the Bridgeas Don2002TVCMT Music Awardsas Self - Host2002FilmTen Minutes Older: The Trumpetas Bill (segment "Twelve Miles to Trona")2001TVThe Guardianas Mark Hanson2001Film61*as Kevin Maris2001FilmDrew Carey's Improv All Starsas Self (as Chip Esten)2000FilmThirteen Daysas Maj. Rudolf Anderson1999TVJack & Jill1999FilmLate Last Nightas Beverly Hills Cop1999TVProvidenceas Ted Shannon1998TVJesseas Tad1998TVThe Brian Benben Show1998TVHollywood Squaresas Self - Panelist1998TVWhose Line Is It Anyway?as Self1997FilmThe Postmanas Michael1997FilmThe Sleepwalker Killingas Mark Schall1997TVJust Shoot Me!as Jake1995TVJAGas Pete "Pistol" Ayers1995TVThe Drew Carey Showas Chip1995TVThe Crewas Randy Anderson1995TVStar Trek: Voyageras Dathan1994TVERas Barry Grossman1994TVParty of Fiveas Luke1993TVDiagnosis: Murderas Joe Carter1993TVLois & Clark: The New Adventures of Supermanas Ethan Press1987TVStar Trek: The Next Generationas Divok1987TVMarried... with Childrenas Lonnie1982TVCheersas Marine—FilmSigning Dayas Coach Crew Marshall—FilmFlintas Flint