Christopher Wealthy credited Reba McEntire for his return to performing after spending almost a decade out of the highlight.
Wealthy, 71, who initially starred alongside the nation music star in “Reba,” appeared in McEntire’s new present “Happy’s Place” on Feb. 21.
“I mean, I’ve basically taken the last decade off,” Wealthy instructed Leisure Tonight.
“And if anybody was going to drag me out of the dark corner of the closet, it would be the redhead.”
Wealthy took a break from performing after struggling a stroke in 2018.
“I feel so bizarre recovering from the stroke thing that I didn’t even want to go out of my house for a lot of the time,” he defined to the outlet.
“But, [McEntire and Melissa Peterman] got me back out. They would invite me to parties and reunion things…”
Wealthy and McEntire admitted they’ve spent lots of time watching soccer collectively on the nation music star’s residence along with her boyfriend, Rex Linn.
For Wealthy, the writers and producers of “Happy’s Place” made him “feel safe” sufficient to “trot [his] broken body out again.”
“I love these two so much,” Wealthy famous of McEntire and Peterman. “It means the world to me.”
Peterson and McEntire “were there from the beginning,” Wealthy beforehand instructed Folks journal.
“I mean, they came to my hospital bed; they sent me gifts,” he defined.
“Melissa used to come over and bring me treats all the time in the hospital,” he shares. “And she was such a great supporter.”
Proper earlier than his stroke, Wealthy starred in “The Christmas Trap” in 2018. He took on a task in “Spiked” in 2021 earlier than showing as a tattoo artist within the episode of “Happy’s Place.”
The stroke left Wealthy unable to make use of the left facet of his physique.
Nonetheless, by bodily remedy and rehab, the actor was capable of be taught to stroll and speak once more.
“It’s been a long journey,” Wealthy instructed Folks about his restoration.
“You know, I liken it to sort of climbing a marble facade of a building with your fingernails.”
“You make tiny little bits of progress, but you don’t get up there very high.”
