Chris Carmack (born December 22, 1980) is an American actor, singer, and former fashion model. He is known for his roles in three popular television shows—the teen drama series The O.C. (2003–2004) as Luke Ward, the country music drama Nashville as Will Lexington (2012–2018), and the medical drama Grey's Anatomy (2018–present) as Dr. Atticus Lincoln.
Carmack grew up in Derwood, Maryland.[1] He has a brother and a sister. As a young boy, he played baseball, basketball, and football at Magruder High School, however; his attentions turned to theater and he began working on three productions per year, on-stage and off, in addition to competing in numerous drama festivals.
After two years in New York City, Carmack moved to Los Angeles and immersed himself in acting. He played Luke on the first season of The O.C., but did not continue because producers could not guarantee him airtime in the upcoming year.[2] In 2005, Carmack became a model for Ezra Fitch, a limited upscale label sold at Abercrombie & Fitch.
In 2006, Carmack made his London stage debut in a rare revival of Tennessee Williams' Summer and Smoke, a play that had not been performed in London for 55 years. Carmack starred opposite Rosamund Pike and was directed by former Royal Shakespeare Company artistic director Adrian Noble. It played the Apollo Theatre from October 21 – November 25, 2006, failing to complete its scheduled run.[4]
In 2013, Carmack was cast in the ABC drama series Nashville as Scarlett and Gunnar's neighbor Will, a sexy and charming country singer and guitar player.[8][9] Carmack's character initially appeared to be a womanizer and a potential threat to Scarlett and Gunnar's relationship, but it was revealed that the character is gay, and trying to protect his image as a heterosexual country music heartthrob. Carmack appeared in the final six episodes of the season, and was promoted from a recurring role to a series regular for season 2.[10]
Carmack announced his engagement to Erin Slaver on March 2, 2016.[13] They married on October 20, 2018. Their first daughter was born in August 2016,[14] and a second daughter was born in May 2022.[15]
Contributed 2 tracks: "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)" with Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson and "Right Where You Want Me" with Sam Palladio
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 4 (2018)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Tearin Up My Heart" with Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson and "My Arms" with Sam Palladio and Jonathan Jackson
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 5 (2018)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Go With It" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake and "Hold On (Not Leaving You Behind)" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 6 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "Love is Loud" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 7 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "Smoking the Boys" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 8 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "Hard Days" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 9 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "My Turn"
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 10 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "Go" with Sam Palladio, Jonathan Jackson, and Rainee Blake
Nashville, Season 6: Episode 16 (2018)
Contributed 1 track: "A Life That's Good" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Jonathan Jackson, and "A Life That's Good" with Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Ronny Cox
Contributed 2 tracks: "If It's Love" and "If Your Heart Can Handle It" with Aubrey Peeples
Nashville: On the Record Volume 2 (2015)
Contributed 3 tracks: "If I Drink This Beer" with Will Chase, "If Your Heart Can Handle It" with Aubrey Peeples and "Friend of Mine" with the Nashville cast
Contributed 2 tracks: "Stand Up" and "Little Darlin'" with Clare Bowen
The Music of Nashville: Season 6, Volume 1 (2018)
Contributed 2 tracks: "Hold On (Not Leaving You Behind)" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Jonathan Jackson and "Love is Loud" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Chris Carmack
The Music of Nashville: Season 6, Volume 2 (2018)
Contributed 3 tracks: "My Turn", "Go" with Sam Palladio, Rainee Blake, and Jonathan Jackson, and "A Life That's Good" with Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton, Charles Esten, Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella, and Ronny Cox