Richard William Burgi (born July 30, 1958) is an American film and television actor best known for the roles of Det. Jim Ellison on The Sentinel and as Karl Mayer on Desperate Housewives. Burgi was born in the suburbs of New York City in Montclair, New Jersey. His family was involved in community theatre. His brother, Chuck Burgi, is a well-known rock drummer who has most recently toured with Billy Joel. After high school, Burgi travelled through the US and Europe, taking odd jobs. Burgi began his career in New York, which led to regular roles on the Manhattan-based daytime soap operas One Life to Live, Another World and As the World Turns. After moving to Los Angeles, he starred on another soap opera, Days of Our Lives. He later received a role on Viper after a string of guest appearances on television shows, including a television film debut in Chameleons in 1989. His first lead role was in the 1994 television series One West Waikiki.

For more information press link below:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burgi