Born in New York City, Richard grew up in the small town of Congers, New York, as the middle child in a family of nine — just enough players for a baseball game.  However, Richard found a different game to play — show business.  At an early age he became addicted to watching old films, especially the great Hollywood musicals.  He dreamed of becoming a movie star. He literally taught himself how to sing by listening to the recordings of Fred Astaire, Judy Garland, and Bing Crosby and by watching their films.  Richard’s chance to see whether he could really sing happened when he was a freshman in high school.  He believed enough in himself to audition for the school production of  How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying with the song “I Believe In You.”  The result was “they” believed in him and gave him a role in the show.  This began a life-long love affair with performing. After high school he studied music and drama at Curry College in Milton, Massachusetts. Returning to New York, he found success as an actor on such hit television series as The Sopranos and Spin City.  No stranger to daytime television, he frequently appeared in All My Children and One Life to Live.  Regional theatre productions included leading roles in Deathtrap and The Subject Was Roses.

In 1985 Richard began performing his cabaret act to enthusiastic audiences. In 2003, backed by the Tom Nelson Trio, he did a tribute to Fred Astaire by focusing on the legendary dancer’s other talents … that of a singer and a musician. The act Richard Holbrook: The Untapped Fred Astaire, directed by Rex McGraw, received critical acclaim.  In August, 2004, Richard released his first CD entitled Richard Holbrook Steps Out. This recording features several well-known songs from his Astaire show and other selections by such composers as Portia Nelson, Ronny Whyte, and Kander & Ebb. Over the past several years, Richard has appeared at such popular Manhattan night spots as Danny’s Skylight Room, Don’t Tell Mama, The Hideaway Room @Helen’s and guest appearances at the Cafe Pierre. He has also been a guest on two WOR Radio programs – The Joe Franklin Show and The Joey Reynolds Show. In 2008 and 2009, Richard successfully performed his cabaret act Richard Sings Burton – The Songs of Burton Lane at Don’t Tell Mama. The show was directed by Richard Barclay. Tom Nelson was the musical director, and Richard was accompanied by the Tom Nelson Trio. In June, 2011, he made his debut at Feinstein’s at Loews Regency. In 2012, Richard again reprised the show at The Metropolitan Room for a successful centennial salute to Burton Lane. In 2013, he was nominated for a MAC Award as Best Male Vocalist. In 2014, Richard was booked to perform an updated version of his Fred Astaire show at Don’t Tell Mama as well as his holiday show, Christmas In New York. In March, 2015, Richard will be reprising his Burton Lane show at 54 Below in Manhattan. His CD, Richard Holbrook Steps Out, is available through his e-mail at singing-cabaret@nyc.rr.com. Richard currently lives in Manhattan on the West Side and loves being a New Yorker.