Rick Rossovich

Rick Rossovich (born Frederic Enrico Rossovich on 28 August 1957 in Palo Alto, California) is an American actor whose career spanned nearly four decades, beginning in the late 1970s and concluding in the mid‑2010s. He first emerged on the screen in the early 1980s, earning early attention with a supporting role in the drama‑thriller The Lords of Discipline (1983) and quickly establishing himself as a versatile performer capable of moving between action, comedy, and romance. His breakout role came in 1986 when he portrayed the affable navy pilot Ron “Slider” Kerner in the iconic blockbuster Top Gun, a part that cemented his place in pop‑culture and linked him forever with fellow stars Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer. Following that success, Rossovich appeared in a string of memorable films, including the sci‑fi classic The Terminator (1984) as Matt, the romantic comedy Roxanne (1987) alongside Steve Martin, and the thriller Spellbinder (1988), showcasing his ability to adapt to varied genres. In addition to his film work, Rossovich became a familiar face on television, headlining the USA Network series Pacific Blue from 1995 to 1998, a show often described as “Baywatch on bikes” that earned a loyal international following. He also contributed a recurring role as Dr. John Taglieri in the first season of the medical drama ER, and later appeared in series such as Sons and Daughters and Black Scorpion. Throughout the 1990s his career included roles in Navy SEALs (1990) and Cover Me (1995), as well as guest spots on popular programs like Tales from the Crypt and Murder, She Wrote. After a gradual slowdown, Rossovich stepped back from Hollywood in the early 2000s, relocating first to Ojai, California and later to Sweden, where he lives with his wife, Eva. Although he briefly returned for the independent comedy‑drama Sandbar (2012), he has largely embraced a private life focused on family, having married Eva and raised two children. His legacy endures through a diverse body of work that reflects both the swagger of 1980s action cinema and the earnest charm of television drama.