Richard Lear was born in Fayetteville, Arkansas. His first film job was as a Union Soldier in the Columbia Pictures Mini-Series, The Blue and The Gray, while he was in high school. Andrew V. McLaglen must have taken a shine to him because he allowed him to die numerous times in the series. This film inspired a lifetime of acting. His career has been spent primarily on the New York stage. He received the front page of the New York Times Arts Section and numerous other publications for his portrayal of Bruce Niles in 'The Normal Heart'.

He is the Founder and President of Little Ricky Productions, Inc., a feature film production company inspired by the deaths of James Byrd Jr. and Matthew Shepard.