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| Richard Webber | |
|---|---|
| Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, and Station 19 character | |
 The season nine promotional photograph of James Pickens, Jr. as Dr. Richard Webber | |
| First appearance | "A Hard Day's Night" (1.01) March 27, 2005 |
| Created by | Shonda Rhimes |
| Portrayed by | James Pickens, Jr. |
| In-universe information | |
| Title | M.D. F.A.C.S. |
| Occupation | Attending General Surgeon Chief Medical Officer Board Member (Former) Chief of Surgery (Former) Director of the Residency Program (Former) |
| Family |
|
| Spouse | Adele Webber
(m. 1979; died 2012)Catherine Fox (m. 2016) |
| Significant other | Ellis Grey (ex-affair) |
| Children | Miscarriage (with Adele) Maggie Pierce |
| Relatives | Sabrina "Sabi" Webber (niece, deceased) |
Richard Webber, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. The character was created by Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actor James Pickens Jr. since the series' inception in 2005. Webber serves as the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital (initially Seattle Grace) for 12 years, playing a significant role in shaping the hospital's dynamics. In season 6, Webber is forced to resign from his position due to his struggles with alcoholism and is temporarily replaced by Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). He later reclaims the role of chief in Season 7 but resigns again in Season 8 to protect Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) from the consequences of a major clinical trial violation. Despite stepping down, Webber continues as a General Surgery attending, where his experience and legacy still earn him the respectful title of "Chief" from his colleagues.
Richard's character arc includes becoming the head of the residency program, where he mentors aspiring surgeons. His wisdom and guidance shape the next generation of doctors at the hospital. In Season 17, Richard ascends to the prestigious position of Chief of Chiefs of the Catherine Fox Foundation, further solidifying his leadership role within the medical community.
One of Webber's most significant character struggles is his battle with alcoholism, which has been explored throughout the series, especially in seasons 6 and 15. His addiction affects his professional life and his relationships, particularly with his wife Adele (Loretta Devine). Webber's complicated personal life is further impacted by a long-standing affair with Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), Meredith's mother, which happened before the series began. This affair has lasting consequences, including the discovery that Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), a surgeon at the hospital, is his biological daughter. His relationships with Adele, Meredith, and Maggie become central to his emotional and professional journey throughout the series.