In The Morning Show, new characters frequently shake up the power dynamics at the UBN network. The latest to cause trouble for Alex Levy is Zeke Pemberton, a powerful oil tycoon who threatens the network’s financial stability. The character is brought to life by veteran actor Richard Burgi, who makes his first appearance in the show’s fourth season.
Who Is Zeke Pemberton on The Morning Show?
Zeke Pemberton is a wealthy businessman who owns a fuel company and spends a significant amount of money on advertisements at UBN. He enters the scene in Season 4, Episode 3, titled “Tipping Point.” During a broadcast, Alex Levy covers a climate protest and calls out Pemberton’s company for pretending to be eco-friendly. This action angers Zeke, who then threatens to pull all of his advertisements from the network.
This creates a major crisis for UBN, which relies heavily on ad revenue. Network executives Celine and Stella instruct Alex to fix the situation, forcing her to personally apologize to Zeke at a business seminar. The oil tycoon makes it clear that he is upset and does not forgive easily. The situation grows more complicated when Alex runs into her ex-boyfriend, Paul Marks, who is also working with Zeke and offers her a way out.
Who Is Actor Richard Burgi?
The actor behind the formidable Zeke Pemberton is Richard Burgi. Burgi is a seasoned actor with a career in film and television stretching back to the 1980s. He was born on July 30, 1958, in Montclair, New Jersey. Coming from a musical family, he initially participated in community theater before beginning his professional acting career in the mid-1980s.
Burgi is perhaps best known for his leading role as Detective Jim Ellison in the 1990s UPN crime drama The Sentinel, a part that brought him wide recognition. He has also been a familiar face in daytime television, with roles on popular soap operas like Another World and Days of Our Lives, where he played Philip Collier from 1992 to 1993. More recently, he returned to soaps, playing Ashland Locke on The Young and the Restless from 2021 to 2022.
Richard Burgi’s Notable Film and TV Projects
Beyond his daytime and genre work, Richard Burgi has built a substantial career with numerous appearances in both television series and films. His film credits include roles in Friday the 13th, Hostel: Part II, and Starship Troopers 2: Hero of the Federation. He also appeared in the comedy Fun with Dick and Jane alongside Jim Carrey.
On television, Burgi has made recurring or guest appearances on a wide array of popular shows. His resume includes One Tree Hill, Desperate Housewives, 24, Judging Amy, and Body of Proof. He has also had episodic roles in Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, and CSI: Miami, demonstrating his versatility across different genres.
The Morning Show’s Continuing Drama
The Morning Show is an Apple TV+ drama that provides an inside look at the complex lives of the people behind a popular morning news program. The series stars Jennifer Aniston as Alex Levy and Reese Witherspoon as Bradley Jackson. The show began by exploring the fallout after a co-anchor is fired due to sexual misconduct allegations, and has since tackled other major themes, including the COVID-19 pandemic and corporate power struggles.
The character of Zeke Pemberton is a new addition to the show’s fourth season, which sees the newly merged UBN network navigating fresh challenges. The season also introduces other new characters, including President Celine Dumont, played by Marion Cotillard. The series continues to be a major draw for Apple TV+, which has already renewed it for a fifth season.
Also Read: The Morning Show Season 4, Episode 3: Cory and Bradley’s Romance Finally Happens
