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Rhinebeck’s own Charles Derbyshire Traces a Life from Theater to Television to Town

Episode 225: Rhinebeck’s own Charles Derbyshire Traces a Life from Theater to Television to Town

West Virginia roots, a Hatfield bloodline, 15 years acting, executive stints at Bravo and the BBC, and 20 years running a spirits shop. Charles Derbyshire has lived a few lives.

Show notes

Norm sits down with Charles Derbyshire, who shares the story behind pronouncing his surname, his upbringing in Huntington, West Virginia, and reflections on the region’s hardship, opioids, and shifting economy centered on education and healthcare. He talks about Marshall University family ties, Appalachian identity, Hatfield lineage, and how his accent changed after years of acting training. The conversation ranges from Cajun martinis and Charles’s love of cooking—especially his gumbo—to high school basketball, his sons’ paths (one teaching at a refugee center in Cairo and one pursuing a PhD in astrophysics), and a beloved local tennis community. Charles also recounts his 15-year acting career, standout experimental theater work, world travel with Orbis International, television executive roles at Bravo/NBC and the BBC, and selling his Rhinebeck spirits shop after 20 years.

Produced by Norm Magnusson, Jennifer Hammoud, and Matty Rosenberg @ radiofreerhinecliff.org

Send comments to comments@radiofreerhinecliff.org

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Charles Derbyshire

Charles Derbyshire

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