In Lost, which actor played Richard Alpert?

In Lost, Richard Alpert was played by Nestor Carbonell.

Carbonell portrayed Richard as a mysterious adviser associated with the island’s long history and with the Others. Richard appears to remain unusually young across many decades, making his identity and past a central mystery for much of the series.

The character’s backstory is explored especially in the episode “Ab Aeterno,” which reveals that Richard was originally a nineteenth-century sailor named Ricardo. Carbonell’s performance helped connect the character’s calm authority with his tragic personal history.

Richard is sometimes confused with Benjamin Linus, played by Michael Emerson, because both are important leaders within the Others’ hierarchy. They are different characters, and Richard predates Ben’s leadership. Carbonell also appeared in other television series, including Bates Motel and The Morning Show.