What Happened to Eric Close, Star of FBI: Missing Persons and Nashville?

Eric Close, once a prominent figure in American television, is best remembered for his roles in FBI: Missing Persons and Nashville. But what has he been up to since the conclusion of these popular series?

Fans of FBI: Missing Persons on France 2 will surely recall Eric Close’s memorable portrayal of Martin Fitzgerald. Additionally, country music enthusiasts recognized him from his role in Nashville. However, many are left wondering about his journey after these two significant projects.

Iconic Roles on Television

CBS

To provide a bit of context, in FBI: Missing Persons, Close played Martin Fitzgerald, an FBI agent working under Jack Malone. Initially, Fitzgerald is viewed by his colleagues as someone who got the job due to nepotism—his father being the deputy director of the FBI. However, their relationship is more complex than it appears. Close remained with the series from its premiere until its conclusion in season seven in 2009.

After wrapping up his role in FBI, Close made a brief appearance in the first season of American Horror Story, featuring in two episodes, and later took on a recurring role in Suits. Three years after FBI, he landed a regular part as the former mayor of Nashville, who finds himself imprisoned for embezzlement.

What’s Next for Eric Close?

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Following three seasons in Nashville, Close's appearances became less frequent in the fourth and fifth seasons, allowing him the opportunity to explore other avenues. In film, he worked with Clint Eastwood, portraying a representative from the Defense Intelligence Agency in American Sniper (2014), and later starred alongside Adrian Paul in Christmas Crime Story (2016).

Close also ventured into directing, a skill he had previously honed while working on FBI and Nashville. Between 2018 and 2021, he directed five Christmas telefilms for Hallmark. More recently, he starred in Average Joe (2024) and participated in the Christmas film All Is Merry and Bright (2025), where he acted alongside Emily Rose. This project remains his latest endeavor to date.

It’s worth noting that Close began his acting career in 1991 with a guest appearance in MacGyver (S07E04) and quickly found a role in the soap opera Santa Barbara, which aired from 1992 to 1993. His early career was shaped by two notable series: the sci-fi show Un agent très secret (1999-2000), where he played the lead, and the Western series Les Sept mercenaires (1998-2000), in which he portrayed 'Vin', a character originally played by Steve McQueen in the film by John Sturges.

Close’s journey through the television landscape has certainly been noteworthy, and his contributions to both acting and directing continue to resonate with fans of his earlier work.