[1] His father, Gerry de Klerk is a businessman from the Netherlands and his mother, Irene Nelson, is Canadian.

He appeared as Will Scarlett in the film Beyond Sherwood Forest opposite Erica Durance and Julian Sands, guest starred in The 4400 and the Andie Macdowell series Cedar Cove.

His other television works include recurring roles in Strange Empire, Reign and Motive.

He was nominated for three Leo Awards, including Best Lead Performance by a Male in a Feature Length Drama for Cole in 2010.

A notice of civil claim in BC Supreme Court was filed by Fred and Katarina Kranz for fraud and unjust enrichment towards Richard's father Gerry de Klerk and mother Irene Nelson, and against Richard and his sister Melanie DeKlerk for conversion and civil conspiracy.