Richard Webber, M.D., Ph.D., F.A.C.S., is a fictional character from the ABC medical drama television series Grey's Anatomy. The character was created by Shonda Rhimes and is portrayed by actor James Pickens Jr. since the series' inception in 2005. Webber serves as the Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace Mercy West Hospital (initially Seattle Grace) for 12 years, playing a significant role in shaping the hospital's dynamics. In season 6, Webber is forced to resign from his position due to his struggles with alcoholism and is temporarily replaced by Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey). He later reclaims the role of chief in Season 7 but resigns again in Season 8 to protect Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo) from the consequences of a major clinical trial violation. Despite stepping down, Webber continues as a General Surgery attending, where his experience and legacy still earn him the respectful title of "Chief" from his colleagues.

Richard's character arc includes becoming the head of the residency program, where he mentors aspiring surgeons. His wisdom and guidance shape the next generation of doctors at the hospital. In Season 17, Richard ascends to the prestigious position of Chief of Chiefs of the Catherine Fox Foundation, further solidifying his leadership role within the medical community.

One of Webber's most significant character struggles is his battle with alcoholism, which has been explored throughout the series, especially in seasons 6 and 15. His addiction affects his professional life and his relationships, particularly with his wife Adele (Loretta Devine). Webber's complicated personal life is further impacted by a long-standing affair with Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), Meredith's mother, which happened before the series began. This affair has lasting consequences, including the discovery that Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), a surgeon at the hospital, is his biological daughter. His relationships with Adele, Meredith, and Maggie become central to his emotional and professional journey throughout the series.

Richard Webber was born in 1954, the eldest of three children. His siblings include his brother Chris Webber, a former hardware store owner, and an unnamed younger sister. Chris is the father of Richard's niece, Sabrina, who has since died. Richard's mother, Gail Webber, was a music teacher and former receptionist who played the cello. Gail was born in 1918 and died from colon cancer at the age of 46 when Richard was only ten years old, around 1964.

Richard's relationship with his siblings is strained, as they believe he looks down on them due to his career as a doctor. While the exact motivation for Richard's decision to pursue a career in medicine has never been fully explored, it is heavily implied that his mother's diagnosis and death from colon cancer had a significant influence on his choice to become a doctor and surgeon.

Richard married his wife, Adele (Loretta Devine), on Valentine's Day. During the residency at Seattle Grace, Richard had an affair with Ellis Grey (Kate Burton), Meredith Grey's (Ellen Pompeo) mother, despite both being married to other people at the time. Although Ellis left her husband in hopes of being with Richard, he ultimately could not bring himself to leave Adele. Decades later, Richard discovered that Adele had known about the affair all along but chose to stay with him. He later confessed that he ended the affair because he felt Ellis deserved better and that he carried too much emotional baggage. However, in Season 11, Richard admitted to Meredith that his ego and jealousy of Ellis' success as a surgeon played a significant role in the affair's end.

After completing his residency at Seattle Grace, Richard left to complete his fellowship. However, the show has continuity errors regarding where Richard built his career. At one point, Richard claims that, aside from his fellowship, he spent his entire career at Seattle Grace. Yet it is also established that he taught and befriended Derek Shepherd and Addison Montgomery, which suggests that a significant part of his career was spent in New York, possibly at Manhattan-based hospitals. The majority of references in the show, as well as external sources, imply that Richard spent a good portion of his professional life in Manhattan before returning to Seattle Grace. Additionally, it is shown that Richard graduated from Northwestern University, as evidenced by the degree displayed in his office.

The enigmatic Chief of Surgery at Seattle Grace is a leading figure in the show. Always vigilant, seeking and trying new things, his ambition is to see Seattle Grace as the top surgical program in the country. This sometimes leads him to make daring decisions. In Season 1, the surgical program is presented as one of the best in the United States. Later in the series, his wife Adele (Loretta Devine) asks him to retire, forcing him to choose between his career and their marriage. He tries to skirt around it, but Adele, tired of waiting, makes her choice and leaves him. He moves out and sleeps in his office for a short time. Since he learned of Ellis Grey's (Kate Burton) Alzheimer's diagnosis, Richard began visiting her regularly, but upon deciding to attempt a reconciliation with Adele, he realizes that he can no longer continue his emotional affair with Ellis. He attempts to patch things up with his wife, but is stunned to find out that she has apparently moved on to someone else. In the meantime, Richard makes plans to retire and must name his successor. He first thought of recommending Dr. Preston Burke (Isaiah Washington) as his successor, but after the secret of Burke's tremor and cover-up came out, that plan is put on hold. Nevertheless, he tells the hospital board of his retirement but has yet to name his successor; Dr. Derek Shepherd (Patrick Dempsey), Preston, Dr. Addison Montgomery (Kate Walsh) and Dr. Mark Sloan (Eric Dane) are all eagerly clamoring for the post. Richard eventually chooses Derek, but Derek tells Richard that he should remain chief.