Frederick Christopher "Chris" Klein (born March 14, 1979) is an American actor who is best known for playing Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher in the American Pie comedy teen films.
Early life
Klein was raised in Brookfield, Illinois. He is of German, Irish, and English descent. His mother, Terese (née Bergen), is a kindergarten teacher, and his father, Fred Klein, is an engineer. Klein was the second of three children. His older sister Debbie was born in 1978, and his younger brother was born in 1982. As a child, Klein had his first on stage experience by singing This Little Light of Mine in a community theater at the Sheraton Convention Center in Chicago. He lived in the town for thirteen years before his family moved to Omaha, Nebraska. At Millard West High School in Omaha, Klein acted in his high school's performance of West Side Story, played cornerback and linebacker for the football team, and swam on the Millard West Swim Team. In his senior year, Klein was offered his first professional acting job by director Alexander Payne, who was scouting Omaha, his hometown, as a potential filming location for the film Election. He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas.
Career
After auditioning for Election, Payne chose Klein and they began filming. The film was released in April 1999 to positive reviews. Soon after, Klein found a steady amount of work in the film industry while briefly attending TCU, where he studied theater and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He was next seen in American Pie, which opened on July 9, 1999, and was a box office success. The following year Klein starred in Here on Earth alongside LeeLee Sobieski and Josh Hartnett (2000). Klein reprised his American Pie role in American Pie 2 (2001) and American Reunion (2012), but was not in the third installment, American Wedding, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. In 2002, Klein had a role in the Mel Gibson Vietnam War film, We Were Soldiers. In 2002, Klein starred in the 2002 remake of the film Rollerball, but the film was a massive critical and financial failure. Klein has also appeared in several teen movies, including Just Friends (2005), American Dreamz (2006).
In 2014, Klein was cast as an American pilot in the Damien Lay film The Uberkanone. He co-starred in the 2014 comedy indie film Authors Anonymous with Kaley Cuoco.
Personal life
In January 2000, Klein and actress Katie Holmes began dating. The couple became engaged around Christmas of 2003. The couple called off the engagement and ended their relationship in March 2005. Since 2011, Klein has dated Laina Rose Thyfault, a marketing director from Texas.
Klein was arrested for drunk driving on February 5, 2005 in San Diego County. and again in Los Angeles, California on June 16, 2010. On June 21, 2010, it was announced that Klein had checked into the Cirque Lodge to begin a 30-day alcohol addiction program. Klein's publicist explained that "after recent events, Chris was forced to take a clear look at a problem he has been trying to deal with himself for years. He understands now that he cannot beat this disease alone."
Filmography
Awards and nominations
- Chicago Film Critics Association
- 2000: Nominated, "Most Promising Actor" â€" American Pie
- Teen Choice Awards
- 2000: Nominated, "Choice Breakout Performance" â€" American Pie
- 2000: Nominated, "Choice Liar" â€" American Pie
- Young Hollywood Awards
- 2001: Won, "Male Superstar of Tomorrow"
References
External links
- Chris Klein at the Internet Movie Database