Who is Chris Klein?
Chris Klein is an American actor, who is probably most famous for portraying the character of Chris ‘Oz’ Ostreicher in several installments of the comedy film franchise “American Pie”. Additionally, he is widely recognized for appearing in movies such as “We Were Soldiers” (2002), “The Long Weekend” (2005) and “Day Zero” (2007) as well as in TV series including “Wilfred” and “The Flash”.
Early Life, Childhood and Education
Frederick Christopher ‘Chris’ Klein was born under the zodiac sign of Pisces on the 14th March 1979, in Hinsdale, Illinois, the middle child of a kindergarten teacher Terese (née Bergen) and an engineer Fred Klein. He has an older sister named Debbie, born in 1978, and a younger brother named Timothy, born in 1982. Apart from being of American nationality and white ethnicity, Chris is also of German as well as of part-Irish origin through his mother’s side.
At his age of 13, his family relocated to Omaha, Nebraska, where he was educated at Millard West High School. During his high school years, he was involved not only within its theatre section but the Millard West Swim Team as well, being also active as a linebacker of the school’s American Football team. Upon completing his secondary education, Chris enrolled at Texas Christian University.
Acting career
Chris’ on-screen acting career began in 1999, when he was cast in the Oscar-nominated comedy drama movie “Election”, in which he appeared opposite Matthew Broderick and Reese Witherspoon. However, to greater prominence he came later that year when he starred as Oz in the teenage comedy movie “American Pie”. For this performance he was rewarded with two Young Hollywood Awards, in 2000 and 2001, and was honored with the flattering ‘Superstar of Tomorrow’ accolade.
With his popularity on the rise, he appeared in leading roles in movies “Here on Earth” and “Say It Isn’t So”, before starring in the “American Pie” sequel in 2001, simply entitled “American Pie 2”.
In 2002 he appeared opposite Mel Gibson in the critically acclaimed historic war drama movie “We Were Soldiers”, which was followed by a side role in the drama movie “The United States of Leland” in 2003. In the 2005 comedy movie “The Long Weekend” Chris starred in the role of the leading protagonist, while in 2006 he made his voice acting debut in an episode of the TV animated comedy series “American Dad!”.
In 2007 Klein was cast as the main character of Noah in the Primetime Emmy nominated TV drama film “The Valley of Light”, after which he starred opposite Elijah Wood in the drama movie “Day Zero”. In 2008 Klein was cast for the recurring role of Marty Tanner in the TV comedy series “Welcome to the Captain”, after which he guest starred in the comedy film “The Six Wives of Henry Lefay”. In 2011 he began appearing in the recurring role of Drew in the TV comedy drama series “Wilfred”, which he occasionally reprised through the show’s four-season-long run, ’til 2014.
After reprising the role of Oz in the fourth motion picture of the “American Pie” movie franchise named “American Reunion” in 2012, Chris Klein made a streak of small-screen guest appearances in TV series such as “Franklin & Bash”, “Raising Hope” and “TRON: Uprising“. All these were followed by a series of brief appearances in a couple of TV series, as well as in several critically booed movies, until in 2018 he was cast for the recurring role of Cicada – the main villain of the fifth season of The CW TV’s action fantasy series “The Flash”, based on the eponymous DC Comics’ series of superhero comic books.
Personal Life
In January 2000, Chris began dating a colleague, American actress Katie Holmes. After almost three years of dating, in December 2003 the couple announced their engagement, however, in March 2005 they called it off and parted ways. Between 2006 and 2008, Klein was dating an actress Ginnifer Goodwin.
In 2011, Chris met Laina-Rose Thyfault, began their relationship, and three years later in December 2014 the couple became engaged, while eight months after that they tied the knot.
Their outdoor wedding ceremony was held on the 9th August 2015 and took place at the Rainbow Ranch in Big Sky, Montana. In July 2016 the couple was blessed with their firstborn child, a son named Frederick Easton Klein while in May 2018 they welcomed their second child, a daughter named Isla Rose Klein.
Apart from being a successful actor, Klein had faced some law issues on several occasions in the past – for driving under the influence he was arrested in February 2005, and again in June 2010 and spent some time in jail. Additionally, he was struggling with alcohol addiction, and in June 2010 he voluntarily checked himself in for rehab at the Cirque Lodge in Orem, Utah.
This year I was given more than I ever thought possible. So very grateful for 2015 and my beautiful wife. Laina and I wish you all the happiest of New Year!
Posted by Chris Klein on Thursday, 31 December 2015
The 41-year-old American actor maintains a slim and masculine figure, and is standing 6ft 1ins (1.85m) and weighing around 176lbs (80kg).
Net Worth
According to authoritative sources, it is estimated that as of mid-2020, the total size of Chris Klein’s wealth revolves around an enviable sum of $3 million, which has been acquired entirely through his prominent acting career that is currently spanning over 20 years, being active since 1999.
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