Frederick Christopher "
Chris"
Klein (born March 14, 1979) is an American
movieA film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Chris "Oz" Ostreicher in the
1999The year 1999 in film involved several noteworthy events and has been called "The Year That Changed Movies". Several significant feature films, including Stanley Kubrick's final film Eyes Wide Shut, Pedro Almodóvar's first Oscar-winning film All About My Mother, science fiction The Matrix, Deep...
film
American PieAmerican Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
and its sequel
American Pie 2American Pie 2 is a 2001 comedy film and sequel to American Pie and is the second film in the American Pie film series. It was written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg, and directed by J. B. Rogers. The film picks up the story of the four friends from the first film as they reunite during the...
.
Early life
Klein was born and raised in
Omaha, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
, the son of Terese, a
kindergartenA kindergarten is a preschool educational institution for children. The term was created by Friedrich Fröbel for the play and activity institute that he created in 1837 in Bad Blankenburg as a social experience for children for their transition from home to school...
teacher, and Fred Klein, an
engineerAn engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...
. 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, NebraskaOmaha is the largest city in the state of Nebraska, United States, and is the county seat of Douglas County. It is located in the Midwestern United States on the Missouri River, about 20 miles north of the mouth of the Platte River...
. At
Millard West High SchoolMillard West High School is a public high school located in Omaha, Nebraska. The school first opened its doors on August 17, 1995. Currently, Millard West High School is the second largest school within the Millard Public Schools district. In 2002, the school was designated as a National Blue...
, Klein acted in his high school's performance of
West Side Story, played cornerback and linebacker for the football team, and swam for Tracy Stauffer on the Millard West Swim Team. In his senior year, Klein was offered his first professional acting job by director
Alexander PayneAlexander Payne, born Alexander Constantine Papadopoulos is an American film director and screenwriter. His films are noted for their dark humor and satirical depictions of contemporary American society.- Early life :...
, who was scouting Omaha, his hometown, as a potential filming location for the film
ElectionElection is a 1999 American comedy film adapted from a 1998 novel of the same title by Tom Perrotta. The plot revolves around a three-way election race in high school, and satirizes both suburban high school life and politics...
. He attended
Texas Christian University (TCU)Texas Christian University is a private, coeducational university located in Fort Worth, Texas, United States and founded in 1873. TCU is affiliated with, but not governed by, the Disciples of Christ...
in Fort Worth, Texas.
Career
After auditioning for
Election, Payne chose Klein and they began filming. In April 1999, the film was released 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 AlphaLambda Chi Alpha is one of the largest men's secret general fraternities in North America, having initiated more than 280,000 members and held chapters at more than 300 universities. It is a member of the North-American Interfraternity Conference and was founded by Warren A. Cole, while he was a...
fraternity. He was next seen in
American PieAmerican Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
, which opened on July 9, 1999, and was a box office success. The role of the American Pie films in initiating and developing the 'teen movie' genre has led to its characters, namely Sean William Scott who played Steve Stifler but also Klein,
Jason BiggsJason Matthew Biggs is an American actor who is best known for his role as Jim Levenstein in the American Pie series of teen comedy films.-Personal life:...
,
Eddie Kaye ThomasEddie Kaye Thomas is an American film, television, and stage actor who rose to prominence in 1999 as Paul Finch in the American Pie film series.-Early life:Thomas was born in Staten Island, NY...
and
Thomas Ian NicholasThomas Ian Nicholas is an American film actor, singer, musician, producer, director, and writer. Nicholas is best known for playing Henry Rowengartner in Rookie of the Year and Kevin Myers in the American Pie film series....
, retaining a cult following. Klein's role as Chris Ostreicher as a jock-turned-gentleman has been cited as one of the moral cornerstones of the film series, as it sees a cocky, inward-looking teenager become a sensitive, out-going man. Klein has subsequently appeared in several teen movies, with the most recent including
Just Friends (2005) and
American DreamzAmerican Dreamz is a 2006 comedy/parody film that satirizes both American politics and popular entertainment.Director/producer/writer Paul Weitz has stated that the movie is meant to satirize both the TV show American Idol and the Bush Administration...
(2006).
Personal life
In January 2000, Klein and actress
Katie HolmesKatherine Noelle "Katie" Holmes is an American actress who first achieved fame for her role as Joey Potter on The WB television teen drama Dawson's Creek from 1998 to 2003. Her movie roles have included the blockbuster Batman Begins along with art house films such as The Ice Storm and thrillers...
began dating. He proposed to her in 2004, but the two broke off the engagement in early 2005.
Klein was arrested for drunk driving on February 5, 2005 in San Diego County. Klein was arrested again in
Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
on June 16, 2010, for driving while drunk. On June 21, 2010, it was announced that Klein had checked into the
Cirque LodgeCirque Lodge is a for-profit addiction facility located in Sundance, Utah founded in 1999 by Richard Losee. In 2002, Cirque Lodge opened a second facility in Orem, Utah in a former television studio. The facilities combined hold a maximum of 56 patients....
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
Film
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 1999 |
ElectionElection is a 1999 American comedy film adapted from a 1998 novel of the same title by Tom Perrotta. The plot revolves around a three-way election race in high school, and satirizes both suburban high school life and politics...
|
Paul Metzler |
|
| 1999 |
American PieAmerican Pie is a 1999 teen comedy film written by Adam Herz. American Pie was the directorial film debut of brothers Paul and Chris Weitz, and the first film in the American Pie film series...
|
Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher |
|
| 2000 |
Here on Earth |
Kelvin 'Kelley' Morse |
|
| 2001 |
Say It Isn't So |
Gilbert Noble |
|
| 2001 |
American Pie 2 American Pie 2 is a 2001 comedy film and sequel to American Pie and is the second film in the American Pie film series. It was written by Adam Herz and David H. Steinberg, and directed by J. B. Rogers. The film picks up the story of the four friends from the first film as they reunite during the...
|
Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher |
|
| 2002 |
RollerballRollerball is a 2002 remake of the 1975 science-fiction film of the same name. This updated version stars Chris Klein, LL Cool J, Rebecca Romijn and Jean Reno, was directed by John McTiernan and has a much greater concentration on action with more muted social and political overtones...
|
Jonathan Cross |
|
| 2002 |
We Were SoldiersWe Were Soldiers is a 2002 American war film that dramatizes the Battle of Ia Drang on November 14, 1965. The film was directed by Randall Wallace and stars Mel Gibson. It is based on the book We Were Soldiers Once… And Young by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and reporter Joseph L...
|
2nd Lt. Jack Geoghegan |
|
| 2003 |
The United States of LelandThe United States of Leland is a 2003 American drama film by director Matthew Ryan Hoge and producer Kevin Spacey about a meek teenaged boy named Leland P. Fitzgerald who has inexplicably committed a shocking murder...
|
Allen Harris |
|
| 2005 |
Tilt-A-Whirl |
Customer#2 |
Short film |
| 2005 |
Just Friends |
Dusty Dinkleman |
|
| 2005 |
The Long WeekendThe Long Weekend is a 2005 Canadian film starring Chris Klein and Brendan Fehr as two brothers, Cooper and Ed Waxman . It also stars Paul Campbell, Chandra West, and Cobie Smulders.-Plot:...
|
Cooper |
|
| 2006 |
American DreamzAmerican Dreamz is a 2006 comedy/parody film that satirizes both American politics and popular entertainment.Director/producer/writer Paul Weitz has stated that the movie is meant to satirize both the TV show American Idol and the Bush Administration...
|
William Williams |
|
| 2006 |
Lenexa, 1 Mile |
Andy Lausier |
|
| 2007 |
The Good Life The Good Life is a 2007 film written and directed by Stephen Berra, starring Mark Webber, Zooey Deschanel, Patrick Fugit, Bill Paxton, Drea de Matteo, Harry Dean Stanton, and Chris Klein.-Plot:...
|
Tad |
|
| 2007 |
Day Zero Day Zero is a 2007 American film directed by Bryan Gunnar Cole and written by Robert Malkani. Set in the near future when global terrorism has forced the military to reinstate the draft, three young men, who have just received their induction notices and have 30 days to report for duty, must...
|
George Rifkin |
|
| 2007 |
New York City Serenade New York City Serenade is a 2007 comedy-drama film written and directed by Frank Whaley and starring Freddie Prinze, Jr., Chris Klein and Jamie-Lynn Sigler. It made its debut at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.-Plot:...
|
Ray |
|
| 2008 |
Hank and MikeHank and Mike is a 2008 comedy film directed by Matthiew Klinck, from a screenplay written by Paolo Mancini and Thomas Michael. The film tells the story of two blue-collar Easter Bunnies who get fired and try their hand at an assortment of odd jobs....
|
Conrad Hubriss |
|
| 2009 |
Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li is the second live-action film based on the Street Fighter series of video games. It follows the quest of Street Fighter character Chun-Li, who is portrayed by Kristin Kreuk. The story follows Chun-Li's personal history and her journey for justice. The film...
|
Charlie Nash |
|
| 2009 |
The Six Wives of Henry Lefay The Six Wives of Henry Lefay is a 2009 American comedy film starring Elisha Cuthbert and Tim Allen. A grieving daughter tries to arrange her father's funeral, while putting up with all of his ex-wives...
|
|
|
| 2009 |
Play Dead Play Dead is a movie released in 2009 written by Jason Wiles and Shem Bitterman, directed by Jason Wiles and starring Chris Klein, Fred Durst, and Jake Busey.The story is about Ronnie Reno , a former TV action star in need of a comeback...
|
Ronnie Reno |
Direct-to-video Direct-to-video is a term used to describe a film that has been released to the public on home video formats without being released in film theaters or broadcast on television...
|
| 2009 |
Caught in the Crossfire Caught in the Crossfire is 2010 American crime drama film directed by Brian A Miller. It stars Chris Klein, Adam Rodriguez, and 50 Cent. The film was released direct-to-DVD on July 20, 2010....
|
Briggs |
|
| 2012 |
The Wild Bunch |
John (Mary's Dad) |
Voice role, In production |
| 2012 |
American Reunion For the fourth installment in the American Pie series, see American Pie Presents: Band CampAmerican Reunion is an upcoming comedy film written and directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg...
|
Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher |
post-production |
Television
| Year |
Title |
Role |
Notes |
| 2002 |
The Electric PlaygroundThe Electric Playground is a daily news television show on the cable TV network G4 that covers movies, TV shows, comic books, collectibles and gadgets...
|
|
1 episode |
| 2006 |
American Dad!American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
|
Gary/Rick |
Voice role
1 episode, With Friends Like Steve's |
| 2007 |
The Valley of Light |
Noah |
CBS CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
Television movieA television film is a feature film that is a television program produced for and originally distributed by a television network, in contrast to...
|
| 2008 |
Welcome to The Captain Welcome to The Captain is an American television comedy created, executive produced and directed by John Hamburg. Andrew Reich and Ted Cohen also serve as executive producers...
|
Marty Tanner |
5 episodes |
| 2010 |
The Good Guys The Good Guys is an American sitcom which aired on CBS from September 25, 1968 to January 23, 1970. 42 color episodes were filmed in all. As with The Governor & J.J. and Get Smart, it was produced by Talent Associates and CBS Productions...
|
Dep. Chief George Jenkins |
1 episode |
| 2011 |
Wilfred Wilfred is an American sitcom television series which debuted on June 23, 2011, and is based on the Australian SBS One series of the same name. It stars Elijah Wood and series co-creator Jason Gann, reprising his role of the eponymous dog Wilfred. The series was adapted for the American television...
|
Drew |
|
Awards and nominations
Chicago Film Critics AssociationThe Chicago Film Critics Association is an American film critic association.-Members:Current members include:*Sarah Knight Adamson*Zbigniew Banas*Shelley Cameron*Dave Canfield*Vittorio Carli*Erik Childress*Camerin Courtney*Bonnie DeShong...
- 2000: Nominated, "Most Promising Actor" - American Pie
Teen Choice AwardsThe Teen Choice Awards, are an annual awards show that air on the Fox cable channel, that honor the year's biggest biggest achievements in music, movies, sports, television, fashion and more, voted by teen viewers aged 14 through 17. Winners receive an authentic full size surfboard designed with...
- 2000: Nominated, "Choice Breakout Performance" - American Pie
- 2000: Nominated, "Choice Liar" - American Pie
Young Hollywood Awards
- 2001: Won, "Male Superstar of Tomorrow"
External links