Chris Klein (actor)


Frederick Christopher Klein is an American actor who is best known for playing Chris 'Oz' Ostreicher in the American Pie comedy teen films, the serial killer Cicada on The Flash and most recently as Bill Townsend in the Netflix series Sweet Magnolias.

Early life

Klein was raised in Brookfield, Illinois. He is of German, Irish, and English descent. His mother, Terese, 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, Timothy, 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 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 steady 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, acting as Christopher Russell Ostreicher, 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. Klein reprised his role in American Pie 2 and American Reunion, but was not in American Wedding reportedly due to scheduling conflicts. In 2002, Klein had a role in the Mel Gibson Vietnam War film We Were Soldiers. 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 and American Dreamz.
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. In 2018, Klein was cast as Cicada, the main villain of the fifth season of superhero television series The Flash.

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.
Klein met Laina Rose Thyfault, a travel agent, in 2011 at a mutual friend's wedding. They got engaged in December 2014 after three years of dating and married eight months later on August 9, 2015, in Montana. In March 2016, Klein announced in a tweet that he and his wife were expecting their first child together. Their son was born in 2016. The couple also have a daughter, who was born in 2018.
Klein was arrested for drunk driving on February 5, 2005, in San Diego Countyand again in Los Angeles 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

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002The Electric PlaygroundEpisode: "Episode #8.5"
2006American Dad!Gary/Rick Episode: "With Friends Like Steve's"
2007The Valley of LightNoahTelevision movie
2008Welcome to The CaptainMarty Tanner5 episodes
2010The Good GuysDep. Chief George JenkinsEpisode: "Partners"
2011-2014WilfredDrewRecurring role, 15 episodes
2012Franklin & BashTommy DaleEpisode: "650 to SLC"
2012Raising HopeBradEpisode: "What Up, Bro?"
2012Dash 3 episodes
2015MotiveBrad CalgroveEpisode: "Pilot Error"
2015DamagedSam LuckLifetime television movie
2016IdiotsitterHimself/DJ DogheadEpisode: "Fumigation"
2016The GrinderBenjiEpisode: "Genesis"
2018–2019The FlashOrlin Dwyer / CicadaMain role, 16 episodes
2020-PresentSweet MagnoliasBill TownsendMain role, Netflix

Awards and nominations

Chicago Film Critics Association
Teen Choice Awards
Young Hollywood Awards