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Chris Wood (actor)

Christopher Charles Wood[1] (born April 14, 1988[2]) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Kai Parker in the sixth season of the CW's television series The Vampire Diaries in 2014, after previously appearing on The CW's The Carrie Diaries in the role of writer Adam Weaver in 2013. He also starred in the 2016 CW television series Containment in the starring role of Atlanta police officer Jake Riley. From 2016 to 2018, he played Mon-El on the CW superhero series Supergirl. In 2021, Wood voiced He-Man in Masters of the Universe: Revelation. In 2022, he played Russell Hammond in the Broadway musical Almost Famous.[3]

Chris Wood
Profile picture of Wood in 2017
Wood in 2019
Born
Christopher Charles Wood[1]

(1988-04-14) April 14, 1988 (age 36)
Dublin, Ohio, U.S.
EducationElon University (BFA)
OccupationActor
Years active2010–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2019)​
Children1

Early life

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Wood was born in Dublin, Ohio.[1] He attended Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, where he graduated in 2010, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theater.[4] He has been friends with actor Grant Gustin since college.[5]

Career

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Wood began his professional career in the 2010–2011 national tour of Spring Awakening as Melchoir Gabor. Between 2011 and 2012, he worked in regional theater productions of The Little Mermaid and Damn Yankees.[6][7]

In 2013, Wood made his first television appearances with the TV movie Browsers and the TNT series Major Crimes.[8] In August of the same year, it was announced Wood had joined the cast for the second season of The CW's The Carrie Diaries as Adam Weaver in a recurring role.[9]

In 2014, Wood joined the sixth season of The Vampire Diaries in a recurring role, playing the villain Malachi "Kai" Parker.[10] He left the series in 2015 to pursue other projects[11] but returned to the role on two separate occasions. He reprised the role for three episodes during The Vampire Diaries eighth and final season in 2017[12] and again in 2020 in a two-episode guest arc in the second season of the spinoff series Legacies.[13][14]

In February 2015, Wood was cast in the pilot for the drama series Containment, portraying Jake Riley, a police officer trapped inside a quarantine zone. The series was picked up to order by The CW in May.[15][16] Upon reading the pilot script, he said "I was just really drawn to the concept of this confined storyline. The characters are put in life-or-death situations that are very real—not every show has that element of stakes at that level."[17] The series consisted of 13 episodes, running from April 19 to July 16, 2016, with The CW confirming in May Containment would not return for a second season.[18] In that April it was also announced Wood had been cast in a 2-episode guest arc on the second season of the PBS period drama Mercy Street, reuniting with Carrie Diaries costar AnnaSophia Robb.[19]

On July 20, 2016, it was announced Wood had joined the cast of Supergirl as a series regular in an undisclosed role,[20] his fourth project with The CW. In August, executive producers confirmed he would be playing Mon-El in the show's upcoming second season. After being cast, Wood sat down with executive producer Greg Berlanti, who explained the character using musical theater references and as "a romantic sort of quietly good soul under this more frat boy exterior"[21] Wood left the series at the end of the third season in 2018.[22][23] He would briefly reprise the role for the 100th episode,"It's a Super Life" in 2020,[24] and in 2021 for the series finale, "Kara."[25]

In 2019, Wood wrote, directed, and produced his first short film The Stew, a comedy about a toxic marriage, starring Supergirl costar Melissa Benoist as the wife and Carlos Valdes as the husband. The Stew premiered on January 26, 2019 at the Vancouver Short Film Festival.[26][27] In August of the same year, Wood's film was selected to screen at 2019 HollyShorts Film Festival, showing on opening night.[28]

In February 2020, it was announced Wood had been cast as Leo Steadman in the pilot for Thirtysomething(else),[29] a follow up series to the ABC drama Thirtysomething. In June, the network announced the series had not been picked up to air.[30][31] Also in February 2020, Wood joined the voice cast for Kevin Smith's Masters of the Universe: Revelation series as Prince Adam/He-Man. The first series was released in two parts in July and November 2021.

Wood made his Broadway debut on November 3, 2022 in the production of Almost Famous playing Russell Hammond. The show closed on January 8, 2023 after mixed reviews and average audiences and grosses, playing a total of 30 previews and 77 shows.[32] In March 2023, Wood released his second short film, Snowshoe, on YouTube. In addition to writing, directing, and producing the short, Wood starred opposite longtime friend Grant Gustin. Wood shot the film in one long continuous take in Whistler, British Columbia in March 2021.[33]

In January 2024, Wood reprised the voice role of Prince Adam/He-Man in Masters of the Universe: Revolution, a sequel series to 2021's Masters of the Universe: Revelation.[34]

Personal life

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Wood began dating Supergirl co-star Melissa Benoist in 2017.[35] They announced their engagement in February 2019 and married on September 1, 2019 in Ojai, California.[36][37][38] They have one child, a son, born in 2020.[39][40]

Wood played baseball throughout his childhood until the end of high school, having considered pursuing the sport professionally at one point. He is a supporter of the New York Yankees.[41]

Advocacy

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Wood is an advocate for mental health causes. After his father's passing in 2011 due to a heart disease stemming from complications exacerbated by untreated and undiagnosed mood disorders, Wood turned his attention to the stigma and lack of resources surrounding mental health he felt hindered his father receiving help sooner.[42] In 2016, he began an ambassadorship with Mental Health America, speaking at that year's annual conference. Wood has since partnered with Mental Health America on multiple occasions and served on the Board of Directions from June 2019 to 2021.[43][44]

In October 2017, Wood founded IDONTMIND to promote open conversations on mental health, provide free education and resources, and raise funds for mental health programs.[45][46] The first campaign launched by Wood raised $115,000 for National Alliance on Mental Illness through a line of minimalistic tee shirts bearing the organization's name. From 2018 to 2022, he ran IDONTMIND as a program of Mental Health America.[47] Wood spearheaded the "Our Future in Mind" Summit with Mental Health America in November 2021, featuring conversations with fellow advocates Rainn Wilson, Zelda Williams, Tati Gabrielle and others on mental health.[48][49] In March 2023, Wood registered IDONTMIND as a 501(c)3 nonprofit.

Wood has openly discussed his own struggles with mental health including anxiety, depression, and ADHD.[50][51]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
2019 The Stew Writer, Director Short film
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot Blunt-Fan Cameo
2022 Clerks 3 Auditioner 9 Cameo
2023 Snowshoe Kevin Short film; Writer, Director

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Browsers Justin Television film
Major Crimes Brandon North Episode: "Poster Boy"
2013–2014 The Carrie Diaries Adam Weaver Recurring role, 6 episodes
2014 Girls Paul Episode: "Beach House"
2014–2015, 2017 The Vampire Diaries Kai Parker Recurring role (season 6); guest star (season 8)[12]
2016 Comedy Bang! Bang! Perry Daffodil Episode: "Tony Hale Wears a Blue Flannel Shirt and Fuchsia Sneakers"
Containment Jake Riley Main role
Mercy Street Cap. Lance Van Der Berg Episodes: "Balm in Gilead", "The House Guest"
2016–2018, 2020–2021 Supergirl Mon-El Main role (seasons 2–3); guest (seasons 5–6)
2017 The Flash Mon-El / Tommy Moran Episode: "Duet"
2020 Legacies Kai Parker Episodes: "Kai Parker Screwed Us", "You Can't Save Them All"[13]
2021, 2024 Masters of the Universe: Revelation Prince Adam / He-Man, Sailor Main voice role[52]

Stage

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Year Title Role Venue Ref
2010-11 Spring Awakening Melchior Gabor Second National Tour [53]
2011 The Little Mermaid Prince Eric Music Theatre Wichita [54]
2012 Damn Yankees Joe Hardy Paper Mill Playhouse ; 5th Avenue Theatre [55]
2018 Terms of Endearment Flap Horton Geffen Playhouse [56]
2022 Almost Famous Russell Hammond Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre [57]

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Villain The Vampire Diaries Nominated [58]
2017 Teen Choice Awards Choice Action TV Actor Supergirl Nominated [59]
Choice Liplock (with Melissa Benoist) Supergirl Nominated [59]
Choice TV Ship (with Melissa Benoist) Supergirl Nominated [59]

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Chris Wood". TV Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  2. ^ "Chris Wood". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2017. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  3. ^ "'Masters of the Universe: Revolution' (2024) date, plot, cast and is the Netflix series worth watching". meaww.com. January 23, 2024. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  4. ^ "Elon University Performing Arts Alumni". Elon University Performing Arts.
  5. ^ Abrams, Natalie (March 20, 2017). "Grant Gustin on Being Back in his element". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved April 2, 2017. ...But the weirdest person is actually Chris Wood, because we went to Elon University together, we were musical theater majors together, and we were very good friends in school.
  6. ^ "Chris Wood Theatre Credits". Broadway World. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  7. ^ Nicole Rosky (April 26, 2012). "Photo Flash: First Look at DAMN YANKEES at 5th Avenue Theatre". Broadway World. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  8. ^ McNeela, Catherine (August 16, 2013). "Chris Wood '10 stars in TNT's "Major Crimes"". Today at Elon. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ Harp, Justin (August 16, 2013). "'Carries Diaries' casts Chris Wood as new Carrie love interest". DigitalSpy.
  10. ^ Lee, Ben (July 21, 2014). "Vampire Diaries season 6 casts The Carrie Diaries actor Chris Wood". Digital Spy. Retrieved August 22, 2014.
  11. ^ Radish, Christina (May 15, 2015). "THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: Chris Wood on Why It's so Good to Be Bad". Collider. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Gennis, Sadie (February 7, 2017). "The Vampire Diaries: See Photos from Kai's Return". TV Guide. Retrieved February 7, 2017.
  13. ^ a b Swift, Andy (November 7, 2019). "Legacies: Chris Wood to Appear as Vampire Diaries' Kai Parker in Season 2". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved November 7, 2019.
  14. ^ Highfill, Samantha (February 6, 2020). "Chris Wood on how Kai Parker has changed on 'Legacies': 'If anything, he's more annoying'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  15. ^ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (February 24, 2015). "The CW Casts 'Vampire Diaries' Star Chris Wood in Julie Plec's 'Cordon' Pilot". Variety. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  16. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 7, 2015). "CW Picks Up 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' As Hourlong Series, 'DC's Legends Of Tomorrow' & 'Cordon'". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  17. ^ Lindsay, Benjamin (April 12, 2016). "Why Chris Wood Bulked Up 30 Pounds for 'Containment'". Backstage. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  18. ^ Gelman, Vlada (May 12, 2016). "Containment Cancelled at The CW". TVLine. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  19. ^ Petski, Denise (April 27, 2016). "'Vampire Diaries' Chris Wood Joins 'Mercy Street'; 'Ray Donovan' Casts Paula Jai Parker". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  20. ^ Ausiello, Michael (July 20, 2016). "Chris Wood Joins Supergirl Season 2 as 'Surprise' Series Regular". TVLine. Archived from the original on July 21, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Gross, Ed (November 20, 2016). "From Vampire Diaries to Mon-El and Supergirl: in depth with Chris Wood". Empire Online. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Swift, Andy (June 19, 2018). "Supergirl's Chris Wood Not Returning for Season 4 — EPs Explain Mon-El's 'Bittersweet' Departure". TVLine. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
  23. ^ "Chris Woods Leaving 'Supergirl', Producers Explain Reason Behind Character's 'Bittersweet' Exit". ET Canada. Archived from the original on June 19, 2018.
  24. ^ Agard, Chancellor (February 23, 2020). "'Supergirl' recap: Kara reckons with Lena and the past in the 100th episode". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  25. ^ Drum, Nicole (November 9, 2021). "Supergirl Recap With Spoilers: Here's Everything You Missed In The Series Finale, "Kara"". ComicBook. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  26. ^ "Films Screening at VSFF 2019". Vancouver Short Film Festival.
  27. ^ Gee, Dana (January 16, 2019). "Vancouver Short Film Festival long on content with 39 films in lineup". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  28. ^ "Official 2019 HollyShorts Film Festival Program by NCHSFF - Issuu". issuu.com. August 8, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  29. ^ Otterson, Joe (February 7, 2020). "'Thirtysomething' Sequel Pilot at ABC Casts Chris Wood". Variety. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  30. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 7, 2020). "'Thirtysomething(else)': Chris Wood To Star In ABC Pilot, Sequel To 'Thirtysomething'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  31. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (June 29, 2020). "'Thirtysomething(else)', 'The Brides' & 'Valley Trash' Pilots Not Going Forward At ABC". Deadline. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  32. ^ Huston, Caitlin (December 20, 2022). "'Almost Famous' to Close on Broadway in January". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  33. ^ "Chris Wood talks reuniting with Grant Gustin to play his brother in 'Snowshoe'". EW.com. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  34. ^ "Masters of The Universe: Revolution Unveils Skeletor's New Form, Release Date". Anime. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
  35. ^ "Supergirl's Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Pack on the PDA in Cancún". E! Online. March 29, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  36. ^ "Melissa Benoist is engaged to her 'Supergirl' costar Chris Wood: 'It will always be yes'". EW.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  37. ^ "Melissa Benoist Is Engaged to Her Supergirl Costar Chris Wood: 'It Will Always Be Yes'". Peoplemag. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  38. ^ "Supergirl Costars Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Are Married: Reports". Peoplemag. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  39. ^ Wood, Chris. "Our son was born his name is Huxley he's amazing and no it's probably none of your business xo brb see you in 18 years". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  40. ^ Benoist, Melissa. "Huxley Robert Wood got here a few weeks ago ♥️ and this little boy is everything". Instagram. Archived from the original on December 26, 2021. Retrieved September 25, 2020.
  41. ^ "New Jersey - Christopher Charles Wood: "Damn Yankees" - 3/22/12". www.talkinbroadway.com. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  42. ^ Carstensen, Melinda (May 20, 2016). "Why Chris Wood Wants to Break Down the Stigma of Mental Illness". Future of Personal Health. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  43. ^ "MHA Appoints New Board Members". Mental Health America. June 13, 2019. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "Mental Health America 2021 Annual Report" (PDF). Mental Health America. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  45. ^ Holbrook, Damian (October 1, 2017). "'Supergirl' Good Guy Chris Wood on His New Mental Illness Awareness Week Initiative and Where Mon-El Has Been". TV Insider. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  46. ^ "About". IDONTMIND. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  47. ^ Schmidt, Edward (March 1, 2023). "Framing Effective Messages Related to Mental Health on Social Media". National Academies. Retrieved March 1, 2023.
  48. ^ Yuma, Jennifer (November 10, 2021). "Actor Chris Wood Spearheads Summit in Partnership With Mental Health America". Variety. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  49. ^ "Chris Wood, Rainn Wilson, Tati Gabrielle, and Antonia Gentry to Headline Youth Mental Health Summit Presented By Mental Health America and IDONTMIND, in Partnership with YouTube". Mental Health America. October 26, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  50. ^ "I'm Chris Wood, founder of IDONTMIND, and here's a piece of my mind". IDONTMIND. March 9, 2023. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  51. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 4, 2024). "Why Starring on Broadway Means 'Everything' to Almost Famous' Chris Wood". Playbill. Retrieved March 1, 2024.
  52. ^ Petski, Denise (February 14, 2020). "'Masters Of The Universe: Revelation': Mark Hamill, Lena Headey, Chris Wood, Sarah Michelle Gellar Among Voice Cast For Netflix Anime Series". Deadline. Retrieved February 14, 2020.
  53. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Christopher Wood and Elizabeth Judd to Head New Tour of Spring Awakening". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  54. ^ "Inside the Playbill: Chris Wood". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  55. ^ Hetrick, Adam (April 21, 2012). "Damn Yankees, With Christopher Charles Wood, Chryssie Whitehead, Throws First Pitch at 5th Avenue Theatre April 21". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  56. ^ Gans, Andrew (August 22, 2018). "Melissa Benoist, Chris Wood, Calista Flockhart Will Star in Los Angeles Reading of Terms of Endearment 21". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  57. ^ Culwell Block, Logan (July 7, 2022). "Almost Famous Musical Sets Broadway Home, Postpones Start". Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  58. ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2015 Winners: Full List". Variety. August 16, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2016.
  59. ^ a b c "VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE NOMINEES!". Teen Choice. August 13, 2017. Archived from the original on June 22, 2017. Retrieved June 25, 2018.
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