Chris Wood (actor)

Wood was born in Dublin, Ohio. He attended Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, where he graduated in 2010, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theater.{{cite web|title=Elon University Performing Arts Alumni|url=http://www.elon.edu/e-web/academics/elon_college/performing_arts/alumni.xhtml|publisher=Elon University Performing Arts}} He has been friends with actor Grant Gustin since college.{{cite magazine|first=Natalie|last=Abrams|title=Grant Gustin on Being Back in his element|url=https://ew.com/tv/2017/03/20/flash-supergirl-musical-crossover-grant-gustin/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|date=March 20, 2017|access-date=April 2, 2017|quote=...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.}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Chris-Wood/|title=Chris Wood Theatre Credits|website=Broadway World|access-date=January 20, 2018}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/seattle/article/Photo-Flash-First-Look-at-DAMN-YANKEES-at-5th-Avenue-Theatre-20120426|title=Photo Flash: First Look at DAMN YANKEES at 5th Avenue Theatre|author=Nicole Rosky|website=Broadway World|date=April 26, 2012|access-date=March 27, 2022}}

In 2013, Wood made his first television appearances with the TV movie Browsers and the TNT series Major Crimes.{{Cite web|last=McNeela |first= Catherine |date=16 August 2013 |url=https://www.elon.edu/u/news/2013/08/16/chris-wood-10-stars-in-tnts-major-crimes/|title=Chris Wood '10 stars in TNT's "Major Crimes"|website=Today at Elon|access-date=27 February 2024}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Harp |first1=Justin |date=August 16, 2013 |title='Carries Diaries' casts Chris Wood as new Carrie love interest |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a507511/carries-diaries-casts-chris-wood-as-new-carrie-love-interest/ |access-date= |website=DigitalSpy}}

In 2014, Wood joined the sixth season of The Vampire Diaries in a recurring role, playing the villain Malachi "Kai" Parker.{{cite news|last=Lee|first=Ben|title=Vampire Diaries season 6 casts The Carrie Diaries actor Chris Wood|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s62/vampire-diaries/news/a585452/vampire-diaries-season-6-casts-the-carrie-diaries-actor-chris-wood.html#~oNI4tU65Ssfq8A|work=Digital Spy|date=July 21, 2014|access-date=August 22, 2014}} He left the series in 2015 to pursue other projects{{Cite web|last=Radish |first= Christina |date=15 May 2015 |url=https://collider.com/the-vampire-diaries-chris-wood-on-why-its-so-good-to-be-bad/|title=THE VAMPIRE DIARIES: Chris Wood on Why It's so Good to Be Bad|website=Collider|access-date=28 February 2024}} 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{{cite news|first=Sadie|last=Gennis|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-vampire-diaries-kai-chris-wood/|title=The Vampire Diaries: See Photos from Kai's Return|work=TV Guide|date=February 7, 2017|access-date=February 7, 2017}} and again in 2020 in a two-episode guest arc in the second season of the spinoff series Legacies.{{cite web |url=https://tvline.com/2019/11/07/legacies-kai-parker-chris-wood-season-2-episode-12/ |title=Legacies: Chris Wood to Appear as Vampire Diaries' Kai Parker in Season 2 |work=TVLine |first=Andy |last=Swift |date=November 7, 2019 |access-date=November 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191107203547/https://tvline.com/2019/11/07/legacies-kai-parker-chris-wood-season-2-episode-12/ |archive-date=November 7, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine |first=Samantha|last=Highfill |url=https://ew.com/tv/2020/02/06/legacies-kai-parker-chris-wood-interview/ |title=Chris Wood on how Kai Parker has changed on 'Legacies': 'If anything, he's more annoying' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 6, 2020 |access-date=2023-03-18}}

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.{{cite web|first=Elizabeth|last=Wagmeister|url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/cordon-the-cw-cast-chris-wood-1201440566/|title=The CW Casts 'Vampire Diaries' Star Chris Wood in Julie Plec's 'Cordon' Pilot|website=Variety|date=February 24, 2015|access-date=May 31, 2016}}{{cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=7 May 2015 |title=CW Picks Up 'Crazy Ex-Girlfriend' As Hourlong Series, 'DC's Legends Of Tomorrow' & 'Cordon' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/crazy-ex-girlfriend-dc-legends-of-tomorrow-cordon-cw-series-1201422393/ |access-date=May 31, 2016 |website=Deadline}} 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."{{cite web|first=Benjamin|last=Lindsay|url=https://www.backstage.com/interview/why-chris-wood-bulked-30-pounds-containment/|title=Why Chris Wood Bulked Up 30 Pounds for 'Containment' |work=Backstage|date=April 12, 2016|access-date=April 2, 2017}} 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.{{cite web |last=Gelman |first=Vlada |date=12 May 2016 |title=Containment Cancelled at The CW |url=https://tvline.com/news/containment-cancelled-the-cw-season-2-713206/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=TVLine}} 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.{{cite news|first=Denise|last=Petski|url=https://deadline.com/2016/04/vampire-diaries-chris-wood-mercy-street-ray-donovan-cast-paula-jai-parker-1201745691/|title='Vampire Diaries' Chris Wood Joins 'Mercy Street'; 'Ray Donovan' Casts Paula Jai Parker|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=April 27, 2016|access-date=May 31, 2016}}

On July 20, 2016, it was announced Wood had joined the cast of Supergirl as a series regular in an undisclosed role,{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2016/07/20/chris-wood-supergirl-season-2-cast-dc-character/|title=Chris Wood Joins Supergirl Season 2 as 'Surprise' Series Regular|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|work=TVLine|date=July 20, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2024|archive-date=July 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160721112854/http://tvline.com/2016/07/20/chris-wood-supergirl-season-2-cast-dc-character/|url-status=dead}} 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"{{cite news |last=Gross |first=Ed |date=20 November 2016 |title=From Vampire Diaries to Mon-El and Supergirl: in depth with Chris Wood |url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/vampire-diaries-mon-el-supergirl-depth-chris-wood/ |access-date=28 February 2024 |work=Empire Online}} Wood left the series at the end of the third season in 2018.{{cite web |last1=Swift |first1=Andy |title=Supergirl's Chris Wood Not Returning for Season 4 — EPs Explain Mon-El's 'Bittersweet' Departure |url=https://tvline.com/2018/06/18/chris-wood-leaving-supergirl-season-4-spoilers-mon-el-exit-explained/ |work=TVLine |access-date=June 25, 2018 |date=June 19, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://etcanada.com/news/339172/chris-woods-leaving-supergirl-producers-explain-reason-behind-characters-bittersweet-exit/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180619055602/https://etcanada.com/news/339172/chris-woods-leaving-supergirl-producers-explain-reason-behind-characters-bittersweet-exit/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 19, 2018|title=Chris Woods Leaving 'Supergirl', Producers Explain Reason Behind Character's 'Bittersweet' Exit|work=ET Canada}} He would briefly reprise the role for the 100th episode,"It's a Super Life" in 2020,{{cite magazine |last1=Agard |first1=Chancellor |title='Supergirl' recap: Kara reckons with Lena and the past in the 100th episode |url=https://ew.com/recap/supergirl-season-5-episode-13/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 10, 2021 |date=February 23, 2020}} and in 2021 for the series finale, "Kara."{{cite web |last1=Drum |first1=Nicole |title=Supergirl Recap With Spoilers: Here's Everything You Missed In The Series Finale, "Kara" |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/supergirl-recap-with-spoilers-series-finale-kara/#3 |website=ComicBook |access-date=November 10, 2021 |date=November 9, 2021}}

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.{{cite web|title=Films Screening at VSFF 2019|url=https://www.vsff.com/2019-films|publisher=Vancouver Short Film Festival}}{{cite news |last=Gee |first=Dana |date=16 January 2019 |title=Vancouver Short Film Festival long on content with 39 films in lineup |url=https://vancouversun.com/entertainment/local-arts/vancouver-short-film-festival-long-on-content-with-39-films-in-lineup |access-date=28 February 2024 |website=Vancouver Sun}} In August of the same year, Wood's film was selected to screen at 2019 HollyShorts Film Festival, showing on opening night.{{Cite web |date=2019-08-08 |title=Official 2019 HollyShorts Film Festival Program by NCHSFF - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/nchsff/docs/hsff_2019_program_issuu |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}

In February 2020, it was announced Wood had been cast as Leo Steadman in the pilot for Thirtysomething(else),{{Cite web |last=Otterson |first=Joe |date=2020-02-07 |title='Thirtysomething' Sequel Pilot at ABC Casts Chris Wood |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/thirtysomething-sequel-pilot-abc-chris-wood-1203496486/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Variety |language=en-US}} a follow up series to the ABC drama Thirtysomething. In June, the network announced the series had not been picked up to air.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=7 February 2020 |title='Thirtysomething(else)': Chris Wood To Star In ABC Pilot, Sequel To 'Thirtysomething' |url=https://deadline.com/2020/02/thirtysomethingelse-chris-wood-star-leo-in-abc-pilot-sequel-thirtysomething-1202853683/ |access-date=8 February 2020 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=2020-06-29 |title='Thirtysomething(else)', 'The Brides' & 'Valley Trash' Pilots Not Going Forward At ABC |url=https://deadline.com/2020/06/thirtysomethingelse-the-brides-valley-trash-dead-abc-not-going-forward-1202972737/ |access-date=2023-01-05 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Huston |first=Caitlin |date=2022-12-20 |title='Almost Famous' to Close on Broadway in January |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/almost-famous-close-on-broadway-in-january-1235285146/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |title=Chris Wood talks reuniting with Grant Gustin to play his brother in 'Snowshoe' |url=https://ew.com/movies/chris-wood-talks-reuniting-with-grant-gustin-snowshoe-short-film/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=EW.com |language=en}}

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.{{Cite web |title=Masters of The Universe: Revolution Unveils Skeletor's New Form, Release Date |url=https://comicbook.com/anime/news/masters-of-the-universe-revolution-release-date-new-skeletor/ |access-date=2024-02-28 |website=Anime |date=October 12, 2023 |language=en}}

In December 2024, it was announced Wood had been cast in Duo, an in development series for NBC. The project received a script commitment from the network, which is set to be written by Wood. He is also credited as a co-executive producer.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Chris Wood & Melissa Benoist To Star In 'Duo' Drama In Works At NBC With Rina Mimoun As Showrunner |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/melissa-benoist-chris-wood-duo-nbc-series-rina-mimoun-1236195532/ |website=Deadline |access-date=7 December 2024}}

Wood began dating Supergirl co-star Melissa Benoist in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2017-03-29 |title=Supergirl's Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Pack on the PDA in Cancún |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/839610/supergirl-s-melissa-benoist-and-chris-wood-pack-on-the-pda-in-cancun |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=E! Online}} They announced their engagement in February 2019 and married on September 1, 2019 in Ojai, California.{{Cite web |title=Melissa Benoist is engaged to her 'Supergirl' costar Chris Wood: 'It will always be yes' |url=https://ew.com/tv/2019/02/10/melissa-benoist-engaged-supergirl-costar-chris-wood/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=EW.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Melissa Benoist Is Engaged to Her Supergirl Costar Chris Wood: 'It Will Always Be Yes' |url=https://people.com/tv/supergirl-melissa-benoist-engaged-chris-wood/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Supergirl Costars Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Are Married: Reports |url=https://people.com/tv/supergirl-costars-melissa-benoist-chris-wood-married/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Peoplemag |language=en}} They have one child, a son, born in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Chris |title=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 |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkh_8MhBhf/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CFkh_8MhBhf |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=Instagram |language=en}}{{cbignore}}{{Cite web |last=Benoist |first=Melissa |title=Huxley Robert Wood got here a few weeks ago ♥️ and this little boy is everything |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkh__nH-Va/ |url-access=registration |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CFkh__nH-Va |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |access-date=2020-09-25 |website=Instagram |language=en}}{{cbignore}}

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.{{Cite web |title=New Jersey - Christopher Charles Wood: "Damn Yankees" - 3/22/12 |url=https://www.talkinbroadway.com/page/regional/nj/nj514.html |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=www.talkinbroadway.com}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Carstensen |first=Melinda |date=20 May 2016 |title=Why Chris Wood Wants to Break Down the Stigma of Mental Illness |url=http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/advocacy/why-chris-wood-wants-to-break-down-the-stigma-of-mental-illness |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160611104407/http://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/advocacy/why-chris-wood-wants-to-break-down-the-stigma-of-mental-illness |archive-date=11 June 2016 |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Future of Personal Health}} 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 Directors from June 2019 to 2021.{{cite web |title=MHA Appoints New Board Members |url=https://mhanational.org/mha-appoints-new-board-members |accessdate=3 November 2023 |website=Mental Health America |publication-date=13 June 2019}}{{Cite web |date=1 March 2023 |title=Mental Health America 2021 Annual Report |url=https://www.mhanational.org/sites/default/files/2022-11/2021-Annual-Report.pdf |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Mental Health America}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Holbrook |first=Damian |date=2017-10-01 |title='Supergirl' Good Guy Chris Wood on His New Mental Illness Awareness Week Initiative and Where Mon-El Has Been |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/456123/supergirl-chris-wood-interview-mon-el-i-dont-mind-mental-illness-awareness-week/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://idontmind.com/about |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=IDONTMIND |language=en-US}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Schmidt |first=Edward |date=1 March 2023 |title=Framing Effective Messages Related to Mental Health on Social Media |url=https://www.nationalacademies.org/documents/embed/link/LF2255DA3DD1C41C0A42D3BEF0989ACAECE3053A6A9B/file/D47FEA6810D25778D84AFE1E1A12DCFF00CB1AEF85D4?noSaveAs=1 |access-date=1 March 2023 |website=National Academies}} 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.{{Cite web |last=Yuma |first=Jennifer |date=2021-11-10 |title=Actor Chris Wood Spearheads Summit in Partnership With Mental Health America |url=https://variety.com/2021/scene/news/chris-wood-rainn-wilson-mental-health-america-i-dont-mind-campiang-summit-1235108602/ |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=2021-10-26 |title=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 |url=https://mhanational.org/chris-wood-rainn-wilson-tati-gabrielle-and-antonia-gentry-headline-youth-mental-health-summit |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=Mental Health America |language=en}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-09 |title=I'm Chris Wood, founder of IDONTMIND, and here's a piece of my mind |url=https://idontmind.com/journal/im-chris-wood-founder-of-idontmind-and-heres-a-piece-of-my-mind |access-date=2024-03-01 |website=IDONTMIND |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=4 January 2024 |title=Why Starring on Broadway Means 'Everything' to Almost Famous' Chris Wood |url=https://playbill.com/article/why-starring-on-broadway-means-everything-to-almost-famous-chris-wood |access-date=1 March 2024 |website=Playbill}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{Twitter|ChristophrWood}}
• {{IMDb name|5534096}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wood, Chris}}

Category:1988 births

Category:21st-century American male actors

Category:American male television actors

Category:American voice actors

Category:Elon University alumni

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Ohio

Category:People from Dublin, Ohio

Category:People with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder