Chris McKenna Biography
Born in Queens, NY, on October 18, 1977, Chris L. McKenna began his acting career at the tender age of 7 when he picked up a school flier announcing auditions for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. He got permission from his parents to audition and found himself cast as Dopey. He's been hooked ever since. After making small appearances in independent films, McKenna made the transition to television at the age of 12, on the daytime series, One Life To Live. While on this show, he had the distinction of portraying Joey Buchanan, the best friend to daytime drama's first gay teen, played by Ryan Phillipe. During his three-year stint, Chris was nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award, as Outstanding Child Actor, and two Young Artist Awards, for Best Young Actor In A Soap Opera and Best Young Actor In A Daytime Series.
McKenna's biggest success to date, may come in the form of independent film legend Stuart Gordon's twisted black comedy, King Of The Ants. The part of Sean Crawley, an average guy caught up in above-average circumstances, offers McKenna his first truly meaty leading role, which he considers to be his toughest and most exciting opportunity to date. Cult Cuts Magazine agrees, claiming that "He is absolutely fearless and surprisingly flawless in the choices he makes as an actor," while Nitrate OnLine calls McKenna's Crawley, "a New-Millennium Travis Bickle hiding behind the inviting grin of Tom Cruise."
Chris McKenna resides in Los Angeles and considers sports to be his other great passion. Between jobs, he plays hoops avidly, is an ardent film buff and works on his pet project, a screenplay for The Jimmy Durante Story. He also plays Trivial Pursuit and Scrabble whenever possible.
Read a "Guest Rant" by Chris, which originally appeared at Diabolical Dominion.com on July 6, 2004 Learn about Chris' latest project In The Wall
What They're Saying About Chris McKenna's Work In King Of The Ants
"This cast is amazing, especially the newcomer Chris McKenna. I found myself rooting for him throughout the entire film." -- Luke aka Goon, Movies Online"Even though Sean is a loser -- and a murderer -- he's a likeable one, and it's hard not to sympathize with his plight. This is due primarily to Chris McKenna's great performance as Sean, in particular his seamless transition from a genial, ordinary Joe to the confident, forceful, and highly motivated individual he is by the end of the film. This transformation is central to the film, and McKenna pulls it off perfectly." -- Jim Harper, Flipside Movie Emporium
"McKenna delivers the kind of performance that was needed to hold the story together. He is absolutely fearless and surprisingly flawless in the choices he makes as an actor." -- Christopher J. Jarmick, CultCuts.net
"The 26-year-old actor gives a blinding performance... and manages to evoke sympathy despite his horrendous actions..." -- Calum Waddell, Dark Side Magazine
"He's a New-Millenium Travis Bickle hiding behind the inviting grin of Tom Cruise." -- K.J. Doughton, Nitrate Online.com
"McKenna brings sweet humanity to the role of Sean, even as he emerges from his torture chamber with a taste for blood and a hideous Troma-sized trauma on his forehead." -- Buzz McClain, Video Business
Chris McKenna Filmography
* Don't Talk To The Actors (Stage) - 2008
* In The Wall - 2007
* Art School Confidential - 2006
* You Can't Take It With You (Stage) - 2005
* King Of The Ants - 2003
* Academy Boyz - 2001
* Opposite Sex (TV series) - 2000
* That's Life (TV series) - 2000
* Touched By An Angel (TV series) - 2000
* Cement - 1999
* That 70s Show (TV series) - 1998
* Touched By An Angel (TV series) - 1998
* In & Out - 1997
* The Practice (TV series) - 1997
* Gunplay - 1991
* One Life To Live (TV series) - 1990 - 1993
Chris McKenna Interviews
Phil Davies Brown interviews Chris for Horror Asylum - July, 2004Fred Topel interviews Chris for About.com - July, 2004
Vaughn Dyche interviews Chris for The Film Asylum - July, 2004
The Arrow interviews Chris for JoBlo.com - July, 2004
Jim Harper interviews Chris for Flipside Movie Emporium - July, 2004
Jackie Cooper interviews Chris for his entertainment review website - July, 2004
Mike Skinner interviews Chris for Diabolical Dominion.com - July, 2004
Johnny Butane interviews Chris for Creature Corner.com - June, 2004
C.J. interviews Chris for Terror Australis.net - June, 2004
Clint Morris interviews Chris for Moviehole.com - June, 2004
Pete Mesling interviews Chris and King Of The Ants director Stuart Gordon for Film Fodder.com - January 2004
K.J. Doughton interviews Chris for Film Threat.com - January, 2004
Catch the BUZZ on King Of The Ants
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