AMERICAN DREAMZ

With a diverse body of work behind him and starring roles in some of the most dynamic films, CHRIS KLEIN (William Williams) has quickly established himself as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young actors. He was recently seen in Just Friends, opposite Ryan Reynolds, Anna Faris and Amy Smart.

Klein is currently preparing for roles in two new projects, both set to film this spring: The Good Life, with Zooey Deschanel, Harry Dean Stanton and Patrick Fugit; and Day Zero, with Ginnifer Goodwin and Elijah Wood.

His latest work includes Paramount Classics’ The United States of Leland, costarring Kevin Spacey, Ryan Gosling and Don Cheadle; the independent feature The Long Weekend, for director Pat Holden and co-starring Brendan Fehr; Lenexa 1 Mile, the directorial debut of Jason Wiles and the CBS Television movie The Valley of Light, opposite Gretchen Mol.

On stage, Klein recently starred in This is Our Youth in London’s West End, playing the role of Dennis. He joined Freddie Prinze Jr. and Heather Burns playing a trio of rich New York teenagers caught up in the new yuppie culture of the early ’80s. After the box-office success of American Pie, Klein reprised his role of Oz in American Pie 2 in 2001. Klein also starred in Paramount’s Vietnam epic We Were Soldiers, with Mel Gibson; in John McTiernan’s Rollerball for MGM; Here on Earth, with Leelee Sobieski and Josh Hartnett; and in 20th Century Fox’s comedy Say It Isn’t So, opposite Heather Graham, produced by the Farrelly Brothers.

Born in Chicago, Klein moved to Omaha, Nebraska at the age of 13. Wanting to act since he sang his first solo in the church choir in fourth grade, Klein starred in several school stage productions including the role of Tony in West Side Story. It was during his senior year at Millard West High School in Omaha that he literally bumped into director Alexander Payne as he was scouting Klein’s high school as a possible location for Election. After an audition for Payne, and only four weeks into his first semester at Texas Christian University where he was studying dramatic arts, Klein received the offer to star in Election opposite Reese Witherspoon and Matthew Broderick. Klein’s portrayal of the dimwitted jock Paul Metzler earned him praise throughout the industry, including a Chicago Film Critics nomination as Most Promising Newcomer, and Election went on to be nominated for an Academy Award® for Best Original Screenplay and Independent Spirit Awards for Best Picture and Best Screenplay.

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