Biography
Theodore Mark Monte was raised on a small ranch near Denver, Colorado. He enrolled at Colorado State University aiming to become a veterinarian but was convinced by his father to pursue degrees in Applied Mathematics and Scientific Computing.
Uninterested in these fields, Ted’s then-girlfriend encouraged him to connect with her modeling agent. He did, quickly launching a career in modeling and commercials, which soon led to his first acting role. He caught the acting bug.
After graduating, Ted moved to New York City to study acting under the acclaimed coach Phil Gushee. While training, he appeared in print ads and commercials for brands like Coors beer, Kraft Salad Dressing, and Always Panty Liners (his favorite). He also performed in theater, securing lead roles at Lincoln Center and the National Theatre in Washington, D.C.
In 1991, Ted landed his first feature film role as an FBI agent in Jonathan Demme’s Silence of the Lambs. This was followed by a role in David Mamet’s Homicide, which opened doors to numerous television appearances. Frustrated with New York’s writers, Ted relocated to Los Angeles in 1995.
Throughout his career in L.A., Ted has acted alongside Christian Slater, Roddy McDowall, Joe Mantegna, Jane Kean, Russ Tamblyn, Michael Pane, Luke Perry, Paul Sorvino, William Atherton, and Tom Berringer.
His television credits include Melrose Place, The Lair, Homicide: Life on the Street, Lifetime’s A Christmas Wedding Date, and SyFy Channel’s World Premiere of Curse of the Komodo, along with several large-scale monster movies.
Ted recently completed two independent films: Abner, The Invisible Dog, and Melanie’s Locket, the third installment in a steampunk trilogy in which he plays the lead.
He currently resides in Los Angeles with his wife, Priscilla Barnes.
