Biography
Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, Christopher Shawn Anthony Kozak was drawn to the arts at an early age. Throughout his years in high school, he often took part in theatre and art classes to expand his creativity and imagination. While playing Alan Strang in a theatrical performance of Equus in his senior year, Christopher found his passion for acting, as his unexpected emotional bond with the character became evident during the end of his performance. Overwhelmed, he excused himself from the classroom. Touched by the performance, his teacher recognized a raw talent and encouraged him to seek a career in acting. He always admired film and the characters created by actors. His final performance before studying at The University of Winnipeg was the lead role of Mr. Jones in Animal Farm, where he fully encapsulated the character, secluding himself from all other actors in the play. He stayed in character throughout the production, as he found it to give a more authentic, truthful performance. During his tenure at the university, he would collaborate with aspiring film directors and producers, starring in several films and plays. His performance in 2006's Random Musings of a Girl Named Daphna won him a best actor award during the Manitoba Film Festival.
Upon graduation, he was accepted to The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute in New York City. The prestigious school allowed him to concentrate his talents to the method, with notable teachers as Susan Grace Cohen and Hope Arthur. Living in a six foot by eight foot room, he often roamed the busy streets to learn about people and integrate characteristics he saw and experienced into his characters. He fell in love with the city, as it gave him inspiration and the freedom to explore his talents in a vulnerable environment. Upon completion at the Strasberg Institute, he relocated to the northwest with his wife to expand his career and take on more challenging roles, including the role of William Hull in 2011's The War of 1812.
Christopher is drawn to complex character roles, often expelling an emotional arc throughout the film. His research and preparation to his roles allow for a fully developed history, filled with chapters of resonant drama. His method of living within the world of his character assists in his connection of the character's essentia. "To divide yourself from the person you are portraying would be an unjust decision," he stated. "Each step placed on set belongs to the character, and to break that mindset would serve an injustice not only to the character itself but the entire production's performance." For several years, Christopher has built an enriched, promising career, starring in several feature films and television shows. He is often praised by his co-stars and colleagues, and continues to study his craft in between film projects.
