Elias Koteas was born on March 11, 1961, in Montreal, Canada, to parents of Greek descent. He attended Vanier College in Montreal before pursuing his passion for acting by enrolling in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1981, from which he graduated. Additionally, he honed his craft at the Actors Studio in New York City, where he studied under the guidance of renowned actresses Ellen Burstyn and Peter Masterson.
Koteas made his film debut in One Magic Christmas (1985) and has since appeared on stage in various productions, including "Kiss of the Spider Woman," "Death of a Salesman," "Bent," and "The Cherry Orchard." In 1989, he received a Genie Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Malarek (1988),a true story in which he portrayed a troubled street-kid-turned reporter for a Canadian newspaper. This performance marked a significant milestone in his career, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
Koteas's breakthrough role came in 1990 when he was cast as vigilante Casey Jones in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990) and its sequels. He has since become one of Canada's most popular actors, frequently collaborating with renowned Canadian directors Atom Egoyan and David Cronenberg.
One of his most notable roles was in Cronenberg's controversial film Crash (1996),in which he played Vaughan, a self-appointed "mad scientist" with an unusual fetish for sexual delight in car crashes. The film generated significant buzz at the 1996 Cannes Film Festival.
In the past two years, Koteas has been busy, adding six more roles to his extensive resume. Notably, he portrayed Capt. James Staros, the commanding officer of Charlie Company, in The Thin Red Line (1998),bringing sensitivity and compassion to his portrayal of a man who prioritized the safety of his men, even at the risk of his own career.
In 2000, he appeared in the thriller Lost Souls (2000),starring alongside Winona Ryder, and starred on Broadway alongside Josh Brolin in the Sam Shepard play "True West."
