Niko El Santo Zavero was born on May 16, 1975, in Melrose Park, Illinois, to a Sephardim-Greek ancestry family. He began acting in theatre at the tender age of 7 and later became a trained singer, capable of writing lyrics, producing music, and boasting a vast portfolio of completed songs.
After a decade of theatre work throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Niko transitioned to film, starting with the 1995 movie Chain Reaction, starring Keanu Reeves and Morgan Freeman, where he played Keanu Reeves' Body Double. The following year, he appeared in My Best Friends Wedding, working alongside Julia Roberts, Rupert Everett, Cameron Diaz, and director P.J. Hogan.
Niko's filmography also includes cameo appearances in Kissing a Fool (1998),Since You've Been Gone, and King Lear (1999),where he played the iconic role of King Lear. His multilingual skills allowed him to work extensively in Europe, including a performance in Athens, Greece, alongside beloved Greek actor Lakis Lazopoulos.
In 2002, Niko was invited to attend the Screen Actors Guild awards hosted by T.N.T. and worked with director P.J. Hogan on the film Unconditional Love, reuniting with British actor Rupert Everett. Throughout his career, he has shared the screen with numerous A-list celebrities, including Lawrence Fishburn, Tim Roth, Andy Garcia, Queen Latifah, Vanessa Williams, James Caviezel, Samuel L. Jackson, Kevin Spacey, and many more.
Niko emphasizes the importance of theatre, stating that it is where his passion began. He believes that even on slow days on film sets, returning to theatre can help revive the mind and keep the craft sharp. In his own words, "Theater is where it all begins. When you have slow days on film, go back to theater to revive your mind. Always be productive in some way to keep the mind going. If the mind stops, you lose your craft."
