![](https://pplstatic.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/static/images/dummy-gradient.jpg)
Quick Facts
Biography
Christopher Charles Wood (born April 14, 1988) is an American actor. He is known for his role as Kai Parker in the sixth season of the CW's television series The Vampire Diaries in 2014, after previously appearing on The CW's The Carrie Diaries in the role of writer Adam Weaver in 2013. He also starred in the 2016 CW television series Containment in the leading role of Atlanta police officer Jake Riley. From 2016 to 2018, he played Mon-El on the CW superhero series Supergirl.
Early life
Wood was born in Dublin, Ohio. He attended Elon University in Elon, North Carolina, where he graduated in 2010, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Music Theater. He has been friends with actor Grant Gustin since college.
Career
After graduation, he played Melchior in the national tour of Spring Awakening. He also played Joe Hardy in Paper Mill Playhouse's production of Damn Yankees in 2012. He made his film debut in a made-for-TV movie entitled Browsers in early 2013. In September 2013, producers of The Carrie Diaries announced that Wood would join the show in its second season.
Wood appeared as the recurring role of Malachai Parker on season six of The Vampire Diaries; he returned to the role in a guest appearance in the eighth and final season of The Vampire Diaries. He appeared also in a guest role as Paul, in the episode "Beach House" of Girls.
He was cast in a starring role in the 2016 CW drama series Containment, portraying officer Jake Riley. Wood gained 30 pounds for the role. In April 2016, Wood was cast in a role on the second season of the PBS period drama Mercy Street. In July 2016, he was cast as a series regular in the role of Mon-El for the second season of Supergirl, playing the first live-action adaptation of the DC Comics superhero. He left the series at the end of the third season.
In 2020, Wood was cast in the ABC pilot Thirtysomething(else), the sequel to critically acclaimed drama Thirtysomething, in which he will play Leo Steadman, Hope (Mel Harris) and Michael’s (Ken Olin) son.
Personal life
Wood is an active ambassador for Mental Health America and often advocates ending the stigma surrounding mental illness, following his father's death from an untreated condition. In October 2017, he launched his website “I Don’t Mind” that works to put a stop to the stigma of mental illness.
Wood and his Supergirl co-star Melissa Benoist began dating in 2017, and they announced their engagement on Instagram on February 10, 2019. In early September 2019, the two married. On March 4, 2020, the couple announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child.
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2015 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Villain | The Vampire Diaries | Nominated | |
2017 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice Action TV Actor | Supergirl | Nominated | |
Choice Liplock (with Melissa Benoist) | Supergirl | Nominated | |||
Choice TV Ship (with Melissa Benoist) | Supergirl | Nominated |