Chris Kerson is a renowned American actor, best known for his captivating portrayals of Nails in the hit series True Detective and Willie Boy in Gotti. With a strong foundation in the performing arts, Chris began honing his thespian skills in drama clubs throughout his childhood in Manhattan and Westchester, New York.
Despite initially pursuing a career in finance, Chris continued to nurture his passion for acting during his undergraduate studies at the College of William and Mary. After graduating, he found success as an investment banker and corporate finance analyst, notably taking one company public.
However, Chris' true calling lay in the world of acting. He eventually found himself splitting his time between Los Angeles and New York, booking various theater, film, and television roles while refining his craft with prominent industry mentors. One of his primary tutors was Charlie Laughton, Al Pacino's long-time mentor, whose guidance had a profound impact on Chris' career trajectory.
Chris' Off-Broadway credits include a sold-out production of Stephan Morrow's Hurry at the Blue Heron Art Center and a well-received performance as Carl the Usher in the never-before-produced Tennessee Williams play, These are the Stairs You Got the Watch. He also starred in Missionaries opposite theater icon Rose Gregorio.
Although Chris' roots are in theater, his on-camera work has been in greater demand. With a filmography spanning over two decades, Chris has become recognized for his versatility in a wide range of projects on television and the silver screen.
Chris' early work includes several NYU student films produced by Oscar winner Mollye Asher, including the award-winning short film The Ride, which was selected by Martin Scorsese as the best short production of the year.
Other notable projects include Cost of a Soul, the AMC Big Break Movie Contest feature film winner, in which Chris played the lead role. He also co-starred opposite Lance Henriksen in Chad Law's Project Greenlight submission, Daylight's End. Independent Spirit Award nominee Tim McCann cast Chris as the starring detective in the crime drama Zero in the System, which featured a cast of ex-cons, including parolees, to bring authenticity to the characters.
Chris' most recent projects include the 2019 suspense-thriller Rendezvous, which holds the record for the most-decorated American Short film of all time, with nearly 200 international award wins. He also co-starred in the 2020 film Equal Standard, a timely story addressing racism in the New York Police Department, starring and produced by famed rapper/actor Ice-T.
Chris was reportedly told by producers that he was the only New York-based actor they thought could work well with Bruce Dern in IFC's Last Call, casting Chris as Bruce's son in the film.
