A handsome Canadian supporting player of Greek parentage, Elias Koteas began his career on stage appearing in NYC productions of "Holy Ghosts," "The Changing Room," "Life Class" and "The Lady's Not for Burning" at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and "Terry Neal's Future" and "Rainbow Dancing" at the Actors Studio. Producer Fred Roos spotted the intense young actor at the latter and quickly cast him in the Disney holiday film "One Magic Christmas" (1985). Since then, Koteas has become a recurring face on screen, while still remaining loyal to his theater roots (i.e., performing in the 1988 Yale Repertory Company's dramatic adaptation of "Kiss of the Spider Woman").