---
name: "Elias Koteas"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/elias-koteas"
fi1m_id: "elias-koteas"
imdb_id: "nm0000480"
tmdb_id: 13550
wikidata_id: "Q379808"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "11 March 1961"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 12
average_fi1m_score: 74
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 10
updated: "2026-10-23T04:11:13.165331+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Elias Koteas

## Identity

Elias Koteas

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/elias-koteas
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** elias-koteas
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000480
- **TMDB ID:** 13550
- **Wikidata ID:** Q379808
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Koteas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379808, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000480/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13550

Actor. Born 11 March 1961 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 11 March 1961, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- **Active:** 1990–2011
- **Also known as:** Ηλίας Κοτέας, الیاس کوتیاس
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 12: 10 acting, 2 other
- **Frequently works with:** [David Fincher](https://film.one/person/david-fincher.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 74, as actor, over 10 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 86 (1), 1990s 74 (6), 2000s 78 (2), 2010s 65 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 74 to 65 across 10 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 4 at 60–79, 1 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 7, Crime 3, Mystery 3, Thriller 3, Comedy 2, Romance 2
- **Screen time:** 17 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $1,152m across 8 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elias_Koteas, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q379808, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000480/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/13550

## Streaming the US now

- **Paramount+:** [*Zodiac*](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md) (91)
- **Apple TV:** [*Shutter Island*](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md) (80)
- **Pluto TV:** [*The Curious Case of Benjamin Button*](https://film.one/film/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.md) (64)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Look Who's Talking Too*](https://film.one/film/look-whos-talking-too.md) (35)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Elias Koteas

> Elias Koteas makes difficult characters worth watching without asking us to like them. We rate his commitment to Vaughan in *Crash*, while his compassionate work in *The Thin Red Line* deserves to be remembered alongside it.

Vaughan keeps us watching through the slow passages of *Crash* (1996). Elias Koteas gives him an intensity that matters in David Cronenberg's film, where the people can start to feel like cases being examined. We were unsettled by Vaughan because Koteas holds our attention without offering any reason to like him. There is no bid for sympathy to make the character easier company. This is where we rate Koteas highly: he commits to a difficult part without asking to be excused for it.

Casey Jones in *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1990) was an early mainstream breakthrough. Work with Atom Egoyan and Cronenberg helped establish his profile, with troubled figures in Canadian independent films becoming a recurring part of it. Hollywood supporting roles followed from the late 1990s, including Captain James Staros in Terrence Malick's *The Thin Red Line* (1998). There he brings compassion to authority, a useful corrective if Vaughan has become our whole picture of the actor.

What works in *Crash* is also the way he fits beside the other actors. Spader's reserve creates distance, Hunter gives the film someone firmer, and Koteas supplies the intensity; none has to do everything. That is a useful reminder that an actor's distinction need not depend on pulling attention away from everyone else. Yet the film's repetition remains a problem, and commitment does not make all those slow passages rewarding. We recommend the performance without pretending it repairs the pacing.

The later credits include Egoyan's *Ararat* (2002), followed by a main television role as Alvin Olinsky in *Chicago P.D.* from 2014 to 2018. That gave him sustained work within an ensemble after years of Hollywood supporting parts. For a first encounter, we would still choose *Crash*, provided an unnerving erotic thriller sounds like an evening worth having. Do not expect him to make it comfortable.

## Biography

Elias Koteas is a Canadian actor. He was born on 11 March 1961 in Montreal, Quebec, to parents of Greek descent. He trained at Vanier College in Montreal and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, and studied at the Actors Studio.

Koteas has appeared in films including *Some Kind of Wonderful* (1987), *The Adjuster* (1991), *Exotica* (1994), *Crash* (1996) as Vaughan, *The Thin Red Line* (1998), *Zodiac* (2007), *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* (2008) and *Shutter Island* (2010). On television he played Alvin Olinsky in *Chicago P.D.*. He won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in *Ararat* (2002). He was previously married to actress Jennifer Rubin.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (12)

### Performed in (10) — the average rests on these

- *The Killing* (2011), Fi1m 62, as James Skinner — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-killing-2011.md)
- *Shutter Island* (2010), Fi1m 80, as Laeddis — [page](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md)
- *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* (2008), Fi1m 64, as Monsieur Gateau — [page](https://film.one/film/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.md)
- *Zodiac* (2007), Fi1m 91, as Jack Mulanax — [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *The Sopranos* (1999), Fi1m 94, as Dominic Palladino — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), Fi1m 84, as Capt. James Staros — [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Gattaca* (1997), Fi1m 80, as Antonio Freeman — [page](https://film.one/film/gattaca.md)
- *Crash* (1996), Fi1m 78, as Vaughan — [page](https://film.one/film/crash.md)
- *Look Who's Talking Too* (1990), Fi1m 35, as Stuart — [page](https://film.one/film/look-whos-talking-too.md)
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1990), Fi1m 71, as Casey Jones — [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md)

### Also credited (2) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *Now You See Me* (2013), Fi1m 53, as Lionel Shrike (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/now-you-see-me.md)
- *Atlantic City* (1980), Fi1m 86, as Extra (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/atlantic-city.md)

## Complete filmography (96)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Silent Planet* (2024), as Theo
- *Janet Planet* (2024), as Avi
- *The Baker* (2023), as Vic
- *My Days of Mercy* (2018), as Simon
- *Chicago Justice* (2017), series, as Alvin Olinsky
- *Goliath* (2016), series, as Tom True
- *Chicago Med* (2015), series, as Alvin Olinsky
- *Jake Squared* (2014), as Jake Klein · Producer
- *Chicago P.D.* (2014), series, as Alvin Olinsky
- *The Last Days on Mars* (2013), as Charles Brunel
- *Now You See Me* (2013), as Lionel Shrike (uncredited) — Fi1m 53, [page](https://film.one/film/now-you-see-me.md)
- *Devil's Knot* (2013), as Jerry Driver
- *Chicago Fire* (2012), series, as Alvin Olinsky
- *A Very Harold & Kumar Christmas* (2011), as Sergie Katsov
- *Dream House* (2011), as Boyce
- *Unforgettable* (2011), series, as Sam Rhodes
- *Winnie Mandela* (2011), as Colonel de Vries
- *Combat Hospital* (2011), series, as Colonel Marks
- *The Killing* (2011), series, as James Skinner — Fi1m 62, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-killing-2011.md)
- *Let Me In* (2010), as The Policeman
- *A Letter to Elia* (2010), as Elia Kazan (Voice)
- *My Own Love Song* (2010), as Dean
- *The Killer Inside Me* (2010), as Joe Rothman
- *Shutter Island* (2010), as Laeddis — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/shutter-island.md)
- *3 Backyards* (2010), as John
- *Die* (2010), as Mark Murdock
- *The Fourth Kind* (2009), as Abel Campos
- *Defendor* (2009), as Chuck Dooney
- *I Come with the Rain* (2009), as Hasford
- *The Haunting in Connecticut* (2009), as Reverend Popescu
- *The Curious Case of Benjamin Button* (2008), as Monsieur Gateau — Fi1m 64, [page](https://film.one/film/the-curious-case-of-benjamin-button.md)
- *Dark Streets* (2008), as Lieutenant
- *Two Lovers* (2008), as Ronald Blatt
- *The Girl in the Park* (2007), as Raymond
- *Val Lewton: The Man in the Shadows* (2007), as Val Lewton (voice)
- *Saving Grace* (2007), series, as William Drugh
- *Prisoner* (2007), as Jailer
- *Shooter* (2007), as Jack Payne
- *Zodiac* (2007), as Jack Mulanax — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/film/zodiac.md)
- *Skinwalkers* (2006), as Jonas
- *Conviction* (2006), series, as Mike Randolph
- *The Greatest Game Ever Played* (2005), as Arthur Ouimet
- *The Big Empty* (2005), as The Specialist
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Jim (voice)
- *House* (2004), series, as Jack Moriarty — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/tv/house-2004.md)
- *CSI: NY* (2004), series, as Joe
- *Traffic* (2004), series, as Mike McKay
- *S1m0ne* (2002), as Hank Alano
- *Ararat* (2002), as Ali / Jevdet Bay
- *Collateral Damage* (2002), as Peter Brandt
- *Novocaine* (2001), as Harlan Sangster
- *Shot in the Heart* (2001), as Gary Gilmore
- *Dancing at the Blue Iguana* (2001), as Sully
- *Lost Souls* (2000), as John Townsend
- *Harrison's Flowers* (2000), as Yeager Pollack
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Dominic Palladino — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *The Thin Red Line* (1998), as Capt. James Staros — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/the-thin-red-line.md)
- *Living Out Loud* (1998), as The Kisser
- *Apt Pupil* (1998), as Archie
- *Divorce: A Contemporary Western* (1998), Actor
- *Fallen* (1998), as Edgar Reese
- *Gattaca* (1997), as Antonio Freeman — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/film/gattaca.md)
- *Hit Me* (1996), as Sonny Rose
- *Crash* (1996), as Vaughan — Fi1m 78, [page](https://film.one/film/crash.md)
- *Sugartime* (1995), as Butch Blasi
- *The Prophecy* (1995), as Thomas Daggett
- *Power of Attorney* (1995), as Paul Dellacroce
- *Camilla* (1994), as Vincent Lopez
- *Exotica* (1994), as Eric
- *Cyborg 2* (1993), as Colson 'Colt' Ricks
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III* (1993), as Casey Jones / Whit
- *The Habitation of Dragons* (1992), as Wally Smith
- *Chain of Desire* (1992), as Jesus
- *Contact* (1992), as Mohannan
- *The Adjuster* (1991), as Noah
- *Almost an Angel* (1990), as Steve Garner
- *Look Who's Talking Too* (1990), as Stuart — Fi1m 35, [page](https://film.one/film/look-whos-talking-too.md)
- *Desperate Hours* (1990), as Wally Bosworth
- *Backstreet Dreams* (1990), as Wizard
- *Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles* (1990), as Casey Jones — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/teenage-mutant-ninja-turtles.md)
- *Friends, Lovers, & Lunatics* (1989), as Davey
- *Blood Red* (1989), as Silvio
- *Στρατηγός καλεί ροκάδες...* (1989), Writer
- *Malarek* (1988), as Victor Malarek
- *Full Moon in Blue Water* (1988), as Jimmy
- *Tucker: The Man and His Dream* (1988), as Alex
- *Onassis: The Richest Man in the World* (1988), as Young Aristotle Onassis
- *She's Having a Baby* (1988), as Elias Koteas (uncredited)
- *Gardens of Stone* (1987), as Pete Deveber
- *Some Kind of Wonderful* (1987), as Skinhead
- *One Magic Christmas* (1985), as Eddie
- *Private Sessions* (1985), as Johnny O'Reilly
- *Atlantic City* (1980), as Extra (uncredited) — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/atlantic-city.md)
- *The Block*, Actor
- *God of Tides*, as Walker
- *Little One*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Elias Koteas](https://film.one/media/person/87034/gallery-5f06d7117e6e.jpg) Elias Koteas — Letmeinpremiere.jpg: workinpana/Jose M Mendez
derivative work: StAnselm (talk), CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/ba/Elias_Koteas.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Chloë Grace Moretz and Elias Koteas during the Let Me In premiere at the SVA Theatre in New York, NY on September 30, 2010.](https://film.one/media/person/87034/gallery-24b02920bd33.jpg) Chloë Grace Moretz and Elias Koteas during the Let Me In premiere at the SVA Theatre in New York, NY on September 30, 2010. — workinpana/Jose M Mendez, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/53/Letmeinpremiere.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Elias Koteas](https://film.one/media/person/87034/gallery-2051cc7f7ebe.jpg) Elias Koteas — Image via TMDB
- ![Elias Koteas](https://film.one/media/person/87034/gallery-b85c59a96bbf.jpg) Elias Koteas — Image via TMDB
- ![Elias Koteas](https://film.one/media/person/87034/gallery-61d78bf26af1.jpg) Elias Koteas — Image via TMDB

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/elias-koteas