Christopher Smith (performer)
Encyclopedia
Christopher Robin Smith is an American
actor
, director
and improviser, best known for his improv workshop
s and his handful of appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
.
Raised in Parma, Ohio and a Graduate of Valley Forge High School (Class of 1977),Chris began performing at an early age. Appearing in many productions throughout his high school years Chris also sang with the legendary Cleveland area Rock n' roll revival group "The Fabulous Brylcreams" from 1975 through August of 1978. At this time he was attending Kenyon College and singing with the Kokosingers, an a cappella
group that performed both locally and throughout the United States in addition to recording two albums. After graduating from Kenyon in 1981 with a degree in English, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.
Smith, a graduate who part-studied at the University of Exeter
in England
, joined the Interplay improvisation troupe in New York
and later married its founder and director, Tamara Wilcox
. The troupe gained good reviews and Smith, along with performing partner Jim Meskimen
, was recruited to appear in two episodes of Whose Line Is It Anyway? when the British
improvisation show filmed a season in New York. Their performances were at the more astute and polished end of the improvisation scale, although their debut was completely overshadowed by the presence of Ryan Stiles
, who would later become the show's main star.
Smith and Meskimen made one more appearance on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1992 when the show returned to New York for a second run, and a year later, the Smiths moved to Los Angeles
to begin a new improvisation group called the Really Spontaneous Theatre Company. Meskimen remains a member and the troupe continues to perform, despite the death of Tamara Wilcox-Smith in 1998.
After Meskimen failed an audition
for Whose Line Is It Anyway? when it moved permanently to the USA, Smith opted not to follow suit. He has since written numerous screenplays, short stories and books, but has restricted his appearances on stage and screen, preferring instead to coach young improvisers and write.
In July of 2010 and August of 2011, Chris returned to Parma Heights, Ohio to reunite with his former bandmates from the Fabulous Brylcreams to raise money for the Music Department at Valley Forge High School. Both concerts were a huge success, raising money to help offset the cost of participation in music programs at the high school.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and improviser, best known for his improv workshop
Workshop
A workshop is a room or building which provides both the area and tools that may be required for the manufacture or repair of manufactured goods...
s and his handful of appearances on Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Whose Line Is It Anyway? is a short-form improvisational comedy TV show. Originally a British radio programme, it moved to television in 1988 as a series made for the UK's Channel 4, for a 10 series run...
.
Raised in Parma, Ohio and a Graduate of Valley Forge High School (Class of 1977),Chris began performing at an early age. Appearing in many productions throughout his high school years Chris also sang with the legendary Cleveland area Rock n' roll revival group "The Fabulous Brylcreams" from 1975 through August of 1978. At this time he was attending Kenyon College and singing with the Kokosingers, an a cappella
A cappella
A cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group that performed both locally and throughout the United States in addition to recording two albums. After graduating from Kenyon in 1981 with a degree in English, he moved to New York City to pursue an acting career.
Smith, a graduate who part-studied at the University of Exeter
University of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, joined the Interplay improvisation troupe in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and later married its founder and director, Tamara Wilcox
Tamara Wilcox
Tamara Wilcox was a costume designer, actress, and theatrical producer and director.She was born in Soda Springs, Idaho, and adopted by William H. and Dora Mickelson Wilcox. She married Leland R. Horrocks on June 8, 1958. In 1962, she received her B.A. degree from Northwestern University. Her...
. The troupe gained good reviews and Smith, along with performing partner Jim Meskimen
Jim Meskimen
Jim Ross Meskimen is an American comedian and actor, perhaps best known for his work on the improvisation show Whose Line Is It Anyway? and as the voice of President George W. Bush and other politicians for the internet Jib Jab animated shorts...
, was recruited to appear in two episodes of Whose Line Is It Anyway? when the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
improvisation show filmed a season in New York. Their performances were at the more astute and polished end of the improvisation scale, although their debut was completely overshadowed by the presence of Ryan Stiles
Ryan Stiles
Ryan Lee Stiles is an American actor, comedian, director, and voice actor whose work is often associated with improvisational comedy. He is best known for his improv and co-production work on the American and British versions of Whose Line Is It Anyway? and the role of Lewis Kiniski on The Drew...
, who would later become the show's main star.
Smith and Meskimen made one more appearance on Whose Line Is It Anyway? in 1992 when the show returned to New York for a second run, and a year later, the Smiths moved to Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
to begin a new improvisation group called the Really Spontaneous Theatre Company. Meskimen remains a member and the troupe continues to perform, despite the death of Tamara Wilcox-Smith in 1998.
After Meskimen failed an audition
Audition
An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performing artist.Audition may also refer to:* The sense of hearing* Adobe Audition, audio editing software...
for Whose Line Is It Anyway? when it moved permanently to the USA, Smith opted not to follow suit. He has since written numerous screenplays, short stories and books, but has restricted his appearances on stage and screen, preferring instead to coach young improvisers and write.
In July of 2010 and August of 2011, Chris returned to Parma Heights, Ohio to reunite with his former bandmates from the Fabulous Brylcreams to raise money for the Music Department at Valley Forge High School. Both concerts were a huge success, raising money to help offset the cost of participation in music programs at the high school.