In Part 1 of this exclusive interview, actor Kris Holden-Ried talks about his unconventional beginnings and the opportune intervention of actor Michael Ironside. In Part 2, he reflects on lessons learned and his latest role as Dyson, the supernatural detective in Lost Girl. Here, he opens up about his exciting future plans and what he is like when he is not in front of an audience.
What’s next for Kris? This talented gem has no plans to slow down. His devoted audience will be able to see him not only in the second season of Lost Girl, but also in two recently completed films, The Untitled Work of Paul Shepard and Textuality. And this is not all: Kris is also thinking of branching out into other creative avenues in the future, such as writing and directing. “In my mind I am wearing all sorts of hats. Definitely writing to begin with. I would also like to develop a TV series.”
Off-screen, with so much going on in his career, it’s not surprising to hear that maintaining a personal relationship doesn’t always come easy. When the subject of marital status comes up, Kris tentatively discloses, “I am single,” and then quickly adds, “but my life is complicated.” Single and complicated he may be, but what he also is, is father to a beautiful 3-year old boy, whom he clearly adores. Staying in touch with his son while working is paramount to Kris. “When I travel, I do my best with Skype and we try to make a game of it. If I am shooting for a few months abroad, I try to come back home at least every three weeks.”
So is life for Kris all work and no play? Hopefully not! As a matter of fact, he says he loves having fun at work. “Everything we do is a collaboration and I believe we all want to be good. So to do that everyone has to be in a good mood.”
What else gets Kris in a good mood? “I have a good list of bad habits I partake in,” Kris teases, politely refusing to expand on what constitutes bad habits. What he reveals instead is a list of benign interests that will undoubtedly make fans go gaga over him even more. “I love an evening with some nice red wine. I love the sound of music, sitting around and playing guitar or the piano... I am a great guy to have dinner with.”
The only dangerous habit he chooses to share is that he likes to drive fast. He jokingly blames it on his half-German heritage and mentions how fast one is allowed to drive on a German autobahn (highway). Other than that, it would appear that Kris has no vices, except for his “belief that vices build character.”
Other Things You May Want to Know about Kris
Canadian fans need not worry. Kris has no intention of leaving Toronto any time soon. “This city has always treated me well.” He does mention though that he would like an opportunity to act in a good Western movie, or perhaps play another British character, maybe even one as grandiose as those found in the Harry Potter series.
He doesn’t usually watch his own movies, and when he does, he cringes a lot. “I think it’s the same with everyone else. You create something and then all you see is the flaws.”
He likes wearing bracelets. His favourite is one he got in Morocco when he was filming Ben Hur. “It was one of those things you see in a bustling bazaar. It just popped out at me. I paid far too much money for it as I didn’t know how to bargain for it, but I love it. It’s a beautiful piece that summarizes that entire experience for me.”
If he could have one superpower, what would it be? He would like to be a Jedi. One would think that with his fencing skills, handling a light-saber should be quite the natural transition.
He designed the tattoo on his back and got it done when he was 21. It’s in English but because of the way it is done, it almost reads like Sanskrit. What does it say? That will remain a secret... at least for now.
Iulia Mihai - Iulia Mihai is a Vancouver-based Human Resources Manager, management coach and freelance writer. Originally from Romania, her passion for ...
