Elias Koteas Movies and Career Information

Elias Koteas (born March 11, 1961) is a Canadian actor. Koteas was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to a father who worked as a mechanic for the Canadian National Railways and a milliner (hatmaker) mother. His parents are both of Greek descent, and he is a fluent Greek speaker. Koteas attended Vanier College in Montreal before leaving to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1981, of which he is a 1983 graduate. He was a member of the Academy's 1983–1984 Production Company. He also attended the Actors' Studio in New York City, where he studied acting under Ellen Burstyn and Peter Masterson. During his early years, Koteas washed dishes and bussed tables in New York for $1 an hour. At the time, he was not a U.S. citizen and therefore was not allowed to work in that country. While at the AADA, Koteas played Father Rangier in the school's production of "The Devils" adapted by John Whiting from the Aldous Huxley novel. He was also Paris in "The Golden Apple" a musical by John Latouche and Jerome Moross. Koteas is perhaps best known for his film portrayal of Casey Jones in the popular Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies and for the character Thomas Daggett in