Reefer Madness

Background:

Stage/screen actor Christian Campbell received critical applause for playing Jimmy Harper in the musical “Reefer Madness” (1999), a role that he reprised in the movie version of the play, Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005). After taking home a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for his 1999 stage performance, Campbell earned a Satellite award nomination for his fine revival on the silver screen. The actor also confirmed his acting skills through such roles as gay musical composer Gabriel in the indie film Trick (1999), drummer Lee in the drama comedy Thank You Good Night (2001) and Peter Webster in the newly aired series “The Book of Daniel” (show began in 2006).

As a stage performer, Campbell built his reputation by taking part in the play “A Clockwork Orange,” “Nagasaki Dust” (1997), “Tick, Tick... Boom” (2005), among others. He is a partner of Rebellion Productions, LLC, and the founder of the theater company The Blue Sphere Alliance, in which he serves as an actor, producer, director, singer, as well as the artistic director.

Campbell, who on June 23, 2005, received a special civil rights award at New York’s City Hall, is the ex-husband of Erin Matthews. They were married for 2 years, from 2001 to 2003.


Neve’s Bro

Childhood and Family:

Christian Bethune Campbell was born on May 12, 1972, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, to drama teacher Gerry Campbell and yoga instructor/former actress Marnie Neve. He is the older brother of actress Neve Campbell (born on October 3, 1973). Later, his parents divorced and remarried, making him the half-brother of Damian McDonald (born in 1982) and actor Alex Campbell (born in 1984).

Joining his father, six-year old Christian began acting in several local stage productions. He had his professional stage debut at age 12 and then attended the Claude Watson School for Performing Arts in Canada. While studying there, Christian also stepped into the movie industry.

On May 12, 2001, the actor married Erin Matthews. The couple, however, split up two years later.


Trick

Career:

At age 12, Christian Campbell kicked off his professional acting career with the role of Nick in Herb Gardner’s “A Thousand Clowns” (1984), staged at the Annex Stage Dinner Theater. Five years later, he acquired a first screen role as Larry in the TV movie Clarence (1989). It was then followed with the role of Todd in an episode of “Degrassi Junior High” (1990) and its spin-off TV film, School’s Out (1991).

After starring in the TV movie City Boy (1992) and Born to Run (1993), Campbell had the recurring role of Danny Cardigan in the sci-fi series “TekWar” (1995-1996). Moving forward, the actor became a regular in the short-lived teen drama series “Malibu Shores” (1996), playing Teddy Delacourt.

As a stage performer, the cast member of the German production of “A Clockwork Orange” acquired Los Angeles’ Lexington Theatre and founded The Blue Sphere Alliance, its resident company, in 1997. Working with the group, Campbell starred in the play “Nagasaki Dust” (1997) and made his stage directorial debut with “Reach,” a one-act play starring Matthew Lillard. He was also featured in the Toronto staging of “Man of La Mancha.”

In 1998, Campbell collaborated with sister Neve to co-produce and co-star in the romantic comedy Hairshirt, where he appeared as Adam Lipton. Campbell then gained a great deal of popularity after carrying out the leading role of Gabriel in the indie film Trick (1999), opposite John Paul Pitoc and Tori Spelling.

The performer was also praised thanks to his stage portrayal of Jimmy Harper, a young, clean-cut teenager befriending a group of degenerate drug addicts, in the L.A. musical version of the 1930 cult hit movie, “Reefer Madness” (1999). Soon, he won a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle award for Best Lead Performance. Campbell later recreated the role in the off-Broadway staging of the musical (2000), as well as in its movie version, Reefer Madness: The Movie Musical (2005, earned a Satellite award nomination for Best Actor).

On screen, besides taking part in the fall drama series “The $treet” (2000-2001, as Tim Sherman), Campbell was seen as drummer Lee in the drama comedy about an underachieving rock band, Thank You Good Night (2001). He also made an episodic performance in the sci-fi drama series “Jeremiah” (2002), had the starring turn of Charlie Kilworth in the TV drama The Piano Man’s Daughter (2003) and briefly joined the cast of the longtime soap opera “All My Children” (2004-2005, played Robert ‘Bobby’ Thorne Warner). During July - September 2005, Campbell toured across the United States and to London with a role in the play “Tick, Tick... Boom.” The same year, he also served as the producer for his sister’s New York stage debut in Michael Weller’s “Loose Ends” (2005).

Campbell recently appeared as Peter Webster in the new drama comedy series “The Book of Daniel” (show began in 2006), along with actors Aidan Quinn, Susanna Thompson, Ivan Shaw and Alison Pill. Also in 2006, the actor acted with Taryn Manning in the made-for-TV drama thriller Banshee, for director Kari Skogland.

Campbell’s fans will see him in the Michael Knowles-directed drama movie One Night (2006) and the thriller Pinion (2006, as Bud). He is also set to star as Lionel in the comedy feature Ibid, slated for release in 2007.


Award:

- Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle: Best Lead Performance, “Reefer Madness,” 1999