Dennis Christopher (born Dennis Carrelli; December 2, 1955) is an American actor, director, and writer. He began his acting career as a teenager, gaining early recognition for his role as Dave Stohler in the 1979 coming‑of‑age film Breaking Away, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination for New Star of the Year – Actor. He subsequently appeared in a range of film, television, and stage productions.
Notable film credits include:
- The Lords of Flatbush (1974) – his screen debut in a supporting role.
- Fade to Black (1980) – starring as a psychopathic film‑obsessed killer.
- Dressed to Kill (1980) – portraying a police detective.
- Denial (1990) – as the title character’s son.
- It (1990 TV miniseries) – as an adult Henry Bowers (uncredited in the later 2017 adaptation).
- One Hour (2005) – co‑directed and co‑wrote the independent drama, also starring in it.
Christopher has also maintained a steady presence on television, with guest appearances on series such as Law & Order, The X‑Files, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, and recurring roles on The Killing and The Following. In theater, he has performed in productions on and off Broadway, including Brighton Beach Memoirs.
His work has been recognized for its versatility across genres, ranging from drama and thriller to comedy. As of the latest available information (June 2024), Christopher continues to act in film and television projects and participates in independent film productions.
