From geek to 'Freak'
Few people can say they live in Minneapolis and work in Hollywood, although Chris Massoglia is starting to get used to it.
He began auditioning for commercials after “falling into” acting through workshops at a local dance school, and he’s been sending audition tapes from home nonstop ever since. First he landed a few modest TV roles, followed by the lead in “A Plumm Summer,” a family adventure-comedy released last spring. Though early credits list him as Chris Kelly, the 16-year-old thesp recently decided to reclaim his family’s last name, Massoglia. The thesp will soon be taking his farthest trip away from home for “Cirque du Freak,” based on Darren Shan’s fantasy series. Directed by Paul Weitz and in the company of John C. Reilly and Salma Hayek, Massoglia plays a boy who recognizes a vampire at a traveling freak show and unwittingly breaks a truce between warring factions. Massoglia thought of himself as a student on set, absorbing lessons not just of acting, but filmmaking as well. The eager learner also has “The Hole” on the horizon.
