Kris McKay

I started acting as a kid because my mom needed a constructive outlet for my extremely hyperactive personality, so naturally she threw me into children’s musical theatre. It worked. Mostly. I spent my early years singing, dancing, and aggressively overcommitting to community productions before heading to UT Austin to study acting. Turns out, waiting around to get cast as an underclassman wasn’t exactly my calling. After one too many hours painting sets and sewing costumes while other people got the spotlight, I dropped out and accidentally launched a music career instead. I started booking and managing bands, eventually joining a band called Hundredth Monkey, and not long after was offered a solo deal with Arista Records. The first half of my adult life was spent making records, touring the country, sleeping very little, and collecting enough strange stories to last several lifetimes. Along the way, I also did jingle and voice-over work, which let me keep one foot in performance while living out my rock-and-roll side quest. Eventually I moved to Los Angeles, where I somehow pivoted into becoming a private chef for ultra-high-net-worth families — because apparently my career path enjoys plot twists. After years in LA, I made my way back home to Austin, where I’ve been for the last five years living my best life, staying creative, and getting back in front of the camera. At the end of the day, performing has always been the through line — whether on stage, behind a microphone, or telling stories in a kitchen at 2am. I’m drawn to work that feels human, funny, grounded, and a little unpredictable… which, honestly, probably explains my entire life so far. Kris McKay 213.842.1968