Chai Hansen
Chai Hansen (born Chai Romruen, February 8, 1989) is an Australian-Thai actor.[1] He is best known for his role as Monkey in The New Legends of Monkey,[2] Zac in Mako mermaids [3], Ilian in The 100[4] and Jordan Kyle in Shadowhunters.[5]
Chai Hansen | |
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Born | Chai Romruen 8 February 1989 Ko Samui, Thailand |
Occupation |
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Years active | 2012–present |
Early life
Hansen was born in Ko Samui, an island in the Gulf of Thailand in 1989. He was born into a mixed cultural family, a Thai father (Superut Romruen) and an Australian mother (Sandra Hansen). At the age of 7 Hansen migrated to Australia with his mother and sister (Sarah Romruen) to seek a higher education.
Hansen did not start his career from a dancing background, but as an athletic competitor in track and field. A natural sprinter and jumper, in 2006 he was ranked 2nd in Australia after winning silver medal in triple jump at the Australian National all schools championships. Hansen holds records in Australia and Canada in triple jump.
2007 is the year Hansen found a love for dance. In 2011 after completing his scholarship and gaining a ‘diploma in performing arts’ he moved with his newly found knowledge of the arts to Sydney. With the approval of the group director (internationally acclaimed performing artist) William Sanchez took Hansen under his wing and gave him a spot in Australia's No.1 live street theatre show Beat The Streets where he continues to perform for thousands of people a day.
Career
Finding his feet upon the completion of his performing arts Diploma in 2011, it was announced that Hansen would join the cast of internationally distributed series Mako Mermaids. Portraying merman Zac Blakely, Hansen's first lead in a television series provided visibility for the young actor, opening a door into the industry.
The success of Mako helped to secured Hansen the role of Ilian in the fourth season of The 100. The recurring role became a fan favorite, though the character had a predetermined fate. Subsequent to the series, Hansen landed the lead role of Monkey in The New Legends of Monkey, a new spin on classic tale Journey to the West.
In early 2018, Hansen officially joined the cast for Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments third season as Jordan Kyle, a werewolf on a quest for redemption. Hansen returns for second half of that third season in his role as Jordan.
Filmography
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Dead Moon Circus | Sean McComb | Film |
2013 | Dead Moon Circus Part 2 | Sean McComb | Film |
2013 | Pavlomance | Zac | Short |
2013 | Revolving Doors | Kitchen Hand | Short |
2013-2016 | Mako: Island of Secrets | Zac Blakely | Main (Seasons 1-3) |
2017 | The 100 | Ilian | Recurring (Season 4) |
2018-present | The New Legends of Monkey | Monkey | Main |
2018 | Thicker Than Water | Ivan | Film |
2018-2019 | Shadowhunters | Jordan Kyle | Recurring (Season 3) |
2019 | We Were Tomorrow | Noah Reeves | Upcoming Series Post-Production |
References
- Hing, Georgia (January 28, 2018), "FAMOUS FACES: Chai Hansen", Daily Telegraph
- Bushnell, Tom (June 13, 2017), "Nambucca's Chai Hansen lands leading role in The Legend of Monkey", Guardian News
- Fox, Tiffany (July 23, 2013), "Surfer tackled shark fears in new TV role", The West Australian
- Davies, Megan (January 15, 2018), "The 100 and New Legends of Monkey actor Chai Hansen joins Shadowhunters season 3 as Jordan Kyle", Digital Spy
- Highfill, Samantha (January 15, 2018), "Shadowhunters first look: Chai Hansen joins season 3 as Jordan Kyle", Entertainment Weekly