Focus On: Chad Coe

Actor Chad Coe is crafting an impressive resume in both film and TV, one character role at a time.

Most recently, Coe gambled big against Jacob Elordi as the spirited poker player, Glen, in the Sony Pictures Classics feature film “On Swift Horses.”

The film also stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Will Poulter, Diego Calva, and Sasha Calle in a tale of forbidden love and self-discovery set in the 1950’s. Directed by Daniel Minahan and based on Shannon Pufahl’s 2019 novel, the story follows Muriel and Lee, a young couple upended by the arrival Lee’s gambling brother with a secret past.

“Dressing up and playing in the 1950’s was a dream come true,” explains Coe. “Director Dan Minahan and Jacob Elordi gave me lots of room to play as an actor. And they couldn’t have been any nicer to work with.”

On television, Coe made himself at home as Seamus Schemmenti, the very tall (6’5”), drunk, Italian brother of Lisa Ann Walter on ABC’s “Abbott Elementary.”

Fans caught Coe getting questioned on the witness stand by Kathy Bates as businessman Jeremy Strong in the new CBS mystery drama series “Matlock.” He also appeared on ABC’s “Modern Family,” USA’s “Colony,” and El Rey’s “Matador.”

Chad Coe in “Abbott Elementary” (courtesy ABC)

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Coe started on his performer path early. He studied the craft of acting at Hope College and won the National College Theatre Festival. He went on to earn a Scenie Theatre Award, Valley Theatre Award, and Ovation Theatre Award for his work on stage. He recently starred in “The Rose and Rime” at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Audiences won’t have to wait long to see Coe creating more characters. This hardworking actor has two projects in the works, including in the dark-inspirational-Christmas-comedy “People Passing,” centered around Hollywood wannabes gathering for their famous comic friends’ wake.

And he is set to appear in the new female-driven comedy “Pumas” from Jamie Anderson.

Chad Coe (photos by Matt Marcheski)