Trivia

Has a younger brother named Justin.

Holds university degrees from Cornell University and the University of Minnesota.

Is an accomplished classical and ragtime pianist; originally considered majoring in Music at the University of Minnesota.

On his father's side, he is predominantly Danish; on his mother's side he is English, Irish, French, and Italian. However, during a third grade class "show and tell", when asked his ancestry by the teacher, he thoughtfully responded, "I think they all came from Japan." His grandmother submitted that story to Reminisce Magazine and it was published.

Composed a song for piano titled "Where You Found Me", which in his estimation was pretty good; he subsequently forgot how to play it.

Idolized Christopher Reeve's Superman as a child.

His first experience performing improv in front of a paying audience was at the Den Theatre in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. He has described it as being a transformative experience in which he fell in love with the art of improvisational theater.

Chris played pretentious high-end restaurant owner "Frederick" on NBC's Chicago Fire. This role was his second in the Dick Wolf "Chicago" universe, following his initial appearance on Chicago P.D. in which he played the internal affairs officer responsible for apprehending Ian Bohen's character for the murder of Sheldon Jin, played by Archie Kao.

In the Chicago Fire episode "Purgatory" Chris's character clashes in memorable exchanges with Gabriela Dawson (played by Monica Raymund), and true to form, Dawson emerges the victor. The scenes were filmed at Acadia restaurant in Chicago's South Loop.

Loves the culture of the Midwest where he grew up, but strongly dislikes cold weather.

He is the proud son of Scott and Karen Routhe of Lino Lakes, Minnesota.

Coached AAU baseball teams for 8 years with his father.

Childhood pets included dogs named Sadie, Opie, Reno, and Sophie.

Attended Centennial High School in Circle Pines, Minnesota.

His grandparents were enormous influences on his life.

He is an avid Minnesota Twins fan.

His first car was a red 1988 Chevy Beretta which he purchased from his uncle for $1.

Earlier in his career he acted in employee training videos for United Airlines and AT&T.

Auditioned for principal roles on television series that ultimately went to other actors, including roles on Better Call Saul, Supergirl, The Girlfriend Experience, A.P.B., Sirens, Chicago Med, and Preacher.

Worked as a model in TV commercials and print ad campaigns for Marvin Windows, 3M, Serta, St. Jude, FedEx, and Hollywood Casino.

He moved to Chicago, Illinois in 2014 after getting his start as an actor in the Twin Cities.

Lettered in Football his senior year of high school, but a dislocated kneecap prior to Homecoming cut his season short.

Appeared in a Serta Mattress TV commercial as the "All-American" husband and father.