Before he ever stepped into the spotlight as an actor, Kristen Holden-Reid had already built an impressive athletic resume. A skilled and dedicated athlete, Kristen Holden-Reid was a champion in both riding and fencing, showcasing his versatility and discipline. In fact, he was a proud former member of the Canadian National Pentathlon Team, where his hard work paid off with silver medals at both the Pan American and Pan Pacific Pentathlon Championships—no small feat.
Eventually, Kristen Holden-Reid shifted gears, transitioning from sports to screen. His acting journey began with a major break: landing the lead role in the Czechoslovakian production of Young Ivanhoe back in 1995. That early success opened doors, and soon after, he appeared in Night of the Demons 3 (1997), though the film itself didn’t quite leave a lasting mark. Still, Kristen Holden-Reid kept building momentum, taking on a minor but notable part in the Lifetime movie When Innocence is Lost (1997).
That same year, he stepped into a more visible supporting role in the Sci-Fi Channel’s Habitat (1997), a cautionary tale centered around the dangers of ozone depletion—a timely theme that added depth to his growing filmography. From there, Kristen Holden-Reid continued to steadily appear in both feature films and television movies. He delivered solid performances in projects like The Defenders: Taking the First (Showtime, 1998), Going to Kansas City (1998), and Forget Me Never (CBS, 1998), quietly establishing himself as a reliable presence on screen.
Then came a turning point. In 2000, Kristen Holden-Reid took on the role of bassist Noel Redding in Showtime’s biopic Hendrix. Though the film received mixed reviews and was seen by some as underwhelming despite its intriguing subject, Kristen Holden-Reid’s portrayal stood out. Playing a key figure in the world of one of rock’s most legendary icons, Jimi Hendrix (portrayed by Wood Harris), gave him significant exposure and marked a moment of real prominence in his career. It was clear that Kristen Holden-Reid wasn’t just another actor passing through—he was someone with range, resilience, and a story still unfolding.
Kris Holden-Ried has appeared in a variety of films and movies throughout his career, but one of his standout performances can be seen in The Returned (2013), which happens to be his highest-rated film. On the flip side, there’s also Lie Exposed (2020), which holds the position of being the lowest-rated movie in his filmography. While Kris Holden-Ried has certainly had his share of successful roles, Lie Exposed (2020) didn’t quite resonate with audiences the same way that The Returned (2013) did. Still, it’s interesting to see the range of projects that Kris Holden-Ried has been a part of over the years, from critically acclaimed films like The Returned to more polarizing ones like Lie Exposed.