Alexander Pollock
Alexander Pollock (born 1989) is a Canadian realtor and former child actor best known for his roles in family films during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[1][2] Born in Vancouver, British Columbia, he began his acting career at the age of five and appeared in several notable productions before transitioning to real estate.[3] Pollock's breakthrough role came as Corky in the 1996 comedy Big Bully, directed by Norman Jewison, marking one of his early credits in feature films.[4] He gained wider recognition for portraying Scotty Brody, the young son of Jeff Goldblum's character, in the 2001 blockbuster Cats & Dogs, a Warner Bros. family adventure about warring animal factions.[5] For this performance, he earned a nomination for the Young Artist Award for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor at the 23rd Young Artist Awards in 2002.[6] Other significant roles include Young Garrotte in the 2001 action thriller Replicant starring Keanu Reeves, Edward Watkins Jr. in the 2002 miniseries Taken, and Richie (as well as Elf Tight End) in the holiday sequel The Santa Clause 2 that same year.[4] His acting career spanned from 1996 to around 2005, primarily in supporting roles that highlighted his youthful energy in comedic and dramatic contexts.[7] Following his retirement from acting after the 2005 film School of Life, Pollock returned to his hometown of Vancouver and established himself as a real estate advisor specializing in the Metro Vancouver market.[2] Working with Engel & Völkers Vancouver, he focuses on residential properties, leveraging his local knowledge and professional determination to assist clients in buying and selling homes, particularly in areas like West Vancouver.[8][9]Early life
Upbringing in Vancouver
Alexander Pollock was born in 1989 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[4][10] The exact birth date is not confirmed in reliable sources. Raised in Vancouver as a native Canadian, Pollock grew up in a city renowned for its role as a major production center for film and television, often called "Hollywood North" due to the numerous studios and shoots in the area. This environment placed him in close proximity to the entertainment industry from an early age. Little is publicly known about Pollock's family background or specific childhood experiences, though his Vancouver upbringing provided a foundational context before his entry into acting at age seven.Entry into acting
Pollock, born in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1989, began his acting career in 1996 at the age of seven, coinciding with the mid-1990s expansion of the local film and television industry.[4][11] This period marked Vancouver's rise as "Hollywood North," driven by its scenic locations, lower production costs, and increasing Hollywood runaways, which created abundant casting opportunities for local talent, including children.[12][13] Child actors in Vancouver at the time navigated typical challenges such as rigorous auditions, compliance with provincial labor regulations limiting work hours, and balancing professional commitments with schooling, all within a competitive environment fueled by tax incentives that boosted foreign productions starting in the late 1990s.[14][15]Acting career
Debut and early roles (1996–1999)
Alexander Pollock made his acting debut at age seven in the 1996 comedy film Big Bully, where he portrayed the character Corky in a supporting role alongside Rick Moranis and Tom Arnold.[16][11] Later that year, he appeared in the television movie The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue, playing Jack Feagan, a young boy in a Depression-era story of family struggle and hope.[17] These initial projects, both filmed in part in Vancouver, marked Pollock's entry into the industry through local casting opportunities.[1] In 1997, Pollock continued building his resume with several television roles, often as vulnerable or mischievous children. He played Brian Harrison in the thriller TV movie The Stepsister, a story involving family secrets and danger. That same year, he guest-starred as a boy in an episode of the sci-fi series The Outer Limits, appeared as Bobby in the drama Northern Lights, and took on the dual role of Timmy/Chris in the sci-fi TV movie Cloned, which explored themes of genetic engineering and identity.[18] By 1998, he had a supporting part as Brat (Kyle) in the TV movie Floating Away, depicting a flood-ravaged family's resilience.[19] Pollock's late-1990s work culminated in 1999 with a series of diverse supporting roles across genres. He portrayed Woody Tighman, the son of lawman Bill Tilghman, in the Western TV movie You Know My Name.[20] In the horror TV movie Resurrection, he played Hollis, a child entangled in supernatural events, while in Fatal Error, he appeared as the Grandson in a sci-fi thriller about artificial intelligence.[21][22] He also guest-starred as Jason Vincennes in the episode "Dead to Rights" of the fantasy series The Crow: Stairway to Heaven and as Seth in the family drama TV movie Hayley Wagner, Star.[23][24] Throughout this period, Pollock frequently took on child and teen supporting roles in Vancouver-produced TV movies and episodic television, establishing a foundation in genre-driven narratives like sci-fi, drama, and thriller.[1][11]Breakthrough and notable roles (2000–2005)
Pollock's acting career gained momentum in 2000 with his role as Henry S. Crump, the young son of the protagonists, in the horror television film They Nest, which represented a departure from his earlier family dramas into genre filmmaking.[25] This was followed in 2001 by supporting parts in action and thriller projects, including Young Garrotte in the sci-fi film Replicant, where he portrayed a kidnapped child, and Orin Wilson in the Lifetime television movie Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story, depicting a boy affected by a real-life privacy invasion scandal.[26][27] His breakthrough arrived that same year with the role of Scotty Brody, the inquisitive young son of scientists played by Jeff Goldblum and Elizabeth Perkins, in the Warner Bros. family adventure Cats & Dogs, a blockbuster that grossed over $200 million worldwide and showcased his ability to handle comedic and voice-animated elements alongside animal stars.[5][28] This high-profile success led to further opportunities in prominent productions, such as a brief appearance as Kid in Store in the pilot episode of the NBC series American Dreams in 2002, and the dual role of Richie and Elf Tight End in the Disney holiday sequel The Santa Clause 2, reinforcing his presence in family-oriented blockbusters.[29] Pollock continued with notable television roles, including Edward Watkins Jr. in the Steven Spielberg-produced sci-fi miniseries Taken (2002), where he played a child involved in alien abduction narratives, and Eric O'Keefe in the Disney television adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time (2003), portraying a boy on a cosmic quest.[30] His final acting credit came in 2005 as Clyde in the family comedy television film School of Life, after which he retired from performing at age 16 to pursue other interests, concluding a nine-year career highlighted by these mainstream projects.[31][4]Awards and nominations
During his brief acting career as a child performer, Alexander Pollock earned a single nomination from the Young Artist Awards, an organization dedicated to recognizing excellence in youth performances in film, television, and theater. In 2002, at the 23rd Annual Young Artist Awards, he was nominated for Best Performance in a Feature Film – Leading Young Actor for his role as Scotty Brody in the family comedy Cats & Dogs (2001), a Warner Bros. production that grossed over $200 million worldwide and featured a mix of live-action and animation.[32][6] This nomination, shared with other promising young talents such as Trevor Morgan for The Glass House, affirmed Pollock's skill in portraying a relatable protagonist caught in whimsical espionage, marking early industry acknowledgment for a then-12-year-old actor in a high-profile ensemble cast including voices by stars like Susan Sarandon and Alec Baldwin.[33][34] Pollock did not secure a win in this category, which was awarded to another nominee, but the recognition highlighted his potential amid a competitive field of child actors from major studio releases.[33] Beyond this honor, Pollock received no additional major awards or nominations throughout his film and television work, consistent with the limited scope and duration of his on-screen career, which spanned primarily the late 1990s to early 2000s.[32]Real estate career
Transition from acting
Following the completion of his role as Clyde in the 2005 television film School of Life, Alexander Pollock retired from acting. Having entered the industry at age five, Pollock had amassed nearly a decade of experience as a child actor by the time of his final project.[2] Pollock's departure from acting was not accompanied by a public announcement, but it became evident through his complete withdrawal from on-screen roles thereafter.[4] No further acting credits appear in professional databases after 2005, signaling a definitive end to his entertainment career at age 16.[10] This shift marked Pollock's pivot away from the public eye of Hollywood, allowing him to step back from the demands of child stardom after roles in films such as Cats & Dogs (2001) and The Santa Clause 2 (2002).[4]Current professional activities
Since transitioning from his acting career, Alexander Pollock has established himself as a real estate advisor with Engel & Völkers Vancouver, where he has been affiliated since April 2015.[9] In this role, he specializes in residential properties across Metro Vancouver, including houses and condos, leveraging his position to facilitate sales and client relations in one of Canada's most dynamic housing markets.[35][36] Pollock's expertise centers on Vancouver's competitive real estate landscape, where he emphasizes deep local market knowledge to guide clients through buying and selling processes. His professional approach highlights strong negotiation skills and effective home showings, combined with relatable communication that builds trust in high-stakes transactions.[36] This is complemented by his charismatic presence and determined work ethic, which provide a competitive edge in a fast-paced industry.[36] Pollock operates from the firm's office at 130-1152 Mainland Street, Vancouver, BC V6B 4X2, and can be contacted at (778) 953-4953 for inquiries related to property sales or consultations.[36][37] His ongoing activities underscore a commitment to client-focused service, particularly in West Vancouver and surrounding areas.[38]Filmography
Film roles
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Big Bully | Corky[16] |
| 2001 | Replicant | Young Garrotte[39] |
| 2001 | Cats & Dogs | Scotty Brody[40] |
| 2002 | The Santa Clause 2 | Richie/Elf Tight End[41] |
Television roles
Pollock's television career featured a series of guest appearances and supporting roles in both episodic series and made-for-TV films, spanning science fiction, drama, and supernatural genres during the late 1990s and early 2000s.[4]- 1996: The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue (TV movie) – Jack Feagan[17]
- 1997: The Stepsister (TV movie) – Brian Harrison[42]
- 1997: Northern Lights (TV movie) – Bobby[43]
- 1997: Cloned (TV movie) – Timmy/Chris[44]
- 1997: The Outer Limits – Boy (episode: "Bodies of Evidence")[45]
- 1998: Floating Away (TV movie) – Brat/Kyle[46]
- 1999: Hayley Wagner, Star (TV movie) – Seth[47]
- 1999: You Know My Name (TV movie) – Woody Tilghman[20]
- 1999: Resurrection (TV movie) – Hollis[48]
- 1999: Fatal Error (TV movie) – Grandson[49]
- 1999: The Crow: Stairway to Heaven – Jason Vincennes (episode: "Dead to Rights")[23]
- 2000: They Nest (TV movie) – Henry S. Crump[50]
- 2002: Video Voyeur: The Susan Wilson Story (TV movie) – Orin Wilson[51]
- 2002: Taken (TV miniseries) – Edward Watkins Jr.[52]
- 2002: American Dreams – Kid in Store (episode: "Pilot")[53]
- 2003: A Wrinkle in Time (TV movie) – Eric O'Keefe[54]
- 2005: School of Life (TV movie) – Clyde[55]