Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Khan Chittenden

Khan Chittenden (born July 30, 1983) is a New Zealand-born recognized for his versatile performances in dramas and independent films. Best known for portraying Dean "Edge" Edgley in the series (2005–2008), Frank "The Little Gunman" Green in Underbelly: Razor (2011), and the lead role in the thriller series (2007), Chittenden has built a career spanning over two decades in Australian screen entertainment. Born in , Chittenden relocated to , , at age 11, where he later trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, graduating in 2004. His early breakthrough came with the role of Tim in the indie comedy-drama Introducing the Dwights (also known as Clubland, 2007), which premiered at the and marked his introduction to international audiences. This led to his debut in the comedy National Lampoon's Endless Bummer (2007), followed by notable film roles such as Manni in (2009), Len in the World War II drama (2010), and the lead in the war thriller Canopy (2013). On television, he earned an Australian Film Institute nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama for in 2007, and multiple Equity Guild Awards nominations for ensemble performances in miniseries. In recent years, Chittenden has continued to appear in diverse projects, including the romantic comedy Rhapsody of Love (2021), the indie film Book Week (2018), and the series Invisible Boys (2025), where he plays Cal Roth. His work often explores themes of identity, resilience, and Australian cultural narratives, establishing him as a prominent figure in the country's independent film and television landscape.

Early life and education

Childhood and relocation

Khan Chittenden was born in 1983 in New Zealand, where he spent his early childhood. At age 11, Chittenden moved with his mother and younger brother to Perth, Western Australia, marking a significant shift in his early life. This relocation introduced him to Australian culture and environment, though specific accounts of his initial adjustment remain sparse in public records. In Perth, he attended local schools, where he first encountered the performing arts through observing school plays, which sparked his intrigue. At around age 14, he landed his first acting role as Leo McCormick in the children's television series The Gift (1997), further developing his interest. These early school experiences in fostered a budding curiosity about performance, influencing his path toward formal training at the Western Australian Academy of after completing high school.

Academy training

Chittenden's relocation to at the age of 11 from provided him access to local performing arts opportunities, culminating in his enrollment at the Western Australian Academy of (WAAPA) in 2002. At WAAPA, Chittenden undertook the three-year (Acting) program, focusing on foundational skills in performance, voice, movement, and essential for professional and screen work. His training emphasized practical immersion through classes in , character development, and ensemble work, preparing students for diverse roles in contemporary drama. Although he departed toward the end of his third year to pursue a professional role, WAAPA exceptionally permitted Chittenden to graduate in 2004, recognizing his progress and potential. This period at the academy was instrumental in shaping his versatile acting technique. These elements fostered Chittenden's ability to embody complex characters, laying the groundwork for his professional transition.

Career

Early breakthrough roles

Chittenden made his television debut in 2005 as Dean "Edge" Edgley, a competitive and rebellious surfer trainee, in the first season of the Australian youth drama series Blue Water High, appearing in all 26 episodes. The role, which showcased his ability to portray a headstrong teenager navigating team dynamics and personal rivalries at a coastal surf academy, marked his entry into the industry shortly after graduating from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) and quickly boosted his visibility among Australian audiences. Building on this momentum, Chittenden took on the lead role of , a young member entangled in and forbidden romance, in the 2007 Foxtel miniseries , which spanned 8 episodes. The series explored gritty themes of and urban conflicts in Sydney's western suburbs, providing Chittenden with early exposure to more intense dramatic material and ensemble casts including , earning him a nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Television at the 2007 Australian Film Institute Awards. This television work solidified his presence in screen projects during the mid-2000s. Chittenden's film debut came the same year with the role of Tim Maitland, the shy and dutiful younger son in a chaotic family, in the dramedy Clubland (released internationally as Introducing the Dwights). Directed by Cherie Nowlan, the film premiered at the 2007 , where it introduced Chittenden to U.S. audiences and earned praise for his portrayal of a young man grappling with familial pressures and budding romance. The indie production's success, including its acquisition by , highlighted Chittenden's transition from television to cinema and opened doors to international opportunities. In 2009, Chittenden expanded his resume with his first American film role as , a disgruntled teen leading friends on a quest to recover a stolen , in the Endless Bummer. This low-budget surf-themed project, filmed in , directly stemmed from the visibility gained at Sundance. That same year, he returned to the stage as Alan Strang, the troubled with a pathological obsession with horses, in Perth Theatre Company's production of Peter Shaffer's at His Majesty's Theatre. Chittenden's physically and emotionally demanding performance, which included full nudity, was lauded for its intensity and depth, further demonstrating his versatility as an emerging . From 2005 to 2010, these roles propelled Chittenden from a WAAPA graduate to a recognized talent in entertainment, blending stints with his initial forays into and theater to build a foundation of diverse experience.

Later television and film work

Chittenden gained prominence in with his portrayal of , a known as "The Little Gunman," in the crime series Underbelly: Razor in 2011, appearing in 13 episodes. Green was a real underworld enforcer in the late 1920s, standing at just 5 feet tall and working as muscle for brothel owner during the wars of 1927–1931, a period marked by violent turf battles between rival syndicates in 's inner suburbs. The series, which dramatized these events, received strong viewership as a top-rated production, with Chittenden's performance noted for capturing Green's volatile, diminutive menace in intimate scenes amid the era's gritty underworld. In 2013, Chittenden took the lead role of , an Australian fighter pilot shot down during the 1942 Japanese of , in the psychological thriller Canopy. The film, a co-production between and , emphasized immersive survival drama, with conducted in the dense rainforests of where actual battles occurred, enhancing the film's tactile intensity through on-location challenges like navigating thick undergrowth and unpredictable weather. Critics praised its experiential approach, earning a 75% approval rating on for the raw depiction of isolation and cross-cultural as Jim teams with a fighter. The following year, Chittenden appeared as Sean Green in four episodes of the long-running soap , portraying a recurring family member entangled in coastal community drama typical of the show's serialized format. He also featured as Captain Fred "Doc" Street, a military medic, in the television biopic Parer's War, which chronicled photographer Damien Parer's frontline experiences and 's first Academy Award win, produced as a historical tribute by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Chittenden's mid-2010s work expanded into independent cinema, including his role as Adam, a publishing contact, in the 2018 satire Book Week, which explored literary ambition and schoolyard politics through a jaded teacher's crisis. The film received an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score for its witty take on Australian cultural pretensions. In 2021, he played Phil McEnjoe in the romantic comedy Rhapsody of Love, a lighthearted ensemble story of modern relationships colliding at weddings, blending Asian-Australian perspectives in an uplifting narrative. That same year, Chittenden portrayed Young Jim in the period drama Little Tornadoes, set in 1971 rural and focusing on family upheaval and immigrant adaptation amid social change. More recently, in 2025, Chittenden took on the role of Cal Roth, a father navigating his son's coming-out journey, in the Original series Invisible Boys, an adaptation of Holden Sheppard's novel set during Australia's 2017 same-sex marriage plebiscite. The 10-episode drama addresses LGBTQ+ themes of identity, isolation, and community in regional , earning acclaim for its authentic portrayal of queer teen experiences and broader issues like representation and familial influence, with an 8.4 rating. Later that year, he appeared as Jackson Petersen in the film It's Our Time, a romantic comedy centered on Sydney's creative underbelly, where an aspiring filmmaker's funding bid sparks romantic entanglements and reflections on artistic pursuit in contemporary . Produced by Joy House Productions, the film highlights the vibrancy of indie storytelling through its ensemble of multicultural characters chasing dreams amid urban pressures. Throughout this period, Chittenden's career has demonstrated versatility across genres, transitioning from high-stakes crime television and visceral war dramas to romantic comedies, period pieces, and socially conscious series, often emphasizing narratives with international co-productions like Canopy providing exposure beyond domestic audiences. This progression underscores his adaptability in roles that blend historical depth, emotional intimacy, and cultural commentary.

Filmography

Television appearances

Khan Chittenden's television career began in 1997 with a lead role in the Australian children's series , where he portrayed Leo McCormack across all 26 episodes. In 2005, he made a guest appearance as Sparrow in one episode of the miniseries The Alice. From 2005 to 2006, Chittenden starred as Dean "Edge" Edgley in the first two seasons of , appearing in 52 episodes total (26 in season 1 and 26 in season 2). In 2007, he played the lead role of Dean in the 8-episode miniseries . Chittenden guest-starred as Ewan in one episode of in 2008. In 2009, he appeared as Corey in a single episode of All Saints. The 2010 TV movie featured Chittenden as Len. From 2011 to 2012, he portrayed Frank "The Little Gunman" Green in 13 episodes of Underbelly: Razor. In 2012, Chittenden played Bruce Banton in 2 episodes of the miniseries Devil's Dust. He recurred as Nick Trumpet in both episodes of the 2013 miniseries Paper Giants: Magazine Wars. In 2014, Chittenden appeared as Sean Green in 4 episodes of Home and Away. That same year, he starred as Captain Fred "Doc" Street in the TV movie Parer's War. In 2025, Chittenden plays Cal Roth in 3 episodes of the series Invisible Boys.

Film appearances

Chittenden's film debut was in the Three to One (2005), playing the role of . In 2006, he appeared as Joel Roberts in the drama The Caterpillar Wish. That same year, he played Jared in the Wobbegong. Chittenden made his debut in the Australian drama (2007), playing the role of Pete, a young man navigating family tensions in Sydney's western suburbs. He followed this with a lead role as Tim in the comedy-drama Clubland (also known as Introducing the Dwights) (2007), portraying the shy son of an eccentric mother. In 2009, Chittenden appeared as Manni in the biographical drama In Her Skin, a film based on the real-life disappearance of teenager Rachel Barber. That same year, he starred as JD in the American comedy Endless Bummer, a surfing-themed film directed by Sam Pillsbury. Chittenden took on the role of in the short film Loveless (2010), a story exploring and . He played Jed in the Needle (2010), involving a group of friends uncovering a cursed . In 2013, Chittenden led the war drama Canopy as Jim, an Australian pilot shot down during the invasion of . He appeared as Greg in the short film Notes (2014), a narrative about opportunity and misfortune. Chittenden portrayed White Cop in the short film Nulla Nulla (2015), directed by Dylan River and addressing themes. In , he played Adam in the Book Week, centered on a high teacher's unexpected literary success. Chittenden took the role of Phil McEnjoe in the Rhapsody of Love (2021). He appeared as Young Jim in the Little Tornadoes (2021), a story of and change set in 1970s . In 2025, Chittenden played Jackson Petersen in the comedy It's Our Time, following a filmmaker's quest for funding and romance.

References

  1. [1]
    Khan Chittenden | Moviefone
    Jan 1, 1983 · Chittenden was born in New Zealand and moved at age 11 to Perth, Western Australia. He graduated from WAAPA (Western Australian Academy of ...
  2. [2]
    Khan Chittenden Movies & TV Shows List | Rotten Tomatoes
    Khan Chittenden is a New Zealand-born actor who was introduced to American audiences as Tim in the Sundance Film festival hit Introducing the Dwights.
  3. [3]
    Khan Chittenden Biography - Fandango
    Khan Chittenden is a New Zealand-born actor who was introduced to American audiences as Tim in the Sundance Film festival hit Introducing the Dwights.
  4. [4]
    Khan Chittenden Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards - TV Guide
    Read all about Khan Chittenden with TV Guide's exclusive biography including their list of awards, celeb facts and more at TV Guide.Missing: notable roles
  5. [5]
    Khan Chittenden: Movies, TV, and Bio - Amazon.com
    Khan Chittenden is known for Underbelly (2008), Dangerous (2007) and Canopy (2013). Top titles: Paper Giants: Magazine Wars, Canopy, It's Our Time, Devil's ...Missing: notable | Show results with:notable
  6. [6]
    Khan Chittenden
    ### Acting Credits (Television Only) - Khan Chittenden
  7. [7]
    Toronto 2013: Canopy floats softly to the welcoming Canadian earth
    Oct 1, 2013 · Both Chittenden – who was born and bred in New Zealand, but grew up in Perth since age eleven – and Wilson are preppily dressed, according ...
  8. [8]
    Yikes! “Needle” Halloween SciFi Horror Film to Poke Jane Badler ...
    Oct 25, 2010 · Khan Chittenden (Jed). At the age of 11 his mother took him to Perth with his younger brother. There he went to audition for a part in a locally ...Missing: background | Show results with:background
  9. [9]
    Australia's Best New Talent | GQ Australia
    Aug 21, 2013 · “I remember seeing a couple of school plays and being intrigued,” says Chittenden. “It seemed like something I wanted to be a part of one day.” ...
  10. [10]
    Endless possibilities - The Australian
    Sep 5, 2009 · (WAAPA allowed Chittenden to graduate even though he didn't have time to formally complete the course.) His first film was The Caterpillar Wish ...
  11. [11]
    [PDF] KHAN CHITTENDEN - Showcast
    KHAN CHITTENDEN. TRAINING: WAAPA Graduate 2004. THEATRE: Equus. Alan Strang ... KHAN CHITTENDEN. World Premiere; Berlin Film Festival (Generation 14+) 2007.
  12. [12]
    'The Good Fight' Knocks Out New York - Western Australian ...
    Jan 20, 2013 · Khan Chittenden (2005) had a lead role in the<br />. comedy film ... Education and Training<br />. Department of Education<br />. and ...
  13. [13]
    Dangerous (TV Mini Series 2007) - IMDb
    Rating 6.8/10 (154) Khan Chittenden · Dean. 8 eps 8 episodes • 2007. Brooke Satchwell · Donna. 8 eps 8 episodes • 2007. Paul Pantano · Joe. 8 eps
  14. [14]
    ‎Dangerous - Apple TV
    Khan Chittenden, Brooke Satchwell, Paul Pantano. Season 1. EPISODE 1. Episode 1. Dean's gang plans to ram and steal a loaded ATM located close to a police ...
  15. [15]
    Introducing the Dwights (2007) - IMDb
    Rating 6.4/10 (1,982) The marriage produces the brain damaged Mark (Richard Wilson) and shy younger son Tim (Khan Chittenden). John, reduced to being a security guard at a ...
  16. [16]
    Clubland - Variety
    Reviewed at Sundance Film Festival (Premieres), Jan. 21, 2007. Running time: 109 MIN. With: Jean - Brenda Blethyn Tim - Khan Chittenden Jill - Emma Booth John - ...
  17. [17]
    Clubland | Reviews - Screen Daily
    Jan 31, 2007 · Although Clubland features two exciting performances from newcomers Khan Chittenden and Emma Booth, it is also, definitively, a movie built ...<|separator|>
  18. [18]
    Endless Bummer (2009) - IMDb
    Rating 3.7/10 (1,381) Top Cast51 ; Khan Chittenden · JD ; Colton James · Sparky ; Ray Santiago · Lardo ; Allison Scagliotti · Iris ; Caitlin Wachs · Anne.
  19. [19]
    Endless Bummer | Cast and Crew - Rotten Tomatoes
    With help from his friends, a disgruntled teen (Khan Chittenden) tracks the thief who stole his surfboard. ... Character(s) Mike Mooney. Credit(s) Actor.
  20. [20]
    Equus | Perth Theatre Company - Australian Stage Online
    Sep 18, 2009 · Likewise, Khan Chittenden gave an outstanding performance as Dysart's patient, gradually revealing the nature of his fixation and eventually re- ...
  21. [21]
    EQUUS Hits The Stage In Australia, Previewing 9/12-9/14
    ... stage and screen actors, in the pivotal role as psychiatrist Martin Dysart and the extraordinarily talented Khan Chittenden (Dangerous, Clubland, All Saints ...
  22. [22]
    Tilly Devine & the Razor Gang Wars, 1927-1931
    Feb 24, 2016 · Gang members. Francis Donald Green (Frank Green) was born in Sydney in 1902. He became known as The Little Gunman, reflecting his stature of ...Missing: basis | Show results with:basis
  23. [23]
    https://moveablefest.com/canopy-aaron-wilson-khan-chittenden/
  24. [24]
    Canopy (2013) - IMDb
    Rating 4.9/10 (1,190) An Australian fighter pilot is shot down over the jungle and must find his way back to Allied lines, through Japanese-held territory.
  25. [25]
    Interview: Aaron Wilson & Khan Chittenden Go to War with "Canopy"
    Sep 17, 2013 · An experiential drama that plunges viewers deep into the rainforest with a stranded Australian fighter pilot (Khan Chittenden) and proves so tactile that one ...
  26. [26]
    Canopy - Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 75% (24) A downed Australian pilot (Khan Chittenden) joins forces with a resistance fighter (Morning Tzu-Yi Mo) to escape the Japanese troops who are hunting them.
  27. [27]
    Parer's War (TV Movie 2014) - IMDb
    Rating 6.7/10 (143) The story of World War II front-line cameraman Damien Parer, whose work won Australia's first Oscar, and how his desperate efforts to return to the battlefield ...
  28. [28]
    Book Week (2018) - IMDb
    Rating 5.7/10 (170) A jaded high-school English teacher is forced to re-evaluate his life when his novel is passed over for one by one of his students.
  29. [29]
    Book Week | Rotten Tomatoes
    Rating 83% (6) A narcissistic and arrogant high school teacher is forced to re-evaluate his life choices when it seems like his book will finally be published.
  30. [30]
    Rhapsody of Love (2021) - IMDb
    Rating 4.5/10 (165) Romance, work and life all collide when a wedding planner and wedding photographer meet and ignite sparks in this uplifting Asian Australian romantic comedy.
  31. [31]
    Little Tornadoes (2021) - IMDb
    Rating 6.9/10 (114) A newly-single father struggles to weather the turbulence of change, as a new immigrant endeavours to find her place in a foreign land. Set in 1971, it's a ...
  32. [32]
    Invisible Boys (TV Series 2025) - IMDb
    Rating 8.4/10 (1,511) As well as sexuality, the show deals with themes of First Nations Australians, loneliness, country life and the power our parents can have over our lives.Episode list · Plot · Parents guide · Aydan Calafiore
  33. [33]
    'Invisible Boys' Shines Light on Queer Stories - Variety Australia
    Feb 13, 2025 · Set against the backdrop of the 2017 same-sex referendum, the 10-part series is based on Holden Sheppard's bestselling novel of the same name.
  34. [34]
    It's Our Time (2025) - IMDb
    Rating 8.6/10 (34) It's Our Time: Directed by Joy Hopwood. With Peter Thurnwald, Bianca Bradey, Khan Chittenden, Kya Stewart. Filmmaker, Emilia Kong is about to be evicted and ...
  35. [35]
    It's Our Time (2025) - The Screen Guide
    A filmmaker on the verge of being evicted who applies for funding through fictional organisation Film Reach to get her script financed and appease her landlord.
  36. [36]
    Khan Chittenden - Actor & creative wanderer | LinkedIn
    Khan graduated from the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in 2004 and has since performed across disciplines and genres.
  37. [37]
    The Gift - Australian Television Information Archive
    Jan 22, 2002 · 1997. How would you like to be a 13-year-old child and be handed the ... Kahn Best [Khan Chittenden], Leo McCormick. Igor Sas, Robert Elgin.
  38. [38]
    http://www.australiantelevision.net/as/series12.html
  39. [39]
    https://www.themoviedb.org/tv/13796-underbelly/season/4/cast
  40. [40]
    All Saints: series 12 (2009) - Australian Television Information Archive
    ... Khan Chittenden as Corey, Hazem Shammas as Gazza. With: Celeste Barber as Bree Matthews, Shameer Birges as Constable O'Donnell, Adam Ray as Marriage ...
  41. [41]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1283963/
  42. [42]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454096/
  43. [43]
    West (2007) - IMDb
    Rating 5.8/10 (619) Khan Chittenden (Pete) and Gillian Alexy (Cheryl) both previously worked on the Children's Television Series The Gift 10 years earlier.Filming & production · Full cast & crew · User reviews · 5 of 22
  44. [44]
    In Her Skin (2009) - IMDb
    Rating 6.4/10 (5,904) David Reid · Kate Bell · Rachel Barber · Khan Chittenden · Manni · Graeme Blundell · Ivan · John Butler · Busker · Justine Clarke.Full cast & crew · User reviews · Parents guide · Guy Pearce
  45. [45]
    Loveless (Short 2010) - IMDb
    Loveless: Directed by Maziar Lahooti. With Khan Chittenden, Pia Miranda. Loveless is a story about love and addiction. Juxtaposing two time lines, ...
  46. [46]
    Needle (2010) - IMDb
    Rating 4.8/10 (3,234) Khan Chittenden · Jed · Malcolm Kennard · Detective Reddick · Chanel Marriott · Lucy · Michael Loney · Robert Shaw.
  47. [47]
    Notes (Short 2014) - IMDb
    Notes: Directed by Josef Ber. With Josef Ber, Wayne Blair, Matthew Charleston, Khan Chittenden. Gary is down on his luck. When opportunity comes knocking, ...
  48. [48]
    Nulla Nulla (Short 2015) - IMDb
    Rating 6.5/10 (33) Top Cast4 ; Wayne Blair · Black Cop ; Khan Chittenden · White Cop ; Audrey Martin · Big Nana ; Pamela Sampson · Little Nana.