Auto accident cuts short career of actor Chase Korte

At 24, the Twin Cities-area native was blossoming in Hollywood, entertaining "in a positive way."

By Ben Cohen, Star Tribune

Last update: February 19, 2007 - 8:29 PM

Chase Korte, a Twin Cities-area native who followed his dreams to Hollywood, died Feb. 10 in a car crash in California. He was 24.

The actor was widely recognized in Minnesota for playing a young driver who challenges a police officer to a drag race in a TV commercial for Treasure Island Resort & Casino in Red Wing.

Korte was a University of Minnesota graduate who was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Elk River.

His personal manager, Nancy Kremer of Los Angeles, said Korte had moved to the Los Angeles area a year ago, and his career was going "gangbusters."I felt very confident he would get some major leads in films and TV series in Hollywood," Kremer said. "I'll miss him."

During the past year, Korte had landed commercials, industrial film roles, a TV pilot audition and the lead in a movie.

The independent film, "Peace Walker," is still in production. In it, Korte plays a man who decides to walk for peace after his brother is killed in Iraq. The role called for Korte to walk the length of Great Britain.

Korte accomplished that task in real life last summer, walking 1,100 miles, said his mother, Linda Korte of Elk River.

"He was just ready to launch," said his mother, who added that he was a kind and generous person, even when he had little.

While in college, he played Macduff in Shakespeare's "Macbeth,"Inspector Rex" in a recent Fringe Festival role and several small parts at Twin Cities theaters.

Korte, who as a child put on shows in his parents' back yard, loved the movie "Braveheart," said his mother, and he used the theme for a pep rally production at Elk River High School in 2000.

In painted face and authentic costume, Korte portrayed Scotsman William Wallace giving his famous rallying speech to his soldiers.

Of course, Korte's fiery script was directed at the high school's homecoming football opponent.

He said, "They may take our lives, but they'll never take our homecoming," said his mother.

"He wanted to work on good film projects, entertain in a positive way," said his mother. "That's the despair you feel."

Korte had recently become eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild, and he joined the day before the accident.

According to the Feb. 12 San Bernardino County Sun and Linda Korte, his car was hit from behind on Interstate Hwy. 40 in San Bernardino County, Calif., by a much faster-moving car. The driver of the other car was injured.

In addition to his mother, he is survived by his father, Patrick of Elk River; a brother, Joel of St. Paul, and grandmothers Patricia Morris of La Crosse, Wis., and Eva Jones of Morris, Minn.

Services have been held.

Ben Cohen • bcohen@startribune.com

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