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Chasen Joseph Schneider is an American actor born on December 31, 1991, in Los Angeles, California. He is the adopted son of legendary Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider and his ex-wife Elly Castle.
Chasen trained at the prestigious London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA) and is best known for his roles in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Anderson Bench, and Hate Crime.
Quick Bio
| Details | Information |
| Full Name | Chasen Joseph Schneider |
| Date of Birth | December 31, 1991 |
| Birthplace | Los Angeles, California |
| Age (2026) | 34 years old |
| Height | Approximately 5 feet 8 inches |
| Weight | Approximately 75 kg (165 lbs) |
| Nationality | American |
| Father | John Michael Schneider |
| Mother | Elly Castle |
| Siblings | Leah Schneider, Karis Schneider, Mandy Castle |
| Education | LAMDA, Columbia Gorge School of Theater |
| Known For | The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Hate Crime |
| Net Worth | Approximately $2 million |
| Residence | Brooklyn, New York |
Who Is Chasen Joseph Schneider?
Chasen Joseph Schneider is an American actor, classically theater-trained, and the adopted son of the legendary Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider. Despite carrying a famous surname, Chasen earned his acting roles through merit, through auditions, formal training, and stage performances.
His mother, Elly Castle, married John in 1993, and after their marriage, John adopted Chasen and his siblings from Elly’s previous relationship. John Schneider treated every child in the family with equal care and love, making no distinction between biological and adopted children throughout their upbringing.
Chasen Joseph Schneider Family Background
John Michael Schneider: His Famous Father
John Richard Schneider, born April 8, 1960, is an American actor and singer best known for his portrayal of Bo Duke in The Dukes of Hazzard, as Jonathan Kent in Smallville, and as Jim Cryer in The Haves and the Have Nots.
John Schneider plays a central role in Chasen’s story on multiple levels. Chasen opened up that he got his first role in The Secret Life of the American Teenager because of his dad. His dad was also in the show, and when the creator asked him if he knew any child actors, he suggested Chasen’s name.
But his dad did not want the creator to cast Chasen just because he was his son, so Chasen had to do a table read and prove he was suitable for the role. This detail says a great deal about both John’s integrity and Chasen’s own talent.
Leah Schneider: His Sister
Chasen has two biological elder sisters named Mandy Castle and Leah Michelle Castle. Leah is a camerawoman, director, and executive producer known for her work in Project Runway (2005 to 2013), Project Runway All Stars (2013 to 2014), and Jobyna (2010). Both were born to Elly from her past relationship.
Karis Schneider: His Half-Sister
John Schneider and Elly Castle also welcomed a biological daughter named Karis during their marriage. John told Father.com in 2012 that he has four kids, Mandy, Leah, Chasen and Karis, and he is the father to all of them, but Karis is his only biological child among the four.
Dee Dee Benkie: His Stepmother
John Schneider is now married to actress and Emmy-winning television personality Dee Dee Benkie. Schneider and Benkie met in July 2023 at the Hollywood Museum in Los Angeles and got married in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas on July 23, 2024. With this marriage, Dee Dee Benkie became the stepmother of John’s three children, including Leah Michelle Castle, Chasen Joseph Schneider, and Karis Schneider.
Chasen Joseph Schneider: Height and Physical Appearance
Chasen stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches in height and weighs around 75 kg or 165 lbs. He carries a lean, athletic build that suits his stage and screen presence well. His physical appearance reflects his years of classical training in movement, stage combat, and dance at LAMDA.
Chasen Joseph Schneider’s Movies and Television Career
The Secret Life of the American Teenager
Chasen received his first professional experience at the age of sixteen, playing the featured role of Joe Hampton on The Secret Life of the American Teenager. He went on to reprise the role for a total of twelve episodes during the run of the show.
Joe Hampton is portrayed as a recurring character at Grant High School who conducts illegal business on campus, including making fake IDs for other students. This role gave Chasen his first real taste of professional TV acting and introduced him to a national audience.
Training at LAMDA
At the age of eighteen, Chasen decided he needed more experience before taking on the professional world full-time. He applied to several British drama schools, including RADA, Guildford, the Royal Scottish Academy, and LAMDA.
Chasen completed LAMDA’s three-year BA Acting course. He lived in London and received full training in classical and modern theatrical and film acting, as well as movement, stage combat, dance, voice, singing, theatrical clown, voice acting, and various other disciplines.
His teachers included veteran actors and directors of Shakespeare’s Globe, the RSC, the BBC, the National Theater, and countless other theatrical and film productions. He performed for the public in his third year, including shows at Riverside Studios and Trafalgar Studios.
He joined the British agency Shepperd Fox in his third year. He graduated in 2013, performed two showcases in New York City and Los Angeles, and eventually settled in New York in 2014.
Anderson Bench and Hate Crime
After returning from London, Chasen built his screen resume further. He worked on the Anderson Bench in 2016 and the Hate Crime in 2017. The 2017 independent film Hate Crime stands as one of his strongest performances to date and demonstrates the depth of dramatic training he brings to every role.
Columbia Gorge School of Theater
At the age of eleven, Chasen attended the Columbia Gorge School of Theater in Washington state. It was there that he first learned the Meisner technique, as taught by Jesse Merz, as well as singing, dance, film acting, and movement. He went back every summer up to 2009 for a total of seven summers. This early dedication to craft separates Chasen from many celebrity children who step into acting without formal grounding.
Chasen Joseph Schneider and Asperger’s Syndrome
One of the most important and inspiring parts of Chasen’s story involves his health journey. Chasen was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome in his early childhood. His father, John Schneider, says their family was fortunate to get an early diagnosis. John credits Chasen directly with inspiring him to form the organization Actors For Autism.
While talking about his son’s diagnosis, John said Chasen has Asperger’s and that other geniuses most probably had the same syndrome, including Albert Einstein and Thomas Jefferson. He also talked about Chasen’s unique ability to remember everything regarding baseball, including player names, dates, and statistics.
Chasen’s journey proves that an Asperger’s diagnosis does not limit a person’s potential. He completed one of the world’s most rigorous acting programs, worked professionally on both sides of the Atlantic, and continues to build a meaningful career in entertainment.
Little-Known Facts About Chasen Joseph Schneider
Here are several facts that most articles about Chasen completely overlook.
The diagnosis of Asperger’s was triggered by a specific observation a pediatrician made about Chasen’s reaction to a red and yellow balloon. John Schneider has shared this particular detail in multiple interviews.
Chasen worked as a file clerk for Photofest for about eight months after returning from London. During that time, he integrated new music photos into existing folders and organized several folders into specific drawers. This shows a grounded work ethic that many people in his position never develop.
Chasen enrolled with Shepperd Fox, a talent agency in Britain, while he was still studying at LAMDA, making him a working professional before he even graduated.
Chasen was in high school when he landed his very first acting job. The cast members on the set of The Secret Life of the American Teenager did their best to make him feel comfortable, and he genuinely enjoyed working on the show.
Chasen recognized his father’s fame at some point between the ages of six and seven, when strangers would approach him at Disney World and ask about being related to John Schneider.
The Relationship Between Chasen and John Schneider
The bond between Chasen and John Schneider goes far beyond adoption paperwork. They appeared on screen together in The Secret Life of the American Teenager, in Anderson Bench, and in Hate Crime. John publicly championed Chasen’s talent while simultaneously demanding that he earn every role independently through auditions and preparation.
John Schneider credits Chasen directly with inspiring him to create the organization Actors For Autism, turning his son’s personal challenge into a broader mission for the entertainment industry. That choice reflects the depth of John’s commitment to Chasen’s dignity and lasting legacy.
Chasen Joseph Schneider Net Worth and Current Life
Chasen holds a net worth of approximately $2 million. His primary source of income is acting. He currently lives in Brooklyn, New York, and continues working as a professional actor. He holds dual membership in SAG-AFTRA and Equity, which confirms his standing as a serious, working professional in both film and theater.
FAQs
Who is Chasen Joseph Schneider?
Chasen Joseph Schneider is an American actor born on December 31, 1991, in Los Angeles. He is the adopted son of Dukes of Hazzard star John Schneider and trained at LAMDA in London. He is best known for his roles in The Secret Life of the American Teenager and the 2017 film Hate Crime.
Is Chasen Joseph Schneider the biological son of John Schneider?
No. Chasen is the adopted son of John Schneider. John adopted him when he married Elly Castle. John has never hidden this fact and has always shown the same love and care to all his children, both adopted and biological.
What is Chasen Joseph Schneider’s height?
Chasen stands at approximately 5 feet 8 inches and weighs around 75 kg or 165 lbs.
Who is Leah Schneider?
Leah Michelle Castle is Chasen’s biological elder sister. She is a camerawoman, director, and executive producer known for her work on Project Runway and Project Runway All Stars. Both Leah and Chasen were born to Elly Castle before her marriage to John Schneider.
Who is Dee Dee Benkie?
Dee Dee Benkie is an Emmy-winning television and radio personality who married John Schneider in a surprise ceremony in Las Vegas on July 23, 2024. She is now the stepmother of Chasen Joseph Schneider, Leah Michelle Castle, and Karis Schneider.