He is known for playing Alvin "Al" Olinsky in the Chicago franchise, as well as appearing in lead and supporting roles in numerous films.

He appeared in such films as Some Kind of Wonderful (1987), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990), The Adjuster (1991), Exotica (1994), The Prophecy (1995), Crash (1996), Living Out Loud (1998), Fallen (1998), The Thin Red Line (1998), Harrison's Flowers (2002), Collateral Damage (2002), Shooter (2007), Zodiac (2007), Skinwalkers (2007), The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), and Shutter Island (2010).

Koteas was born in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, to a father who worked as a mechanic for the Canadian National Railways and a milliner mother.

[4] Koteas is a graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York as well as Vanier College in Montreal.

[5] Koteas has played major roles in Some Kind of Wonderful (1987),[6] The Adjuster (1991),[7] Exotica (1994),[8] Crash (1996),[9] Fallen (1998),[10] and The Thin Red Line (1998),[11] among other films.