After more than six years of corporate routine in New York, Dallas, San Francisco, and Chicago, Chase realized there was more to life than high-tech companies and startups. Like many others who come to Hollywood every day with dreams of stardom, Chase aspired to become a professional actor. A Los Angeles native, he did not have far to go — geographically speaking. He knew he would have to give up financial stability and would probably have to wait tables for a while to achieve his dream, but he had little doubt that it would ultimately pay off.

To clear his head, Chase went to Barcelona, Spain, before returning to Los Angeles to pursue acting full-time. Although he was born in Los Angeles, he grew up in various parts of the world, including South Korea, Panama, and Peru. In 1997, Chase earned a bachelor's degree in history and political science from the University of California, San Diego, and is a big Los Angeles Dodgers fan.