Christopher Lee Kattan was born in Sherman Oaks, California, to model Hajni Joslyn and actor Kip King. Chris's family moved to Mount Baldy, California, when he turned 5, and resided there until he was the age of 15, when he moved to Bainbridge Island, Washington for high school.

After he graduated from high school, Chris moved to the L.A. area to join up with the improv/sketch comedy group The Groundlings. He became a featured player on Saturday Night Live (1975) in March of 1996, and a cast member in September of the same year. He remained on the show until May 2003. Chris lives in the Los Angeles area.