Grew up in Brooklyn, New York. Graduated from P.S. 197 on June 28, 1963. Graduated from James Madison H.S. in June 1967. His surname comes from the Russian word "Chayka" which means "Seagull." His uncle is the director George Bloomfield. Attended SUNY Buffalo. Was a founding member of Swampfox Theater, Buffalo NY 1968-? After graduating from college, he moved to Toronto where he currently resides. His daughter, with Susannah Hoffman, is named Rose. His mother was Canadian and his father American. Appeared in four movies with Diane Keaton: Mrs. Soffel (1984), Northern Lights (1997) (TV), Plan B (2001/I) and Crossed Over (2002) (TV), and appeared in her directorial debut Unstrung Heroes (1995).
