Benjamin McKenzie
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| Benjamin McKenzie | |
| Born | September 12, 1978 |
| Notable roles | Ryan Atwood on The O.C. |
Ben McKenzie (born Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan on September 12, 1978) is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for playing Ryan Atwood on the television series The O.C.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life
McKenzie was born in Austin, Texas to Pieter Meade Schenkkan and Mary Frances Victory, a prize-winning poet. His uncle is the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Robert Schenkkan. He played football at Austin High School before attending the University of Virginia, where he majored in Foreign Affairs and Economics. He got into acting during his first few years at the university, and moved to Los Angeles in late 2001 to look for acting opportunities.
[edit] Career
McKenzie appeared in minor television roles before being cast as Ryan Atwood, a troubled teen thrust into a new life in Newport Beach, on The O.C., which has become a ratings success.
McKenzie has volunteered as an actor with the Young Storytellers Program. He is a Baltimore Orioles fan and is known to attend games from time to time.
As of 2005, he became the third star of The O.C. to appear on Punk'd. He set up his co-star Adam Brody in 2004, and he appeared again on Punk'd in 2005, this time getting punk'd by Kutcher's crew members.
During the 2004 Democratic National Convention and in support of presidential candidate Senator John F. Kerry, McKenzie gave a speech appealing to young voters to go out and vote.
[edit] Credits
- 88 Minutes
- Junebug (Renaissance Films/Sony Pictures Classics)
- The O.C. (FOX)
- Zoo Story (University of Virginia)
- Measure for Measure (University of Virginia)
- The Blue Bird (Williamstown Theatre Festival)
- Street Scene (Williamstown Theatre Festival)
- Life is a Dream (Off-Broadway play)
