Ben McKenzie Biography

Benjamin McKenzie studied foreign affairs and economics at the University of Virginia where his interest in acting began. Appearing in several theatrical productions including Zoo Story and Shakespeare's Measure for Measure McKenzie's passion gelled and after graduation he moved to New York City to pursue the stage. He appeared off-Broadway in Life is a Dream at the SoHo Rep and in multiple productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival including Street Scene and The Blue Bird. Soon Los Angeles beckoned and McKenzie headed West to try his luck on the TV audition circuit.
The handsome young actor quickly found success cutting his onscreen teeth with small appearances on the Craig T. Nelson police drama The District and as a petty officer on the military legal drama JAG. Ironically an unsuccessful audition for a UPN sitcom put McKenzie on the radar of the casting agents who would change his life. The O.C. was already a highly buzzed-about project a glossy teen drama with the distinction of being the brainchild of the youngest creator of a TV show in history the wunderkind Josh Schwartz. Execs were struggling to cast the main character Ryan Atwood a troubled Chino teen from the wrong side of the tracks who gets taken in by the wealthy Orange County-based Cohens (Peter Gallagher and Kelly Rowan). McKenzie's electrifying audition convinced producers to take the enormous gamble of resting a brand-new television show on the shoulders of an unknown and the hype machine kicked into overdrive with the actor's brooding mug soon becoming inescapable.

As a renowned expert and highly sought-after speaker, Ben McKenzie's expertise is in high demand. To book Ben McKenzie for your next event, conference, or workshop, please contact our speaker booking agency. Our experienced team will work closely with you to understand your specific needs and help secure Ben McKenzie's participation. With our professional guidance and seamless booking process, you can ensure a memorable and impactful experience for your audience. Don't miss the opportunity to engage your audience with Ben McKenzie's compelling insights and inspire positive change within your organization. Fill out the booking request form to take the first step in securing Ben McKenzie for your next speaking engagement.