Benjamin McKenzie Bio (Biography)
Real name:
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan
Date of birth:
September 12. 1978
Place of birth:
Austin, Texas, USA
Astrology Sign:
Virgo
Height:
5' 8½" (1.74 m)
Tags:
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Biography
Benjamin McKenzie is an actor. He is popularly known as the character of Ryan Atwood on the high rated television drama "The O.C."
Benjamin McKenzie was born in Austin, Texas on September 12th, 1978. His mother is the prize winning poet Mary Frances Victory, and his uncle is Robert Schenkkan, a playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for "The Kentucky Cycle" (and who is also a television actor). When becoming an actor, Benjamin would change his last name from Schenkkan to MacKenzie because the Screen Actors Guild already had a Benjamin Schenkker registered. Graduating from Austin High School, Benjamin McKenzie first became interested in acting during college at the University of Virginia. After he got his bachelor's degree in Foreign Affairs and Economics he moved to New York and appeared in various theatre productions. He was in the off Broadway play "Life is a Dream" during this time, and also played in "Street Scene" and "The Blue Bird" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Back at the University of Virginia he also acted in productions of "Measure for Measure" and "Zoo Story".
In 2001, Benjamin McKenzie moved to Los Angeles and started finding work as a television actor. His early appearances in TV in 2002 and 2003 included one off roles on "The District", "Mad TV", and "Jag".
In 2003, Benjamin McKenzie obtained the leading role of Ryan Atwood in the series "The O.C.", which quickly became one of the more popular prime time drama series. He has remained in the role for the past four years and has appeared in nearly one hundred episodes of the popular show. Benjamin McKenzie is currently said to be looking for a new agent. His career is just beginning, but already he is gaining great momentum, and can be expected to have a wide choice of roles over the following years.
Benjamin McKenzie was born in Austin, Texas on September 12th, 1978. His mother is the prize winning poet Mary Frances Victory, and his uncle is Robert Schenkkan, a playwright who won the Pulitzer Prize for "The Kentucky Cycle" (and who is also a television actor). When becoming an actor, Benjamin would change his last name from Schenkkan to MacKenzie because the Screen Actors Guild already had a Benjamin Schenkker registered. Graduating from Austin High School, Benjamin McKenzie first became interested in acting during college at the University of Virginia. After he got his bachelor's degree in Foreign Affairs and Economics he moved to New York and appeared in various theatre productions. He was in the off Broadway play "Life is a Dream" during this time, and also played in "Street Scene" and "The Blue Bird" at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Back at the University of Virginia he also acted in productions of "Measure for Measure" and "Zoo Story".
In 2001, Benjamin McKenzie moved to Los Angeles and started finding work as a television actor. His early appearances in TV in 2002 and 2003 included one off roles on "The District", "Mad TV", and "Jag".
In 2003, Benjamin McKenzie obtained the leading role of Ryan Atwood in the series "The O.C.", which quickly became one of the more popular prime time drama series. He has remained in the role for the past four years and has appeared in nearly one hundred episodes of the popular show. Benjamin McKenzie is currently said to be looking for a new agent. His career is just beginning, but already he is gaining great momentum, and can be expected to have a wide choice of roles over the following years.