Ben Shenkman


Actor

About

Birth Place
Bethesda, Maryland, USA

Biography

Acclaimed actor of stage and screen Ben Shenkman graduated from Brown University, earned a MFA from New York University, and began acting in movies with a role in 1994's "Quiz Show." He pursued theater and film simultaneously. In 1996, he appeared in the Arnold Schwarzenegger thriller "Eraser." Two years later he was featured in the iconic independent drama "Pi." Carefully balancing his ...

Biography

Acclaimed actor of stage and screen Ben Shenkman graduated from Brown University, earned a MFA from New York University, and began acting in movies with a role in 1994's "Quiz Show." He pursued theater and film simultaneously. In 1996, he appeared in the Arnold Schwarzenegger thriller "Eraser." Two years later he was featured in the iconic independent drama "Pi." Carefully balancing his roles, Shenkman thrived in the acting profession. He made a name in the indie community with appearances in such noteworthy independent films as the drama "Jesus' Son," the dark drama "Requiem for a Dream," and the comedy noir "Roger Dodger." In 2001, his performance opposite Mary-Louise Parker in the Manhattan Theatre Club's production of "Proof" earned him accolades and a Tony nomination. In 2003, Shenkman's fame rose with the debut of the HBO drama miniseries "Angels in America," where he played the self-involved lover Louis Ironson. His performance earned him acclaim, including an Emmy and a Golden Globe nomination. Shenkman has continued to balance studio films like the romantic comedy "Must Love Dogs" with indie features like the drama "Brief Interviews with Hideous Men." Shenkman has also made television appearances on shows like the medical drama "Grey's Anatomy," the action series "Burn Notice," and the crime drama series "Damages."

Life Events

1998

Broadway debut in "Deep Blue Sea"

2000

Had a featured role in the award-winning play "Proof," starring Mary-Louise Parker, for which he received a Tony nomination

2003

Cast as Louis Ironside in the Mike Nichols-directed production of "Angels in America" (HBO), for which he received a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie (2004)

2005

Cast with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo in Mark Waters' "Just Like Heaven"

Bibliography