Ben McKenzie

Ben McKenzie, born Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan in Austin, Texas on September 12, 1978, developed an early interest in performance, participating in theatre during his studies at the University of Virginia where he majored in Foreign Affairs and Economics. After graduating in 2001, he moved to New York City and immersed himself in off-off-Broadway and summer stock theatre productions. His career gained significant momentum after relocating to Los Angeles, leading to his breakthrough role as Ryan Atwood in Fox’s hit series “The O.C.” (2003–2007). This role not only garnered him widespread recognition and several Teen Choice Award nominations and wins but also established his on-screen persona as a “quiet, guarded leading man.” During this period, McKenzie also made his feature film debut in the Academy Award-nominated movie “Junebug” (2005) and played a role in “88 Minutes” (2007) alongside Al Pacino.

Following “The O.C.,” McKenzie took on the acclaimed role of rookie police officer Ben Sherman in the NBC (later TNT) crime drama “Southland” (2009–2013), a performance that earned him a PRISM Award nomination. He continued to expand his acting in film, notably starring in “Johnny Got His Gun” (2008), which received critical praise for his solo performance. A significant career progression came with his return to Fox as James “Jim” Gordon in the Batman-themed series “Gotham” (2014–2019). This long-running role saw him take on directing for three episodes and writing for two, marking his expansion into behind-the-camera roles. In 2020, McKenzie made his Broadway debut in the play “Grand Horizons,” further diversifying his artistic endeavors.

More recently, McKenzie has become a prominent voice regarding cryptocurrency, authoring the New York Times Bestseller “Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud” (2023) with Jacob Silverman. He has openly criticized the cryptocurrency market, appearing as a pundit on major news outlets and testifying before the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. His critical commentary has extended into filmmaking, with his directorial and writing debut on the investigative film “Everyone Is Lying to You for Money” (2025), which premiered at SXSW London. This period also includes acting roles in films like “Line of Duty” (2019) and the upcoming “Bloat” (2025) and “Motor City” (2025), demonstrating his continued work across acting, writing, and directing, alongside his public commentary.