Benjamin Walker (actor)
Benjamin Walker | |
|---|---|
| Occupation(s) | Film, television actor |
Benjamin Walker (born 1982) is an American actor, best known for his film appearances in Kinsey (as Alfred Kinsey at age 19), Harlon Block in Clint Eastwood's Flags of Our Fathers, and his critically acclaimed portrayal of Andrew Jackson in the Off- and On Broadway incarnations of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.
Personal life
Walker attended Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia, Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, and the Juilliard School in NYC. He graduated from the Juilliard Actor Training Program in 2004. Walker became engaged to actress Mamie Gummer in 2009.[1]
Stage work
In February 2007, Walker portrayed Bertram Cates in the Broadway revival of Inherit the Wind[2] opposite two-time Tony Award winners Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy, and Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare, under the direction of Doug Hughes.[3] The production of Inherit the Wind opened at the Lyceum Theatre on April 12 and enjoyed a 10-week run to a capacity house. Inherit the Wind was nominated for four Tony awards including best revival.
In April 2008, Walker appeared as the Chevalier Danceny in the Roundabout Theatre Company's production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses directed by Rufus Norris and starring Laura Linney, Ben Daniels and Mamie Gummer, Benjamin Walker played the inexperienced lover who becomes the sex pawn of the pernicious La Marquise de Merteuil (Linney). Described as the "definitive battle of the sexes" by Broadway World [4] the production enjoyed a capacity house and was nominated for six Tony awards.
Walker's other theater credits include The Arrangements at the Atlantic Theatre Company (NYC - 2005), the Lincoln Center Theatre workshop of Spring Awakening (NYC - 2005), Lady Windermere's Fan (Williamstown Theatre Festival - 2005), and Romeo and Juliet (Williamstown Theatre Festival - 2006).
Also a stand-up comedian, Walker has performed at Caroline's (NYC), Comedy Village (NYC) and The Comedy Store (Los Angeles). His comedy show, "Find the Funny", which features comics and taped short narratives and skits, is performed regularly in New York City.[5]
Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson
Walker initially starred as Andrew Jackson in the Alex Timbers/Michael Friedman musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, during its December 2007 world premiere at the Center Theatre Group's Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles, CA.
An irreverent rock musical retelling of the life and legacy of Jackson, Walker has continued to star in the show's numerous incarnations to great critical acclaim since its debut, including Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: The Concert Version (a four week workshop run at New York's Public Theatre in March 2009), and its thrice-extended return engagement at The Public in March 2010.[6]
Critically acclaimed for his portrayal of Andrew Jackson, he went on to reprise his performance on Broadway. The production, which played at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre, opened on October 13, 2010.[7] It closed on January 2, 2011 despite critical raves.
Film roles
Walker starred in Will Frears' short narrative film, All Saint's Day (2007), which ran at Tribeca, Sarasota, and SCADs film festivals. The film was the Savannah College of Art and Design winner for the narrative short category.
Walker appeared in two independent films in 2009: in Will Frears' Coach[8] as "Andy" and in Ron Daniel's film adaption of Naomi Wallace's play The War Boys (2009) as "David".
On June 17, 2010, Walker was cast as Hank McCoy / Beast in X-Men: First Class, but as of July 15, 2010 he dropped out of the role to star in the Broadway musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.[9]
It was announced on January 28, 2011, that Walker would player the starring role in the film adaptation of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.[10]
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | My Favorite Fairy Tales Volume 2: The Three Little Pigs/The Ugly Duckling/The Wolf and the Seven Little Kids | Voice | Direct-to-video |
| My Favorite Fairy Tales Volume 4: The Wizard of Oz; The Magic Carpet; Alibaba and Forty Thieves | Voice | Direct-to-video | |
| 2004 | Kinsey | Kinsey at 19 | |
| 2006 | Unconscious | John Stradlater | |
| Flags of Our Fathers | Harlon Block | ||
| 2007 | Wasted NYC | Billy | |
| All Saints Day | Matthew | ||
| 2009 | The War Boys | David | |
| 2010 | Coach | Andy | |
| 2011 | The Hot Potato | Danny | |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2006 | 3 lbs | Nick Ross | 1 episode |
References
- ^ http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Mamie_Gummer_Engaged_to_Stage_Actor_Ben_Walker_20091020
- ^ http://broadway.yahoo.com/shows/show.php?s=wind
- ^ Opening Night: Inherit the Wind, Video Feature: Broadway.com Buzz
- ^ http://baltimore.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=27476
- ^ http://www.newyorker.com/talk/2010/05/24/100524ta_talk_widdicombe
- ^ http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BLOODY_BLOODY_ANDREW_JACKSON_Plays_The_Public_Theatre_Previews_3232010_20091022
- ^ http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BLOODY_BLOODY_Opens_at_Bernard_Jacobs_Theatre_1013_20101013#ixzz12LRjk4Fr
- ^ http://www.lightning-ent.com/movie/view/84
- ^ "Benjamin Walker to Star in Broadway Transfer of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson". Broadway.com. 2010-07-15. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ "Ben Walker is Abe Lincoln, 'Vampire Hunter'". variety.com. 2011-01-28. Retrieved 2011-01-28.
{{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help)