Benjamin Walker (actor)
Benjamin Walker | |
|---|---|
 Walker in March 2012. | |
| Born | June 21, 1982[1][2] |
| Occupation(s) | Film, television actor |
| Spouse | Mamie Gummer |
Benjamin Walker (born 21 June1982[1][2]) 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.
Education and personal life
Walker attended Cartersville High School in Cartersville, Georgia, the Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, Michigan, and the Juilliard School in New York City.[3] He graduated from the Juilliard Actor Training Program in 2004.[4] Walker became engaged to actress Mamie Gummer, the daughter of Meryl Streep, in 2009[1] and they were married in 2011.[5]
Stage work
In February 2007, Walker portrayed Bertram Cates in the Broadway revival of Inherit the Wind[6] opposite two-time Tony Award winners Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy, and Tony Award winner Denis O'Hare, under the direction of Doug Hughes.[7] 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[8] 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.[9]
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.[10] He went on to reprise his performance in the Broadway production at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre, which opened on October 13, 2010 to rave reviews.[11] The production closed on January 2, 2011.
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[12] 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 'walked' out of the role to star in the Broadway musical Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson.[13]
It was announced on January 28, 2011, that Walker would play the starring role in the film adaptation of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter.[14] Walker told Rolling Stone magazine that he read a number of biographies on Lincoln to help prepare for the role.[15]
Walker was cast as Archangel Michael in Alex Proyas' film adaptation of Paradise Lost, but production was canceled as of February 9, 2012.[16]
As of May 10, 2012, Walker is filming the role of Kevin Kennedy in Stephen Frears' Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight.[17][18]
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | My Favorite Fairy Tales Volume 2 | Voice only | |
| My Favorite Fairy Tales Volume 4 | |||
| 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 | |
| 2012 | Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter | Abraham Lincoln | |
| Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight | Kevin Kennedy |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3 lbs | Nick Ross | 1 episode |
References
- ^ a b c "Mamie Gummer Engaged to Stage Actor Ben Walker". BroadwayWorld.com. October 20, 2009.
- ^ a b "30 Under 30 - Benjamin Walker". BroadwaySpace.com. 2011.
Age: 28
- ^ "INTERVIEW: Benjamin Walker". Broadway.com. April 19, 2007.
- ^ "The War Boys: Press Notes" (PDF). Retrieved September 12, 2011.
- ^ "Meryl Streep's daughter Mamie Gummer marries". Entertainment Weekly. July 20, 2011.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ Opening Night: Inherit the Wind, Video Feature: Broadway.com Buzz[dead link]
- ^ "Photo Coverage: Arrivals for 'LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES'". BroadwayWorld.com. May 2, 2008.
- ^ Widdicombe, Lizzie (May 24, 2010). "Finding The Funny". The New Yorker.
- ^ "BLOODY, BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON Plays The Public Theatre, Previews 3/23/2010". BroadwayWorld.com. October 22, 2009.
- ^ "BLOODY BLOODY Opens at Bernard Jacobs Theatre, 10/13". BroadwayWorld.com. October 13, 2010.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ "Coach". Lightning Entertainment.
- ^ "Benjamin Walker to Star in Broadway Transfer of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson". Broadway.com. July 15, 2010. Retrieved October 6, 2010.
- ^ "Ben Walker is Abe Lincoln, 'Vampire Hunter'". Variety.com. January 28, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.
- ^ Gavin Edwards (2012). "Big Dead President: Benjamin Walker". Rolling Stone (Summer Bonus Issue): 51.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - ^ "Legendary Pictures Scraps Alex Proyas' PARADISE LOST Starring Bradley Cooper". Collider.com. February 9, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Gawking at the shoot of Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight". AllOverAlbany.com. May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 17, 2012.
- ^ "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight". IMDb. Retrieved May 17, 2012.