Ben McKenzie
Acting • Born 1978-09-12
Biography
Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan (born September 12, 1978) is an American actor and commentator. He is best known for his starring television roles as Ryan Atwood on the teen drama The O.C. (2003–2007), Ben Sherman on the crime drama Southland (2009–2013), and James Gordon on the crime drama Gotham (2014–2019). After graduating in Economics and International Relations at the University of Virginia, he moved to New York in order to devote his attention to acting. There he received first in off-Broadway productions different roles, before moving to Los Angeles and was hired there for a starring role in the television series The OC, with the fourth season came to an end on 22 February 2007. For his portrayal of Ryan Atwood in the series he won several awards between 2003 and 2007. He made his film debut in the Academy Award-nominated film Junebug (2005), before appearing in films including 88 Minutes (2007), Goodbye World (2013), Some Kind of Beautiful (2014), and Line of Duty (2019). He has been married to actress Morena Baccarin since 2017; they have 2 children. His uncle is actor and Pulitzer Prize winner Robert Schenkkan; his second cousin is actress Sarah Drew.
Filmography
43 credits
Junebug
Movie • 2005
Johnny
88 Minutes
Movie • 2007
Mike Stempt
Batman: Year One
Movie • 2011
Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
Desperate Souls
Movie • 2005
I Want You Back
Movie • 2022
Leighton's Dad
Adventures in the Sin Bin
Movie • 2012
Michael
Goodbye World
Movie • 2013
Nick
Some Kind of Beautiful
Movie • 2015
Brian
Johnny Got His Gun
Movie • 2008
Joe Bonham
Bloat
Movie • 2025
Jack Reynolds
Decoding Annie Parker
Movie • 2014
Tom
Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
Movie • 2017
Self
The Advocates
Movie • 2013
Henry Bird
Line of Duty
Movie • 2019
Dean Keller
The Report
Movie • 2019
Scrubbed CIA Officer
Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Movie • 2026
Self
Motor City
Movie • 2025
Kent
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
TV • 2003
Self
The District
TV • 2000
Tim Ruskin
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
TV • 1988
Self
The View
TV • 1997
Self
The Accidental Wolf
TV • 2020
Cast
The O.C.
TV • 2003
Ryan Atwood
Abby
TV • 2003
MADtv
TV • 1995
Ryan Atwood
JAG
TV • 1995
Petty Officer Spencer
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
TV • 1993
Self - Guest
Southland
TV • 2009
Ben Sherman
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
TV • 2010
Odnarb (voice)
Good Day Live
TV • 2001
Self
Real Time with Bill Maher
TV • 2003
Self
Gotham
TV • 2014
James 'Jim' Gordon
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
TV • 2005
Self
Punk'd
TV • 2003
Self
Men at Work
TV • 2012
Bryan
The Late Late Show with James Corden
TV • 2015
Self
The Late Late Show with James Corden
TV • 2015
Self - Guest
The Reichen Show
TV • 2005
Self
Late Night with Seth Meyers
TV • 2014
Self
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
TV • 2009
Self - Guest
Entertainment Tonight
TV • 1981
Self
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
TV • 2003
Self
Gotham Stories
TV • 2016
James Gordon