Ben McKenzie
Actor

Ben McKenzie Net Worth

Ben McKenzie is an American actor, director, and producer born in Austin, Texas on September 12, 1978. He attended the University of Virginia, where he majored in Foreign Affairs and Economics, and got into acting during his first few years there. After graduating, he moved to New York and appeared off-Broadway in various productions. He then relocated to Los Angeles in late 2001 and began appearing in TV shows such as The District, JAG, and Mad TV. In 2003, he was cast as Ryan Atwood in the FOX series The O.C., which made him a household name. He has since appeared in films such as Junebug, 88 Minutes, and Johnny Got His Gun, and in 2009 he starred in the NBC series Southland. Most recently, he has been cast as Jim Gordon in the Batman-themed series Gotham, which premiered in September 2014.
Ben McKenzie is a member of Actor

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Actor, Director, Producer
Birth Day September 12, 1978
Birth Place  Austin, Texas, United States
Age 45 YEARS OLD
Birth Sign Libra
Education Stephen F. Austin High School (Austin, Texas)
Alma mater University of Virginia (B.A.)
Occupation Actor/Director
Years active 2002–present
Spouse(s) Morena Baccarin (m. 2017)
Children 1

💰 Net worth: $950,000 (2024)

Ben McKenzie, a notable actor, director, and producer based in the United States, is estimated to have a net worth of $950,000 by the year 2024. Best known for his remarkable performances in various television shows and films, McKenzie has gained widespread recognition and admiration throughout his career. From his breakthrough role as Ryan Atwood in the critically acclaimed TV series "The O.C." to his portrayal of Detective James Gordon in the crime drama "Gotham," McKenzie has exhibited his versatility and talent as an actor. Apart from acting, he has also ventured into directing and producing, showcasing his multifaceted abilities in the entertainment industry. With his successful career trajectory, it's no wonder that McKenzie has amassed a substantial net worth.

Biography/Timeline

1967

Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan was born in Austin, Texas. He is of Dutch-Jewish, English, and Scottish descent. He is one of three boys born to Frances Victory Schenkkan, a poet, and Pieter Meade "Pete" Schenkkan, an attorney. His middle name, McKenzie, is his paternal grandmother's maiden name. His grandfather, Robert F. Schenkkan, was a professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and worked with President Lyndon B. Johnson on passing the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967. He is a nephew of Pulitzer Prize-winning Playwright Robert Schenkkan, Jr.

1997

For middle school, he attended St. Andrew's Episcopal School, where he was friends and flag football teammates with Future Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees. He attended Stephen F. Austin High School, playing wide receiver and defensive back for the school's football team. From 1997–2001, he attended the University of Virginia, his father and paternal grandfather's alma mater, where he majored in foreign affairs and economics. He uses his middle name as his stage name to avoid confusion with actor Ben Shenkman.

2003

From 2001 to 2003, McKenzie worked in part-time jobs and sought acting work in New York and Los Angeles before being cast as Ryan Atwood in The O.C. On August 5, 2003, Fox premiered the television series, about affluent teenagers with stormy personal lives in Orange County, California. The show became an overnight success and made McKenzie famous. His performance in The O.C. earned him "Choice Breakout TV Star - Male" and "Choice TV Chemistry" nominations in the Teen Choice Awards and "Choice TV Actor - Drama/Action Adventure" and "Choice TV Actor: Drama" wins. McKenzie reportedly earned between about $15,000 and $25,000 per episode throughout the show's run.

2005

While appearing in The O.C., McKenzie made his feature film debut in Junebug alongside Amy Adams and Embeth Davidtz. The film was nominated for "Best International Film" and "Outstanding Ensemble Acting" in the Amanda Awards and won the Sarasota Film Festival award for "Outstanding Ensemble Acting". It also received high praise at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival. According to Production Weekly, McKenzie was set to star in the thriller Snakes on a Plane, formerly known as Pacific Air 121, but later dropped out to film 88 Minutes, which starred Al Pacino.

2008

In 2008, McKenzie earned critical acclaim for his solo performance in the "live on stage, on film" version of Dalton Trumbo's 1939 novel Johnny Got His Gun, his first starring role in a feature film. He stars as Joe Bonham, a role previously played by James Cagney, Jeff Daniels, and Timothy Bottoms. The movie premiered at the Paramount Theater in Austin, McKenzie's hometown, while he was filming the pilot for Southland.

2009

McKenzie starred as rookie police officer Ben Sherman on the NBC drama Southland, which premiered on April 9, 2009. The show was canceled while in production on its second season. TNT bought the rights for the show and showed the seven episodes that had been produced. The show was subsequently renewed. However, the show was once again cancelled after the fifth season.

2014

McKenzie returned to Fox in the Batman prequel television show Gotham, which premiered on September 22, 2014. In the series, he portrays James Gordon as a young detective new to Gotham City. In the same series, he made his directorial debut with the season 3 episode "These Delicate and Dark Obsessions". McKenzie went on to direct "One of My Three Soups" and write "The Demon's Head" from the fourth season.

2016

In September 2015, Morena Baccarin said in a legal declaration involving her divorce that she planned to marry her Gotham co-star, McKenzie, adding that she was pregnant with their child. Their daughter Frances Laiz Setta Schenkkan was born March 2, 2016. Baccarin and McKenzie announced their engagement in November 2016. They were married on June 2, 2017 in Brooklyn, New York.

Some Ben McKenzie images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.