
Ben McKenzie
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.
Known For

TV
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009

TV
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self
2014

TV
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self
2005

TV
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self
2015

TV
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self - Guest
2015

TV
JAG
Petty Officer Spencer
1995

TV
The View
Self
1997

TV
Real Time with Bill Maher
Self
2003

TV
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self
2003

TV
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self
1988

TV
Gotham
James 'Jim' Gordon
2014

TV
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
TV
Good Day Live
Self
2001

TV
The O.C.
Ryan Atwood
2003

TV
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self
2003

TV
Southland
Ben Sherman
2009

TV
Punk'd
Self
2003

TV
The Reichen Show
Self
2005

TV
The District
Tim Ruskin
2000

TV
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Odnarb (voice)
2010
Filmography
2026FilmEveryone Is Lying to You for Moneyas Self2025FilmMotor Cityas Kent2025FilmBloatas Jack Reynolds2022FilmI Want You Backas Leighton's Dad2020TVThe Accidental Wolfas Cast2019FilmLine of Dutyas Dean Keller2019FilmThe Reportas Scrubbed CIA Officer2017FilmNight of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programsas Self2016TVGotham Storiesas James Gordon2015FilmSome Kind of Beautifulas Brian2015TVThe Late Late Show with James Cordenas Self2014TVGothamas James 'Jim' Gordon2014FilmDecoding Annie Parkeras Tom2014TVLate Night with Seth Meyersas Self2013FilmGoodbye Worldas Nick2013FilmThe Advocatesas Henry Bird2012FilmAdventures in the Sin Binas Michael2012TVMen at Workas Bryan2011FilmBatman: Year Oneas Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)2010TVScooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporatedas Odnarb (voice)2009TVWatch What Happens Live with Andy Cohenas Self - Guest2009TVSouthlandas Ben Sherman2008FilmJohnny Got His Gunas Joe Bonham2007Film88 Minutesas Mike Stempt2005TVThe Reichen Showas Self2005FilmDesperate Souls2005FilmJunebugas Johnny2005TVThe Late Late Show with Craig Fergusonas Self2003TVThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas Self2003TVThe O.C.as Ryan Atwood2003TVPunk'das Self2003TVReal Time with Bill Maheras Self2003TVJimmy Kimmel Live!as Self2003TVAbby2001TVGood Day Liveas Self2000TVThe Districtas Tim Ruskin1997TVThe Viewas Self1995TVMADtvas Ryan Atwood1995TVJAGas Petty Officer Spencer1993TVLate Night with Conan O'Brienas Self - Guest1988TVLIVE with Kelly and Markas Self1981TVEntertainment Tonightas Self