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.
Movies 18
Motor City
as Detective Kent
2026
The Report
as Scrubbed CIA Officer
2019
Some Kind of Beautiful
as Brian
2014
88 Minutes
as Mike Stempt
2007
Batman: Year One
as Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
2011
Line of Duty
as Dean Keller
2019
I Want You Back
as Leighton's Dad
2022
Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
as Self - Cryptocurrency Critic, Actor and Author
2026
Junebug
as Johnny
2005
Goodbye World
as Nick
2013
Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
as Self
2017
Bloat
as Jack Reynolds
2025
Decoding Annie Parker
as Tom
2014
Johnny Got His Gun
as Joe Bonham
2008
Adventures in the Sin Bin
as Michael
2012
The Advocates
as Henry Bird
2013
Desperate Souls
2005
Gotham: The Legend Reborn
as Self
2014TV Shows 31
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
as Self - Guest
2009
The Daily Show
as Self - Guest
1996
Late Show with David Letterman
as Self - Guest
1993
Late Night with Seth Meyers
as Self - Guest
2014
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
as Self - Guest
2015
Conan
as Self - Guest
2010
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
as Self - Guest
2005
The View
as Self
1997
Real Time with Bill Maher
as Self
2003
The Late Late Show with James Corden
as Self - Guest
2015
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
as Self
1988
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
as Self - Guest
2003
JAG
as Petty Officer Spencer
1995
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
as Self - Guest
1993
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
as Self
2003
Gotham
as James 'Jim' Gordon
2014
Good Day Live
as Self
2001
The O.C.
as Ryan Atwood
2003
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
as Odnarb (voice)
2010
The District
as Tim Ruskin
2000
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
as Self - Guest
2018
Sheriff Country
as Sheriff Tim Wade
2025
The Reichen Show
as Self
2005
Punk'd
as Self
2003
Entertainment Tonight
as Self
1981
Southland
as Ben Sherman
2009
Men at Work
as Bryan
2012
MADtv
as Ryan Atwood
1995
The Accidental Wolf
as Cast
2020
Abby
2003
Gotham Stories
as James Gordon
2016