Ben McKenzie - Actor Profile

Ben McKenzie

Acting
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
17Total Films
8.0 Highest Rated
Born: Sep 12, 1978
Birth Place: Austin, Texas, USA

About Ben McKenzie

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.

Ben McKenzie Movies & Career Overview

The filmography of Ben McKenzie reflects a career marked by diverse experimentation. Across 17 major appearances, the actor has built a reputation through performances in multiple genres and storytelling styles.

Dominant Genre

A large portion of Ben McKenzie's work falls within the Drama genre, where audiences tend to respond most strongly to their on-screen presence.

Success Ratio

Approximately 24% of Ben McKenzie's films maintain ratings above 6.5, indicating a consistent level of audience approval.

One of the most highly rated entries in their career remains Motor City, which stands out as a key performance.

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Best Ben McKenzie Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Ben McKenzie's career based on audience ratings.

Full Filmography

Every movie Ben McKenzie has appeared in, with audience ratings and verdicts.

Ben McKenzie - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Ben McKenzie?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Ben McKenzie is "Motor City" with a rating of 8.0/10.

How many movies has Ben McKenzie acted in?

Ben McKenzie has been featured in at least 17 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Ben McKenzie?

Other notable films include "Batman: Year One", "The Report", and "Junebug".

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