Ben McKenzie
ActingAbout 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.
Career Statistics & Market Influence
Analyzing the cinematic journey of Ben McKenzie reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 17 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.
Genre Dominance: Drama
The majority of Ben McKenzie's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.
The "Box Office" Signature
With a 24% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Ben McKenzie remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Motor City, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.
Best Ben McKenzie Movies Ranked
Must-watch hits from Ben McKenzie's career based on audience ratings.
Complete Filmography & Success Status
Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Ben McKenzie.
| Year | Movie | Character | Success | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Motor City | Kent | Super Hit | Similar → |
| 2025 | Everyone Is Lying to You for Money | Self | Flop | Similar → |
| 2025 | Bloat | Jack Reynolds | Flop | Similar → |
| 2022 | I Want You Back | Leighton's Dad | Average | Similar → |
| 2019 | Line of Duty | Dean Keller | Average | Similar → |
| 2019 | The Report | Scrubbed CIA Officer | Hit | Similar → |
| 2017 | Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs | Self | Average | Similar → |
| 2015 | Some Kind of Beautiful | Brian | Average | Similar → |
| 2014 | Decoding Annie Parker | Tom | Average | Similar → |
| 2013 | Goodbye World | Nick | Flop | Similar → |
| 2013 | The Advocates | Henry Bird | Flop | Similar → |
| 2012 | Adventures in the Sin Bin | Michael | Flop | Similar → |
| 2011 | Batman: Year One | Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice) | Hit | Similar → |
| 2008 | Johnny Got His Gun | Joe Bonham | Flop | Similar → |
| 2007 | 88 Minutes | Mike Stempt | Average | Similar → |
| 2005 | Desperate Souls | - | Flop | Similar → |
| 2005 | Junebug | Johnny | Hit | Similar → |
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".