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.

Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Self
2025

Bloat
Jack Reynolds
2025

I Want You Back
Leighton's Dad
2022

The Accidental Wolf
Cast · (4 episodes)
2020

Line of Duty
Dean Keller
2019

The Report
Scrubbed CIA Officer
2019

Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
Self
2017

Some Kind of Beautiful
Brian
2015

The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self · (1 episode)
2015

The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2015

Gotham
James 'Jim' Gordon · (100 episodes)
2014

Decoding Annie Parker
Tom
2014

Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self · (1 episode)
2014

Goodbye World
Nick
2013

The Advocates
Henry Bird
2013

Adventures in the Sin Bin
Michael
2012

Men At Work
Bryan · (1 episode)
2012

Batman: Year One
Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
2011

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Odnarb (voice) · (1 episode)
2010

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest · (1 episode)
2009

Southland
Ben Sherman · (43 episodes)
2009

Johnny Got His Gun
Joe Bonham
2008

88 Minutes
Mike Stempt
2007

The Reichen Show
Self · (1 episode)
2005

Desperate Souls
2005

Junebug
Johnny
2005

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self · (1 episode)
2005

The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self · (2 episodes)
2003

The O.C.
Ryan Atwood · (92 episodes)
2003

Punk'd
Self · (2 episodes)
2003

Real Time with Bill Maher
Self · (1 episode)
2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self · (1 episode)
2003

Abby
(1 episode)
2003
Good Day Live
Self · (1 episode)
2001

The District
Tim Ruskin · (1 episode)
2000

The View
Self · (2 episodes)
1997

MADtv
Ryan Atwood · (1 episode)
1995

JAG
Petty Officer Spencer · (1 episode)
1995

Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest · (2 episodes)
1993

LIVE with Kelly and Mark
(1 episode)
1988

Entertainment Tonight
Self · (1 episode)
1981