Ben McKenzie

Born

September 12, 1978 (46 years old)

Known For

Acting

Place of Birth

Austin, Texas, USA

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

Everyone Is Lying to You for Money

Self

0.0

2025

Bloat

Bloat

Jack Reynolds

5.0

2025

I Want You Back

I Want You Back

Leighton's Dad

6.3

2022

The Accidental Wolf

The Accidental Wolf

Cast · (4 episodes)

0.0

2020

Line of Duty

Line of Duty

Dean Keller

5.9

2019

The Report

The Report

Scrubbed CIA Officer

7.0

2019

Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs

Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs

Self

6.4

2017

Some Kind of Beautiful

Some Kind of Beautiful

Brian

5.6

2015

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Late Show with James Corden

Self · (1 episode)

5.3

2015

The Late Late Show with James Corden

The Late Late Show with James Corden

Self - Guest · (1 episode)

5.3

2015

Gotham

Gotham

James 'Jim' Gordon · (100 episodes)

7.6

2014

Decoding Annie Parker

Decoding Annie Parker

Tom

6.0

2014

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Late Night with Seth Meyers

Self · (1 episode)

5.3

2014

Goodbye World

Goodbye World

Nick

5.4

2013

The Advocates

The Advocates

Henry Bird

1.0

2013

Adventures in the Sin Bin

Adventures in the Sin Bin

Michael

4.3

2012

Men At Work

Men At Work

Bryan · (1 episode)

6.6

2012

Batman: Year One

Batman: Year One

Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)

7.2

2011

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated

Odnarb (voice) · (1 episode)

8.2

2010

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen

Self - Guest · (1 episode)

5.1

2009

Southland

Southland

Ben Sherman · (43 episodes)

7.9

2009

Johnny Got His Gun

Johnny Got His Gun

Joe Bonham

5.0

2008

88 Minutes

88 Minutes

Mike Stempt

5.8

2007

The Reichen Show

The Reichen Show

Self · (1 episode)

4.8

2005

Desperate Souls

Desperate Souls

1.0

2005

Junebug

Junebug

Johnny

6.6

2005

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson

Self · (1 episode)

6.8

2005

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

The Ellen DeGeneres Show

Self · (2 episodes)

5.7

2003

The O.C.

The O.C.

Ryan Atwood · (92 episodes)

7.7

2003

Punk'd

Punk'd

Self · (2 episodes)

5.0

2003

Real Time with Bill Maher

Real Time with Bill Maher

Self · (1 episode)

6.0

2003

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Self · (1 episode)

5.5

2003

Abby

Abby

(1 episode)

6.0

2003

Good Day Live

Self · (1 episode)

3.0

2001

The District

The District

Tim Ruskin · (1 episode)

6.8

2000

The View

The View

Self · (2 episodes)

4.4

1997

MADtv

MADtv

Ryan Atwood · (1 episode)

7.0

1995

JAG

JAG

Petty Officer Spencer · (1 episode)

7.3

1995

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Self - Guest · (2 episodes)

7.2

1993

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

LIVE with Kelly and Mark

(1 episode)

5.5

1988

Entertainment Tonight

Entertainment Tonight

Self · (1 episode)

4.3

1981