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Michael Benz

Michael Benz (born 1981 or 1982) is an English-American actor. Born in England to American parents, Benz grew up in London and attended the American School in London. He graduated from Georgetown University in 2004 and from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in 2007. Benz began his acting career as a child, starring as Mike in the British sitcom Mike and Angelo (1993–1998) and in the title role of the BBC miniseries Little Lord Fauntleroy (1995). His stage credits include the title role in Hamlet at Shakespeare's Globe (2012), for which he received a Helen Hayes Award nomination. On screen, he has appeared in films such as Joker (2019), Greyhound (2020), and The Wife (2017), and in television series including Downton Abbey (2013), For All Mankind (2021), and Up Here (2023).

Early life and education

Early life

Little is publicly known about Michael Benz's early life and family background.

Education

Benz earned a in from the , graduating magna cum laude.

Acting career

Michael Benz has no known professional acting career. References to acting roles, such as in theater productions or films like Downton Abbey and Joker, pertain to a different individual named Michael Benz, an English-American actor.

Filmography

Film

Michael Benz's film credits span voice work in animation and supporting roles in major productions, presented chronologically below.
YearTitleRoleNotes
1993We're Back! A Dinosaur's StoryAdditional Voices (voice)Provided voice acting for ensemble dinosaur and human characters in this animated adventure comedy directed by Dick Zondag, Ralph Zondag, Phil Nibbelink, and Simon Wells. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108526/fullcredits)
2010The Newest PledgeFuturistic Party Go-erAppeared in a minor ensemble role in this comedy about fraternity antics, directed by Jason Michael Brescia. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1695409/fullcredits)
2012City SlackerWell Presented ManFeatured in a supporting capacity in this independent comedy exploring urban relationships, directed by James R. Hansen. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1739298/fullcredits)
2016SnowdenCIA StudentPortrayed a trainee in the biographical thriller directed by Oliver Stone, focusing on Edward Snowden's early career at the CIA. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3774114/fullcredits)
2017The WifeWhitePlayed a minor role in the drama starring Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce, directed by Björn Runge, centered on literary recognition and marital dynamics. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3750872/fullcredits)
2019JokerWall Street ThreeOne of three ensemble harassers in the pivotal subway confrontation in Todd Phillips' psychological thriller starring Joaquin Phoenix. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7286456/characters/nm0073121)
2020GreyhoundLieutenant CarlingServed as a naval officer in the World War II action film directed by Aaron Schneider, with Tom Hanks as the lead commander. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6048922/fullcredits)
2021Jack London's Martin EdenHenry HapgoodDepicted the socialist writer and editor in this adaptation of Jack London's novel, directed by Jay Craven, set in early 20th-century America. [] (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10450832/fullcredits)

Television

Benz began his television career with a leading role in the British children's series Mike and Angelo, portraying Mike Mason across 60 episodes from 1993 to 1998 on ITV's CITV block, where he was a recurring main cast member as the nephew of the central character Rita. His next major television appearance was in the BBC miniseries Little Lord Fauntleroy (1995), playing the titular Cedric Errol in all six episodes, a lead role in this period drama adaptation. In later years, Benz took on guest and recurring roles in several high-profile series. He appeared as Ethan Slade, valet to Harold Levinson, in one episode (the 2013 Christmas special, aired in the US in 2014) of Downton Abbey on ITV/PBS, marking a guest appearance in the period drama. He then played Smythe in five episodes of the ABC time-travel series Time After Time (2017), a recurring supporting role as a young H.G. Wells associate. Benz portrayed USAF Captain Gary Piscotty in seven episodes of Apple TV+'s alternate-history drama (2021), recurring across the entire second season as a key figure. Most recently, he appeared as Kevin in six episodes of the Hulu musical comedy Up Here (2023), a recurring role in this romantic ensemble series.

References

  1. [1]
    Michael Benz, a conservative crusader against online censorship ...
    Oct 6, 2023 · Michael Benz, a former Trump state department official whose work has been cited in congressional hearings and promoted by Elon Musk, ...
  2. [2]
    Mike Benz, Author at Foundation for Freedom Online
    Michael Benz is the Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online. Previously, Mr. Benz served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International ...
  3. [3]
    Michael A. Benz - United States Department of State
    Nov 24, 2020 · Michael A. Benz, Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Policy, Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.
  4. [4]
    Mike Benz - National Conservatism Conference, Washington 2024
    Mike Benz is the Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online. He is a former State Department official with responsibilities in formulating and negotiating US ...
  5. [5]
    Foundation for Freedom Online: Home
    Foundation For Freedom Online (FFO) is a free speech watchdog dedicated to restoring the promise of a free and open Internet.
  6. [6]
    Georgetown Alumnus Reaches Shakespearian Heights
    Oct 25, 2012 · He was born in England, but his parents, Thomas (F'70), and Peggy Benz, a palliative care nurse, are American. They moved to London more than ...
  7. [7]
    Michael Benz - IMDb
    Michael Benz is an actor, known for Joker (2019), For All Mankind (2021), Up Here (2023), The Wife (2017), Greyhound (2020), and Downton Abbey (2013/2014)
  8. [8]
    Michael Benz - Trivia, Family, Bio | Famous Birthdays
    Family Life. His parents are American. He has dual British-American citizenship. He had five siblings. ; Associated With. He played a CIA student in the 2016 ...
  9. [9]
    Michael Benz | For All Mankind Wiki - Fandom
    Benz was born in London to American parents and grew up in England. He attended the American School in London and graduated from Georgetown University.
  10. [10]
    Michael Benz - Biography - IMDb
    Born in London to American parents, he has dual British-American citizenship. · He was a student at the American School in London for several years. · He trained ...
  11. [11]
    10 Questions with The Little Foxes Star Michael Benz - BroadwayBox
    May 9, 2017 · I was raised in the UK by American parents but my natural accent is more American than English, especially since living in NYC...but getting ...
  12. [12]
    Mike and Angelo star Michael Benz looks unrecognisable 29 years ...
    Feb 16, 2022 · The sci-fi comedy initially centred around Mike King (Matt Wright) after he and his mother Rita moved to London from the United States. Sign up ...
  13. [13]
    Mike and Angelo - Wikipedia
    Rita's nephew Mike Mason (Michael Benz) is introduced - as well being in keeping with the title of the series (despite the character of Ellie in Series 4), Benz ...History · Tetra Films era (series 5-12) · Cast and characters · Main
  14. [14]
    Characters | Mike and Angelo Wiki - Fandom
    Mike Mason, Michael Benz, The second and longest running Mike and son to Patti and Barney Mason. Is the most well known 'Mike' ; Mickey. Michaela "Mickey" Fawkes ...
  15. [15]
    Michael Benz - RADA
    Michael Benz, BA in Acting Degree (H Level), Year of graduation 2007, RADA, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.Missing: actor Georgetown University
  16. [16]
    BA (Hons) in Acting — RADA
    ### Summary of BA (Hons) Acting at RADA
  17. [17]
    Winter's Tale, The · Shakespeare - Learning on Screen
    Video recording of the Shakespeare's Globe Theatre's 2008 touring production of The Winter's Tale directed by John Dove. ... Michael Benz · Paulina · Fergal ...Missing: debut | Show results with:debut
  18. [18]
    Theatre reviews: Les Parents Terribles | The Winter's Tale
    Jun 19, 2008 · ... Paulina, Hermione's waiting-woman, taken – albeit with commendable discipline and seriousness – by young Michael Benz, in a matronly frock.
  19. [19]
    The Winter's Tale (Globe Touring) @ The Bodleian Library, Oxford
    Aug 19, 2008 · One of the most interesting casting decisions was Michael Benz playing Paulina as well as the Young Shepherd. ... Year of Shakespeare ...
  20. [20]
    Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead - Variety
    Jun 5, 2011 · Opened May 31, 2011; reviewed June 2. Running time: 2 HOURS, 45 MIN ... Michael Benz, Tomm Coles, Trevor Allan Davies, Zac Fox, Fiona ...
  21. [21]
    Michael Benz - Curtis Brown
    Actors Jessica Jackson & Frances Stevenson +44 (0)20 7393 4343. Email Jessica ... Theatre. The Winter's Tale. Paulina. Director John Dove. Shakespeare's Globe.Missing: RADA | Show results with:RADA
  22. [22]
  23. [23]
    Michael Benz (Actor): Credits, Bio, News & More | Broadway World
    TV and film: "Downton Abbey" (ITV/PBS), "Time After Time"(ABC), Oliver Stone's Snowden and The Wife. He is a graduate of RADA. Get Michael Benz Email Alerts. Be ...Missing: training versatility
  24. [24]
    Michael Benz: Keep It Simple - Broadway Style Guide
    Benz usually is cast as nice guys in Shakespeare plays like Sebastian in Twelfth Night or Ferdinand in The Tempest, and he's excited to be expanding his ...Missing: childhood | Show results with:childhood
  25. [25]
  26. [26]
  27. [27]
    Michael Benz - TV Guide
    Actor ; Up Here as Kevin. Up Here ; For All Mankind as Gary Piscotty. For All Mankind ; Greyhound as Carling. Greyhound ; Joker as Wall Street Three. Joker ; The ...Missing: screen roles film