Cast & creator
Ben McKenzie
Best known for Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Late Night with Seth Meyers
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.
Also known as: Benjamin McKenzie, Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan
22
film credits
33
television credits
49
1981–2026 · acting roles
6.1
average across scored titles
Signature credits
Known for
Across film & television
Filmography (55)
Showing 55 of 55 credits
Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen
Self - Guest
2009
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
Self - Guest
2015
Late Night with Seth Meyers
Self - Guest
2014
The Daily Show
Self - Guest
1996
Late Show with David Letterman
Self - Guest
1993
Conan
Self - Guest
2010
The View
Self
1997
The Late Late Show with James Corden
Self - Guest
2015
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson
Self - Guest
2005
Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Self - Guest
2003
JAG
Petty Officer Spencer
1995
Real Time with Bill Maher
Self
2003
LIVE with Kelly and Mark
Self
1988
Late Night with Conan O'Brien
Self - Guest
1993
The Ellen DeGeneres Show
Self
2003
Gotham
James 'Jim' Gordon
2014Gotham
Director
2014Gotham
Writer
2014
The O.C.
Ryan Atwood
2003Good Day Live
Self
2001
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
Odnarb (voice)
2010
The District
Tim Ruskin
2000
Punk'd
Self
2003The Reichen Show
Self
2005
Firing Line with Margaret Hoover
Self - Guest
2018
Southland
Ben Sherman
2009
Motor City
Detective Kent
2026
Sheriff Country
Sheriff Wade
2025
Entertainment Tonight
Self
1981
Men at Work
Bryan
2012
88 Minutes
Mike Stempt
2007
Line of Duty
Dean Keller
2019
I Want You Back
Leighton's Dad
2022
Batman: Year One
Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
2011
The Report
Scrubbed CIA Officer
2019
Some Kind of Beautiful
Brian
2014
The Accidental Wolf
Cast
2020
MADtv
Ryan Atwood
1995
Gotham Stories
James Gordon
2016
Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Self
2026Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Director
2026Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Producer
2026Everyone Is Lying to You for Money
Writer
2026
Junebug
Johnny
2005
Abby
2003
Decoding Annie Parker
Tom
2014
Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs
Self
2017
Desperate Souls
2005
Goodbye World
Nick
2013
Bloat
Jack Reynolds
2025Bloat
Producer
2025
Johnny Got His Gun
Joe Bonham
2008
Adventures in the Sin Bin
Michael
2012Gotham: The Legend Reborn
Self
2014
The Advocates
Henry Bird
2013