Celebrity Info
Brian Benben’s journey into acting followed a path that many performers know all too well. Growing up far from the glitz and glamour of Hollywood—in Virginia, to be exact—Brian Benben eventually set his sights on bigger opportunities. Like so many aspiring actors, he made the move to New York City in his late teens, balancing odd jobs just to get by while chasing auditions and trying to break into the industry. It wasn’t long before Brian Benben started landing roles that would put him on the map. His first major break came with the NBC television mini-series The Gangster Chronicles in 1981, where Brian Benben portrayed Michael Lasker, one of the central gangsters in the story. He revisited the character later that same year in the follow-up film Gangster Wars, which expanded on the series’ narrative.
Though momentum was building, not every project took off. Brian Benben had a brief stint on the short-lived CBS medical drama Kay O’Brien in 1986—a show that unfortunately never aired all 13 of its episodes before getting cancelled. The rest of the 1980s saw Brian Benben popping up in guest spots and minor roles, steadily working without a breakout moment. That changed in 1990 when he landed the lead role of Martin Tupper in HBO’s critically acclaimed comedy-drama Dream On, which ran successfully until 1996. The show became a cultural touchstone, and Brian Benben was finally recognized as a leading man.
After Dream On wrapped, Brian Benben tried his hand at a self-titled sitcom, The Brian Benben Show, which premiered on CBS in 1998. Unfortunately, it didn’t resonate with audiences and was pulled after only five of nine produced episodes aired. Still, Brian Benben kept working through the 2000s, appearing in TV movies and short-run series. Then, thanks to Shonda Rhimes, Brian Benben found himself back in the spotlight. From 2007 to 2013, he played Dr. Sheldon Wallace across five seasons of Private Practice on ABC, earning renewed attention for his performance. His connection with Rhimes continued when he made a guest appearance on her hit political thriller Scandal, which aired between 2012 and 2018.
In 2017, Brian Benben stepped into another significant role, this time as Max on the darkly comedic series Imposters, which debuted on Bravo and ran for multiple seasons. Once again, Brian Benben proved his versatility and staying power in an ever-changing industry. Through ups and downs, Brian Benben has remained a steady presence on screen, continually adapting and delivering memorable performances.
When it comes to Brian Benben’s filmography, one standout performance definitely shines through — his highest rated movie is Clean and Sober from 1988. That role really showcased Brian Benben’s range as an actor and earned him a lot of critical praise. On the other end of the spectrum, Brian Benben appeared in Radioland Murders back in 1994, which turned out to be his lowest rated film. While Brian Benben brought his usual charm to the project, the movie itself didn’t resonate as well with audiences or critics. Still, looking at Brian Benben’s career overall, it’s clear he’s had some notable highs, especially with performances like the one in Clean and Sober.
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