Bio
Ben McKenzie is an American actor best known for his role as Ryan Atwood on the television series The O.C., from 2003-2007.
McKenzie was born and raised in Texas. Following his graduation from the University of Virginia, where he was a foreign affairs and economics major, he moved to New York to pursue acting.
While in New York McKenzie appeared off-Broadway in Life is a Dream at the Soho Rep. Additionally, he performed in numerous productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, including Street Scene and The Blue Bird, and also at the University of Virginia in Measure for Measure and Zoo Story.
He later moved to Los Angeles where he landed the lead role on The O.C.
He starred in the critically acclaimed independent ensemble drama Junebug, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival; and opposite Al Pacino in the thriller 88 Minutes, and received praise for his solo turn in the independent film Johnny Got His Gun, based on a novel by Dalton Trumbo.
From 2009-2012 he had a leading role as Officer Ben Sherman in the television drama series Southland.