Benjamin Schiff "Ben" Platt is an American actor and singer known for his role as Benji Applebaum in the musical films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2. He performed on Broadway in The Book of Mormon.
Early life
Platt was born in Los Angeles, California, the fourth of five children of Julie (née Beren) and Marc E. Platt. His father is a film, television and theater producer whose credits include Wicked. His family is Jewish. At age 11, Platt took part in a brief national tour with Caroline, or Change (originally by Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner). Platt studied at Los Angeles' private Harvard-Westlake School, graduating in 2011.
Career
Platt landed a supporting role in the film Pitch Perfect as Star Wars-obsessed Benji Applebaum. He was nominated at the Teen Choice Awards for the category "Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer" for his role in the film.
Next, Platt got a major role as Elder Cunningham in the musical The Book of Mormon at the Bank of America Theatre in Chicago, Illinois alongside Nic Rouleau. His role had been played by Josh Gad in the original Broadway cast. On October 21, 2013, it was announced that Platt would be reprising his role as Elder Cunningham in the Broadway production of Book of Mormon beginning in January 2014.
He has also collaborated on a workshop of Alice by Heart, by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater as a new take on Alice in Wonderland. Other roles include the role of Claude in Columbia Musical Theatre Society's production of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.
Platt was accepted to Columbia University in New York, but put his university education temporarily on hold pending the end of his contract for Book of Mormon. He later began attending the school and became a member of the campus Nonsequitur A Cappella group.
Platt is performing the title role in the new musical Dear Evan Hansen, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The musical runs at the Arena Stage (Washington, D.C.) from July 10 to August 23, 2015, transferred to New York's Second Stage Theater in 2016 and in Music Box Theatre in 2017. He has won a Tony for Best leading actor.
Filmography
Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Pitch Perfect | Benji Applebaum | |
| 2015 | Pitch Perfect 2 | Benji Applebaum | |
| 2015 | Ricki and the Flash | Daniel | |
| 2016 | Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk | Josh |
External links and References
- Wikipedia: Ben Platt