Ben McKenzieActor Evolution · YouTube
Ben McKenzie
International breakthrough with The O.C. (2003-2007) as Ryan Atwood, one of the most recognized youth characters in television fiction of its era. Consolidation with Gotham (2014-2019) as Commissioner James Gordon, one of his most acclaimed roles. Starred in Southland (2009-2013) and voiced young Bruce Wayne in DC animation productions. American actor identified with genre television fiction, combining youth drama with police and superhero fiction, consolidated as one of the recognized performers in contemporary genre television.
Ben McKenzie
13 Movies
11 Series
International breakthrough with The O.C. (2003-2007) as Ryan Atwood, one of the most recognized youth characters in television fiction of its era. Consolidation with Gotham (2014-2019) as Commissioner James Gordon, one of his most acclaimed roles. Starred in Southland (2009-2013) and voiced young Bruce Wayne in DC animation productions. American actor identified with genre television fiction, combining youth drama with police and superhero fiction, consolidated as one of the recognized performers in contemporary genre television.
Movies
Plays Detective Kent
Motor City
2026
Plays Brian
Some Kind of Beautiful
2014
Plays Mike Stempt
88 Minutes
2007
Plays Johnny
Junebug
2005
Plays Dean Keller
Line of Duty
2019
Plays Leighton's Dad
I Want You Back
2022
Plays Batman / Bruce Wayne (voice)
Batman: Year One
2011
Plays Scrubbed CIA Officer
The Report
2019
Plays Nick
Goodbye World
2013
Plays Tom
Decoding Annie Parker
2014
Producer
Plays Jack Reynolds
Bloat
2025
Plays Michael
Adventures in the Sin Bin
2012
Plays Joe Bonham
Johnny Got His Gun
2008
TV Shows
Director
Plays James 'Jim' Gordon
Gotham
2014
Plays Ryan Atwood
The O.C.
2003
Plays Ben Sherman
Southland
2009
Plays James Gordon
Gotham Stories
2016
Plays Cast
The Accidental Wolf
2020
Plays Tim Ruskin
The District
2000
Plays Ryan Atwood
MADtv
1995
Plays Petty Officer Spencer
JAG
1995
Plays Odnarb (voice)
Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated
2010
Plays Bryan
Men at Work
2012
Plays Sheriff Tim Wade
Sheriff Country
2025
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Motor City
Full Filmography
Motor City
Detective Kent
2026
Film
Sheriff Country
Sheriff Tim Wade · 1 episode
2025–
TV
Bloat
Jack Reynolds
2025
Film
I Want You Back
Leighton's Dad
2022
Film
The Accidental Wolf
Cast · 4 episodes
2020–
TV
Line of Duty
Dean Keller
2019
Film
The Report
Scrubbed CIA Officer
2019
Film
Gotham Stories
James Gordon · 5 episodes
2016–
TV
Some Kind of Beautiful
Brian
2014
Film
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Ben McKenzie and where are they from?
Ben McKenzie is 48 years old, born on September 12, 1978 in Austin, Texas, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Ben McKenzie?
Ben McKenzie is best known for roles in 88 Minutes, The Report, Batman: Year One.
How many movies has Ben McKenzie been in?
Over a 21-year career (since 2005), Ben McKenzie has appeared in 13 movies and 11 TV shows.
What was Ben McKenzie's first movie?
The career of Ben McKenzie began with Junebug (2005).
What is Ben McKenzie's most recent movie or series?
Ben McKenzie's most recent release is Motor City, which premiered on July 23, 2026.
What TV shows has Ben McKenzie appeared in?
On television, Ben McKenzie has appeared in Gotham, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, The O.C., The Daily Show.
Ben McKenzie
1978-09-12 · Austin, Texas, USA
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.