The O.C.

Benjamin McKenzie became a well-known actor as cast member on the teen drama The O.C. Playing Ryan Atwood, he became a notorious icon as the troubled teenager from Chino thrust into the privileged community of New Port Beach. In his four-year stint on the show, he earned four nominations for Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV Actor: Drama, Choice TV Chemistry (shared with costar Mischa Barton), Choice Breakout TV Star – Male, and Choice TV Actor - Drama/Action Adventure.

Following The O.C., McKenzie became preoccupied as a volunteer actor with the Young Storytellers Program, a program dedicated to developing literacy, self-expression and self-esteem in elementary school children. Although he made fewer appearances on screen, he became visible at many events like The Bravo Supershow 2007, where he won the golden OTTO for male TV star and the unveiling of Robert Wilson’s “Voom Portraits” at the Ace Gallery.

After taking on a teen heartthrob role, McKenzie is now more focused on landing more mature and challenging projects. His latest movie, which will be released this year in the United States, is entitled “88 Minutes,” a drama-thriller about a college professor (Al Pacino) who receives death threats while working as a forensic scientist for the FBI. McKenzie plays Mike Stemp, a criminology grad student who becomes a suspect.

-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist

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