Ben Schwartz
Schwartz in 2019
Born
Benjamin Joseph Schwartz

(1981-09-15) September 15, 1981 (age 42)
New York City, U.S.
EducationUnion College (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • comedian
Years active2006–present
Websitewww.rejectedjokes.com

Benjamin Joseph Schwartz (born September 15, 1981) is an American actor and comedian. He has guest starred as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation and Clyde Oberholt on the Showtime series House of Lies; voiced Randy Cunningham in Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja, Dewey Duck in DuckTales, and Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles; and appeared many times in the CollegeHumor web series Jake and Amir.

Schwartz voices Sonic the Hedgehog in the 2020 film of same name, and its sequels Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). His film career also includes roles in Peep World;[1] Everybody's Fine; The Other Guys; The Walk; This Is Where I Leave You; Standing Up, Falling Down; and Flora & Ulysses. On television, he has starred in the Netflix comedy series Space Force (2020–2022) and the Apple TV+ murder mystery comedy series The Afterparty (2022–2023). He also voiced in the Netflix interactive special We Lost Our Human as Pud.[2]

Early life

Benjamin Joseph Schwartz[3] was born on September 15, 1981[4] in The Bronx, New York City, to a Jewish family.[3][5] His parents, both Bronx natives,[6] raised Schwartz in Riverdale, a neighborhood in the northwestern part of the Bronx. His father was a social worker before going into real estate[7] and his mother was a music teacher at P.S. 24, an elementary school in Riverdale.[8] He also has a sister named Marni.[9] In an interview with Kevin Pollak, he stated, "When I told people I was from the Bronx, it was like 'Oh, do you have bullet wounds?' And I'm like 'No, it's just me and, like, Jewish people.'"[7]

When he was eleven years old, his family moved to Edgemont, New York, in adjacent Westchester County.[7] Schwartz attended Edgemont Junior–Senior High School where he played basketball and sang in the chorus; he graduated in 1999.[10] He then attended Union College, graduating in 2003 with a double major in psychology and anthropology.[11]

Career

Schwartz in 2014

On television, Schwartz guest-starred as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC's Parks and Recreation[12] and was a lead in the Showtime show House of Lies.[13] In 2010, Schwartz played series regular Bill Hoyt on J. J. Abrams' one-hour spy drama Undercovers for NBC.

Schwartz had his own segment on HBO's Funny or Die Presents called Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz and has appeared in multiple CollegeHumor[14] sketches including the popular web series Jake and Amir.

Schwartz has been nominated for four Emmys and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for coauthoring Hugh Jackman's opening number for the 81st Academy Awards.[15]

Schwartz voiced Randy Cunningham, a 14-year-old freshman student and ninja protecting his hometown Norrisville from forces of evil in Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja.

In September 2013, he was hired by Paramount Pictures to re-make the 1991 comedy Soapdish,[16] retitled El Fuego Caliente and reworking the original's American soap opera into a Latin telenovela,[17] with producers Rob Reiner and Alan Greisman and he sold an original pitch to Universal Studios based on an idea by Brian Grazer with Imagine Entertainment attached to produce. He was a staff writer for the third season of Adult Swim's Robot Chicken and served as a freelance writer for the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live as well as the monologues for the Late Show with David Letterman.[12]

Schwartz is an alumnus of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCBT).[12] He was a member of the improv group "Hot Sauce" with Adam Pally and Gil Ozeri. The group performed their long-form improv show "Something Fresh" at UCBT every month.

He and Bill Hader served as vocal consultants for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[18] Schwartz also played a cameo role as a Stormtrooper in the film.[19]

Since 2014 Schwartz has appeared in episodes of the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast as the only guest in "Solo Bolo" (2014), "Solo Bolo Dos Lo" (2015), "Solo Bolo Trolo" (2016), "Solo Bolo Cuatrolo" (2016), "Solo Bolo Cincolo" (2017), "Solo Bolo Sonicolo" (2020), and "Solo Bolo Hallowolo" (2021). In nearly each episode he and host Scott Aukerman compete in the Olympic Song Challenge. Ben has also appeared on episodes of comedy podcasts If I Were You, ID1OT, You Made It Weird with Pete Holmes, and Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend.

In 2017, Schwartz began voicing Dewey Duck in the Disney XD revival of DuckTales.[20] Schwartz has been featured as himself in Netflix's Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh's 2017 animated Christmas special - Home for the Holidays - alongside Kelly Clarkson.[21] He provided the voice of Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[22] In August 2018, Schwartz was announced to voice the titular character in the 2020 film Sonic the Hedgehog.[23]

On September 26, 2019, it was announced that Schwartz was cast as F. Tony Scarapiducci in the Netflix comedy series Space Force.[24]

Ben Schwartz co-starred alongside Billy Crystal in the movie Standing Up, Falling Down, initially released on April 25, 2019.

In April 2020, Schwartz and fellow comedian Thomas Middleditch starred in Netflix's first long-form improv special, Middleditch and Schwartz, a three-part series of hour-long performances filmed at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.[25]

In 2022, Schwartz was in the main cast of the first season of the Apple TV+ mystery comedy series The Afterparty, reprising his role in a guest capacity in the series' 2023 second season.

In January 2023, Schwartz guest voiced a character, TAY-0, a droid who participates in races for Cid, on Star Wars: The Bad Batch.[26]

Books

Schwartz has co-written four books, three with writer Amanda McCall: Grandma's Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals; Maybe Your Leg Will Grow Back!: Looking on the Bright Side with Baby Animals and Why is Daddy in a Dress?: Asking Awkward Questions with Baby Animals and (with writer Laura Moses), Things You Should Already Know About Dating, You F-king Idiot.[27]

Filmography

Key
† Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2007 New York City Serenade Russ
2009 Mystery Team Dougie's Buddy
I Hate Valentine's Day Tammy's Date
Everybody's Fine Writer
2010 The Other Guys Beaman's Assistant
Peep World Nathan Meyerwitz
2013 Turbo Skidmark Voice
Coffee Town Gino
Runner Runner Craig
2014 Happy Christmas Party Guest
Better Living Through Chemistry Noah
Transformers: Age of Extinction Bumblebee Radio Voice[28]
I'm A Mitzvah David Short film
This Is Where I Leave You Rabbi Charles "Boner" Grodner
The Interview Eminem's Publicist
2015 The Walk Albert
Star Wars: The Force Awakens BB-8 / Stormtrooper[19] Voice consultant[18]
2016 The Intervention Jack
2017 How to Be a Latin Lover Jimmy / Valet
Outside In Ted
2018 Happy Anniversary Sam
Blue Iguana Paul Driggs
An Actor Prepares Jimmy
Monster Challenge Himself Short film[29]
Night School Marvin
2019 The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part Banarnar Voice
Standing Up, Falling Down Scott
2020 Sonic the Hedgehog Sonic the Hedgehog Voice and facial motion-capture
2021 Music Rudy
Flora & Ulysses George Buckman
Rumble Jimothy Brett-Chadley III Voice
2022 Sonic the Hedgehog 2 Sonic the Hedgehog Voice and facial motion-capture
Sonic Drone Home Voice; short film
DC League of Super-Pets Mark Voice
Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie Leo, Janitor Man
2023 We Lost Our Human Pud Voice; interactive special[2]
Renfield Teddy Lobo
2024 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 † Sonic the Hedgehog Voice; Post-Production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Late Night with Conan O'Brien Various 1 episode
2007 Starveillance Glenn Voice; 3 episodes
2007–2008 Bronx World Travelers Ben 5 episodes; also producer and director
2008–2009 Mayne Street Evan Mintz 10 episodes
2009 Intercourse With A Vampire Waiter 1 episode
Accidentally on Purpose Max Episode: "Working Girl"
Happiness Isn't Everything Jacky Hamburger Television film
2010 The Sarah Silverman Program Writer Episode: "A Slip Slope"
2010–2012 Undercovers Bill Hoyt 13 episodes
2010–2015
2020		 Parks and Recreation Jean-Ralphio Saperstein 22 episodes
2011 Funny or Die Presents Ben Segment: "Terrible Decisions"; also producer
Mad Narrator / Announcer / Jim Halpert Voice; episode: "Ribbitless / The Clawfice"
2012 Tron: Uprising Rilo Voice; episode: "The Renegade: Part 1"
2012–2016 House of Lies Clyde Oberholt 58 episodes
2012–2015 Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja Randy Cunningham/Ninja Voice; 50 episodes
2013 The Doc Files Stuffy Voice; spin-off series to Doc McStuffins
Arrested Development John Beard Jr. Episode: "Colony Collapse"
2013–2020 Bob's Burgers Josh / Rick Voice; 4 episodes
Robot Chicken Roger Radcliffe / Scaredy Smurf / Dickwax / Oog / Zeeko Voice; 3 episodes
2013–2016 Comedy Bang! Bang! Rodney Wayber 4 episodes
2014 Wallykazam! Skydasher Steve Episode: "The Big Goblin Problem"
2015–2019 BoJack Horseman Rutabaga Rabitowitz Voice; 8 episodes
2015 The Simpsons Clerk Voice; episode: "Cue Detective"
Drunk History Meyer Lansky Episode: "Las Vegas"
2016–2017 Animals. Antonio / Geoff 2 episodes
2017 The New V.I.P.'s Lenny Cancelled pilot[30][31]
2017 Hot Date Rich Boyfriend Episode: "Gold Diggers"
2017 Home: For The Holidays Himself Television film
2017–2021 DuckTales Dewey Duck Main voice cast[20]
2018 The Wrong Mans Sam Cancelled[32][33]
2018 Medal of Honor Vito Bertoldo 1 episode
2018, 2019 Modern Family Nick 3 episodes
2018–2020 Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Leo Main voice cast[34]
2019 Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on Television Himself Episode: "Execution Dependant"
Pinky Malinky Coach Freebird Voice; episode: "Advanced"
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ Quistian Gayle 2 episodes
Human Discoveries Leader Elk Voice; episode: "And Then They Discovered the Wheel"
2020 Middleditch and Schwartz Various Main cast, also creator
2020–2021 American Dad! Various Voice; 3 episodes
Crossing Swords Keefer Voice; 2 episodes
2020–2022 Space Force F. Tony Scarapiducci Main cast
2021 Earth to Ned Himself Episode: "Party Like It's Nineteen Ninety Ned"
Calls Andy Voice; episode: "The Beginning"
Bless the Harts Bryce Voice; episode: "Haul Force One"
M.O.D.O.K. Lou Tarleton Main voice role
HouseBroken Various Voice; 4 episodes
Rugrats Lord Crater Voice; episode: "Final Eclipse"[35]
2021–2022 Staged Tom / Ben Schwartz / Bob Marley[36] 5 episodes
Fairfax Cody Voice; 5 episodes
2022–2023 The Afterparty Yasper E. Lennov Main cast (season 1); guest role (season 2)
2022 The Boys Presents: Diabolical Simon / Kingdom's Dad Voice; 2 episodes
Central Park Various Voice; 2 episodes
2023 Star Wars: The Bad Batch TAY-0 Voice; episode: "Faster"
Die Hart Andre 7 episodes
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
The Muppets Mayhem Gus D'Vore Episode: "Track 3: Exile on Main Street"
2023-Present Invincible Shapesmith / Rus Livingston Voice; season 2[37]
2024 Knuckles Sonic the Hedgehog Voice, post-production

Web series

Year Title Role Notes
2007–14 CollegeHumor Originals Hegie / Himself / Gino 13 episodes: "High Times Editorial Office: Episode 1", "High Times Editorial Office: Episode 2", "High Times Editorial Office: Episode 3", "High Times Editorial Office: Episode 4", "High Times Editorial Office: Episode 5",

"How Many Times Has This Happened To You?", "Porn Rental",[38] "Stay Awake Contest", "Drinking Soda Contest", "Eating Contest", "Fasting Contest", "Ham Sandwich Lie Detector Test",[39] "Should We Make Another Contest Video?"

2008–10 Hardly Working Himself 5 episodes: "All-nighter: Handicap Suicide",[40] "Hypnotist",[41] "All Nighter III: New Boss", "Josh's Mindhouse: Autograph", "Fish Dance"
2009–11 Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz Also producer
2009–15 Jake and Amir Dating Coach (Amir Blumenfeld) / Couples Therapist / Private Eye (Jope) / Office Painter / H.R. Guy (Skolbilassus Jim) / Mountain Hiker (Stanley) / Interrogator (Carrot Slat) / Milk Man (Charles Crooshtoost) / Usher (Sulu Candles) / Real Estate Agent (Cherry Dude) / Himself 23 episodes
2012 Dorkly Originals Hermit 1 episode: "Legend of Zelda Hermit Wants to Haggle (with Ben Schwartz)"[42]

Voice

2012, 2017 Kevin Pollak's Chat Show Himself / Guest 2 episodes: "143", "291"
2016 The Earliest Show Josh Bath 6 episodes; also writer and director[43]
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
2018 Lonely and Horny Bernand 1 episode: "Game Night"[44]
2018, 2020 Good Mythical Morning Himself 2 episodes: "Crazy Free Stuff On Craigslist (GAME) ft. Ben Schwartz",[45] "Who Is the Fastest? (SPEED CHALLENGE)"[46]
2019–2023 Guest Grumps 4 episodes: "Playing Magic Kingdom w/ Ben Schwartz!"[47], "Playing Games with Epic Gamer BEN SCHWARTZ - Guest Grumps - Aladdin",[48] "Playing Quiplash with Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz!"[49], Episode: "Ben Schwartz OBLITERATES Super Castlevania IV"[50]
2020–2023 The George Lucas Talk Show 6 episodes

Video games

Year Title Voice role
2013 Turbo: Super Stunt Squad Skidmark

References

  1. ^ Fernandez, Jay (February 25, 2011). "TRAILER: Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman in 'Peep World'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 29, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  2. ^ a b "Watch We Lost Our Human | Netflix Official Site". www.netflix.com. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Ben Schwartz". TV Guide. Archived from the original on February 16, 2022. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  4. ^ "UPI Almanac for Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018". United Press International. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019. comedian/
  5. ^ Burack, Emily (March 25, 2020). "18 Things to Know About Ben Schwartz". Hey Alma. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  6. ^ Ben Schwartz Raps Along to Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight" in Sonic the Hedgehog's Voice (Video). February 7, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021.
  7. ^ a b c Pollak, Kevin. "Kevin Pollak Chat Show: Ben Schwartz #143". Kevin Pollak Chat Show. YouTube. 10:30. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  8. ^ Marsh, Steve (January 12, 2012). "Ben Schwartz '03". Vulture. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  9. ^ Schwartz, Ben (April 10, 2016). "Happy #nationalsiblingday to my real life sister Marni!". Instagram.
  10. ^ Litt, Hannah (March 2015). "White Oak to Hollywood: An Interview With Ben Schwartz '99" (PDF). Edgemont School Foundation Newsletter. 3.
  11. ^ "Notable Alumni in Entertainment" (PDF). Union College. July 2012. p. 2. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c "Ben Schwartz". Upright Citizens Brigade. Archived from the original on February 26, 2011. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  13. ^ Bacle, Ariana (June 12, 2016). "Ben Schwartz says goodbye to House of Lies in sweet letter". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  14. ^ ""Ben Schwartz" Stuff on CollegeHumor". CollegeHumor. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
  15. ^ "Primetime Emmy® Award Database". Primetime Emmy Award Database. Emmy.org. Retrieved August 13, 2011.
  16. ^ Kit, Borys (February 23, 2011). "Ben Schwartz to Pen 'Soapdish' Remake for Paramount". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 26, 2011.
  17. ^ Finke, Nikki (December 12, 2011). "The Black List 2011: Screenplay Roster". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  18. ^ a b DiClaudio, Dennis (December 16, 2015). "Turns out Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz did the voice of BB-8 in The Force Awakens". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  19. ^ a b @rejectedjokes (May 4, 2018). "On this beautiful #MayThe4thBeWithYou I feel like I can finally reveal that I played a Storm Trooper in @starwars The Force Awakens. It was an incredible honor and years later, I'm still smiling from the experience but please do not tell BB8" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  20. ^ a b Petski, Denise (December 16, 2016). "'DuckTales': David Tennant, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz Among Voice Cast For Disney XD Reboot". Deadline. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  21. ^ Boone, John (November 17, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Gets Animated in 'DreamWorks Home For the Holidays' Christmas Special (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  22. ^ Snierson, Dan (November 2, 2017). "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast features Ben Schwartz and Kat Graham". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  23. ^ Couch, Aaron (August 8, 2018). "Ben Schwartz to Lead Paramount's 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  24. ^ Porter, Rick (September 26, 2019). "John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz Join Steve Carell in Netflix's 'Space Force'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  25. ^ Chuba, Kirsten (April 21, 2020). "Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz on Convincing Netflix to Buy its First Improv Special". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  26. ^ "TAY-0 Voice". Behind the Voice Actors. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  27. ^ Bacle, Ariana. "Ben Schwartz, Laura Moses announce new book". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  28. ^ "Ben Schwartz OBLITERATES Super Castlevania IV". YouTube. May 4, 2023. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  29. ^ "Monster Challenge Archives » Michael Giacchino". Michael Giacchino. May 12, 2020. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  30. ^ "Watch The New V.I.P.'s (4K UHD) | Prime Video". Amazon (company). March 16, 2017. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  31. ^ Schmidt, Patrick (March 22, 2017). "Amazon Pilot Season: Will The New V.I.P.'s get picked up?". Amazon Adviser. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Carr, Flora (April 17, 2018). "James Corden to adapt BBC's The Wrong Mans for USA | Radio Times". Radio Times. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  33. ^ White, Peter (August 2, 2019). "'The Wrong Mans': Pilot Not Going Forward At Showtime – Deadline". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  34. ^ @rejectedjokes (August 9, 2020). "And when they ask "How bad ass was the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series?" The reply will be "Ridicously bad ass." It was an absolute honor to play Leo in this series amongst a legendary cast & crew. Gonna miss this show. Thank you to the fans. See ya at the movies" (Tweet). Retrieved August 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  35. ^ "Henry Winkler, Ben Schwartz to Guest Star on Paramount Plus' 'Rugrats': First Look (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. October 4, 2021. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  36. ^ "David Tennant and Michael Sheen on the Real David Frost | Staged 2 (2020) - YouTube". www.youtube.com. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
  37. ^ "Invincible Season 2: Release Date, Trailer, Cast & More". Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  38. ^ "Porn Rental with Michael C Hall (Dexter) and Ben Schwartz (Parks and Rec)". Youtube. June 29, 2011. Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2023.
  39. ^ "Ham Sandwich Lie Detector Test (With Steve Little and Ben Schwartz) - YouTube". YouTube. Archived from the original on July 4, 2013.
  40. ^ "CollegeHumor All Nighter". Archived from the original on October 31, 2011.
  41. ^ "Hardly Working: Hypnotist - CollegeHumor Video". Archived from the original on November 14, 2013.
  42. ^ "Legend of Zelda Hermit Wants to Haggle (with Ben Schwartz) - YouTube". Youtube. September 28, 2012. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  43. ^ "The Earliest Show". Funny Or Die. October 28, 2016. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
  44. ^ "Lonely and Horny: Ben Schwartz | Sign up for DROPOUT for more Lonely and Horny -> bit.ly/2Qzy4W2 A good therapist never reveals his secrets. | By CollegeHumor | Facebook". Facebook. December 4, 2018. Retrieved September 9, 2023.
  45. ^ "Crazy Free Stuff On Craigslist (GAME) ft. Ben Schwartz". Good Mythical Morning. September 3, 2018. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  46. ^ "Who Is the Fastest? (SPEED CHALLENGE)". Good Mythical Morning. February 20, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved February 20, 2020.
  47. ^ "Playing Magic Kingdom w/ Ben Schwartz!". Game Grumps. June 7, 2019. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2019.
  48. ^ "Playing Games with Epic Gamer BEN SCHWARTZ - Guest Grumps - Aladdin". Game Grumps. January 25, 2020. Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  49. ^ Playing Quiplash with Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz!, archived from the original on November 18, 2021, retrieved June 15, 2020
  50. ^ "Ben Schwartz OBLITERATES Super Castlevania IV". Game Grumps. May 4, 2023. Retrieved May 4, 2023.

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