Benji Schwimmer
Portrait photograph of a man wearing a blue sweater, seated sideways with respect to the viewer
Born
Benjamin Daniel Schwimmer

(1984-01-18) January 18, 1984 (age 40)
Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation(s)Dancer, choreographer, actor
Years active2006–present
TelevisionSo You Think You Can Dance
ParentBuddy Schwimmer (father)
RelativesLacey Schwimmer (sister)
Heidi Groskreutz (cousin)
WebsiteBenji Schwimmer official website

Benjiman Daniel Schwimmer (born January 18, 1984)[1] is an American professional dancer, choreographer, actor and director. He was the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance (2006) and has choreographed for both the U.S. and the international versions of the show. He is the only dancer in the world to hold World titles in solo, partner and group divisions at the same time. Schwimmer works on TV, film and stage both in front and behind camera. He was the specialties choreographer for Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood".

Early life

Schwimmer was born on January 18, 1984, in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) household in Moreno Valley, California. He is the son of choreographer and West Coast Swing dancer Buddy Schwimmer.[2] His mother, Laurie Schwimmer, and sister, Lacey Schwimmer, are also renowned partner and solo dancers.[3]

He began acting at two, landing nationwide commercials for McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Power Wheels and guest stint on Full House.

He started competing at five years old. He finished his studies early,[clarification needed] and then taught dance at 17 years for one semester at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa.[4]

Schwimmer and his cousin, Heidi Groskreutz (Top 4 finalist on the same season of So You Think You Can Dance), are also U.S. Open and World Showcase Swing champions.[5] Schwimmer put dancing on hold to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.[6] He returned afterwards to the dance circuit. He founded D.E.M.A.N.D., a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate and provides health care for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses,[7] and was a co-owner of 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands since 2011.[8]

Career

After his two year mission and stint on So You Think You Can Dance tours, Schwimmer reclaimed his titles as both US and World Swing Champion with a new partner, Kellese Key in 2008.[9] He has never lost a routine competition.

Schwimmer also appeared in the independent film, Love N' Dancing, starring Amy Smart.[10] He was the cover story in a 10-page spread in "Dancer Magazine", January 9 issue, which featured his own photography.[11] Schwimmer also costarred in the comedy "Leading Ladies".[12]

Paula Abdul hired Schwimmer as her creative director and choreographer for her final performance on American Idol and for her opening show for VH1's Divas:Live '09. He also danced alongside her in both performances.

Working with his father, he choreographed[13] the short program of American figure skater Jeremy Abbott, which was first performed at the 2011 Cup of China. Benji has since choreographed for two different Winter Olympics, including Adam Rippon's "O" .

In 2018, Schwimmer announced his retirement[14] from competing at The Open Swing Dance Champions, being the only dancer to win 14 World Titles with four different partners, never taking a loss.

Schwimmer is currently developing TV and film projects for 2022.

Personal life

Schwimmer is gay. He came out publicly in 2012, after completing his choice of reparative therapy, struggling with his sexuality for a number of years. The catalyst for his decision was the death by suicide of two gay friends.[15][16][17] He has since left the LDS Church[18] and publicly criticized their policies against members of the LGBT community.[18]

Awards

This section of a biography of a living person needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately from the article and its talk page, especially if potentially libelous.Find sources: "Benji Schwimmer" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (November 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

See also

References

  1. ^ "Benji Schwimmer". So You Think You Can Dance. Archived from the original on July 5, 2006. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  2. ^ "Dance". Access Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 7, 2006.
  3. ^ "DanceDose - Benji Schwimmer". StarQuest. January 18, 2019. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  4. ^ "Redlands dancer swings and becomes a star - San Bernardino County Sun". Sbsun.com. Archived from the original on March 13, 2007. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  5. ^ "2005 Results". US Open Swing Dance Championships. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  6. ^ Hollingshead, Natalie (September 27, 2006). "LDS Week Benji dance (life main)". Daily Herald. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  7. ^ Faber, Judy (August 17, 2006). "Schwimmer a Winner on 'Dance'". CBS News. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  8. ^ "Buddy Schwimmer Dance holds Grand Opening". Redlands Daily Facts. March 29, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2021.
  9. ^ "2008 Results". The Open Swing Dance Championships. Archived from the original on September 7, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  10. ^ "Love 'N Dancing Full Cast & Crew". imdb.com. Retrieved February 11, 2015.
  11. ^ "Benji Meets World". Dancer Magazine Issue. January 11, 2009. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  12. ^ "Leading Ladies :: Official Movie Site". Leadingladiesmovie.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  13. ^ "icenetwork.com: News". Web.icenetwork.com. Archived from the original on September 26, 2011. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  14. ^ Eric B. Jacobson, Benji Schwimmer's Retirement at The Open 2018, archived from the original on December 21, 2021, retrieved December 26, 2018
  15. ^ Shana Naomi Krochmal (June 18, 2012). "Benji Schwimmer's Naked Truth". Out Magazine. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  16. ^ Lyndsey Parker (June 4, 2012). "'SYTYCD' Champ Benji Schwimmer Comes Out as Gay in Fascinating Interview". Reality Rocks (New) - Yahoo! Music. Retrieved July 23, 2012.
  17. ^ "Mormon Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer". Mormon Stories Podcast. May 30, 2012. Retrieved July 22, 2012.
  18. ^ a b "1000-1001: Benji Schwimmer – Life After Mormonism". Mormon Stories. October 19, 2018. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  19. ^ "2001 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships". Streetswing.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  20. ^ "2002 "Person of the Year"". USA Sing Dance Network. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  21. ^ "US Open awards". Usopenswingdc.com. Archived from the original on May 11, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  22. ^ "2002 list of US Open Swing Dance winners". Usopenswingdc.com. Archived from the original on August 24, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  23. ^ "2002 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships". Streetswing.com. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  24. ^ "US Open Swing Dance, 2005 division winners". Usopenswingdc.com. Archived from the original on February 4, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  25. ^ "US Open Swing Dance, 2009 division winners". Usopenswingdc.com. Archived from the original on May 26, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  26. ^ "2011 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Winners". Usopenswingdc.com. Archived from the original on April 5, 2012. Retrieved September 6, 2012.
  27. ^ "2013". US Open Swing Dance Championships. Archived from the original on November 27, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  28. ^ "2014 Results". US Open Swing Dance Championships. Archived from the original on December 3, 2014. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  29. ^ "2015 Results". The Open Swing Dance Championships. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  30. ^ "2016 Competition Results and Videos – The US Open Swing Dance Championships". Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  31. ^ "2017 Competition Results – The US Open Swing Dance Championships". Retrieved December 26, 2018.
  32. ^ "Judge Marks and Results | Event Express Pro, LLC". eepro.com. Retrieved December 26, 2018.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Benji Schwimmer.
Preceded byNick Lazzarini Winner of So You Think You Can Dance 2006 Succeeded bySabra Johnson
So You Think You Can Dance (United States)
Authority control databases
Categories