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Benton Jennings

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Benton Jennings
Born
El Paso, Texas, US
Occupation(s)Film, television, stage actor, stage director, writer
SpouseLiz (1986–present)
Websitehttp://www.bentonjennings.com

Benton Jennings is an American film, television, and stage actor, based in Los Angeles, CA.

Career

He attended Texas Christian University (TCU) in Fort Worth, Texas with a BFA in Theatre Arts, London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA), and The Film Actors Lab in Dallas, Texas studying under Adam Roarke and Spencer Milligan.

Jennings has performed in over 60 film and television roles, and over 100 stage productions nationally in the UK, and Europe. He also acted in over 6000 performances with the nationally touring, award winning sketch comedy troupe, "The Gunfighters", which he co-founded in 1975.[1]

He has the dubious distinction of having portrayed Adolf Hitler five times: once on the TV soap Passions, David Zucker's 2008 comedy film An American Carol, the indie comedy feature "Poolboy: Drowning Out The Fury" with Kevin Sorbo, on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in the "Captain Mexico" parody sketch, ep 9.163, July 26, 2011, and February 2012 in a professional photo essay which depicts a time traveling assassin shooting Hitler.

In 2009, he became a series regular in the hit comedy web series Safety Geeks:SVI playing the role of Hopkins, a droll English butler. The series also stars Brittney Powell, Dave Beeler, Tom Konkle, and Mary Cseh. The series is a multiple award winner including "Best Film or TV Comedy" at the 1st International 3D Awards in Los Angeles.

In 2012 Jennings became a series regular on the award winning comedy web series "School And Board" playing school board president (and frozen yogurt tycoon) Mike Donovan. The series won "Outstanding Achievement - Ensemble Cast in a Comedy or Mockumentary Series" at the LA Web Fest.

Jennings was recently a member of the critically acclaimed SkyPilot Theatre Company in Los Angeles. While appearing in a production of "Requiem For A Heavyweight" by Rod Serling as the Doctor, having already received critical praise for the part ("...an excellent BENTON JENNINGS..." - Amy Bowker, The Tolucan Times) he stepped in to the lead role of Maish when actor Ken Butler became terminally ill, with only 4 days rehearsal to learn over 70 pages of dialog, and received standing ovations for his performances. For other productions with the company, he received reviews stating: "DEATH AND THE MAIDEN" by Ariel Dorfmann: "BENTON JENNINGS' portrayal of Dr. Miranda was outstanding, intelligently shifting the character in-and-out of the shadows, between the terrified and confused victim and the evil doctor who tortured Paulina - deftly keeping the audience guessing about his role in the former regime."- Maggie R., Goldstar ... "BENTON JENNINGS bravely and capably taking on one of the ugliest characters in modern theater history."- The Burbank Leader. "TAKING SIDES" by Ronald Harwood (Oscar winning writer of "The Pianist"), in the Lead Role of famed German orchestra conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler: "Taking Sides is powerful, taking place in Berlin, 1946, with gut-wrenching performances by an extraordinary cast...JENNINGS gives a multi-layered portrayal of the great conductor, first appearing as a dignified and proud figure, and at the end, in a tremendously moving speech, has a complete emotional breakdown of his character in a stunning, unforgettable performance." ... "Powerful, thought-provoking and disturbing... All of the actors are first-rate but BENTON JENNINGS is the standout -- possibly the best theatrical performance I've seen all year. See "Taking Sides" while you can -- it'll stick with you for a long, long time." - Frank Thompson; author, screenwriter, producer, historian "HELL CAB" by Will Kern: "The cast is first-rate, as it jumps from one character to another, no two the same. BENTON JENNINGS shows tremendous range as he moves in and out of the cab, alternating among characters that are weird, threatening, buffoonish, or Middle America..." --Jim Crogan, Backstage West He wrote and directed the company's first Children's Outreach Program production of "PETER COTTONTAIL, JR." : "Peter Cottontail Jr." Promotes Helping Others. (It) is a crowd pleasing play for children. Funny and delightful, the show promotes honesty and doing the right thing... Director BENTON JENNINGS builds a rapid pace to the show from constant movement, dancing, and great timing. Jennings creates an almost cartoonish atmosphere, through the use of slapstick, Three Stooges like sounds, and little signs... A sweet, entertaining story, "Peter Cottontail Jr." is an excellent production for the happy children in all of us." - Mary Mallory, Tolucan Times.

While with the Los Angeles sketch comedy company, "GOOD SPANKY!", Jennings also received excellent reviews: "An eclectic and versatile cast...brings a host of hilarious characters to life...this feels like sketch comedy the way it is meant to feel - quirky, loose, daring, and always memorable...There are plenty of highlights ...BENTON JENNINGS is Cahuenga, a pathetic art snob with his Gallery Appreciation Society -- "Cahuenga is thrilled to be here with G.A.S.!" ... "Good Spanky! has silliness galore and offers just about as charming a night of good, semi-clean fun as we could want." -- Backstage West . "...talented comedians...can kick up laughs." -- LA Weekly

He is the youngest son of William Bryan Jennings who played the cop in the 1966 cult film favorite, Manos: The Hands of Fate.[2][3]

He is the founder of the Living History organization, 93rd Sutherland Highland Regiment of Foot Living History Unit, organized in 1989.[4]

Filmography

Television

Film

References

  1. ^ The Gunfighters
  2. ^ Benton Jennings. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved on 2007-04-04.
  3. ^ Letters from our readers. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved on 2008-01-26
  4. ^ 93rd Sutherland Highland Regiment of Foot Living History Unit

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