Beck Bennett

This article is about the actor. For the singer, see Tony Bennett.
Beck Bennett
Born (1984-10-01) October 1, 1984
Wilmette, Illinois, United States
Occupation Actor, comedian, writer

Beck Bennett (born October 1, 1984) is an American actor, writer, and comedian known for the AT&T "It's Not Complicated" commercials where he interviews kids[1] and his sketch videos with the comedy group Good Neighbor.[2][3][4] Bennett appeared in Arrested Development,[5] and is currently a cast member on Saturday Night Live.

Early life

Beck Bennett was born in Wilmette, Illinois, the son of Sarah and Andy Bennett. He performed in multiple shows at Children’s Theatre of Winnetka.[6] He graduated from New Trier High School in 2003 where he played Jean Valjean in his school's production of Les Miserables.[7] Beck attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts in the B.F.A. Acting program.[7]

Career

In 2003, Bennett joined the improv/sketch group Commedus Interruptus along with Kyle Mooney and Nick Rutherford. In 2007, after graduation, Mooney, Rutherford, and Bennett joined with editor/director Dave McCary to form the sketch group Good Neighbor.[7] The group received praise from comedian Louis C.K.[8] and director Steven Spielberg, who sent Mooney, Bennett, Rutherford, and McCary a personal acknowledgement after being impressed with the Hook parody, Unbelievable Dinner. He complimented the sketch and encouraged the group to continue making funny movies.[9][10]

In 2011, Bennett created the fake news political talk show Fresh Perspectives,[11][12][13] which helped him land his AT&T commercials interviewing children.[14]

In 2012, he appeared in the film Kill Me Now,[15] a film starring multiple internet sketch-comedy groups and Beside Still Waters[16] by writer/director Chris Lowell.

In March 2013, Bennett appeared in an episode of Last Man Standing, and that August voiced a character for FOX ADHD's Axe Cop. That same year Good Neighbor produced a pilot for Comedy Central with Adam McKay's Gary Sanchez production company, though it was not picked up as a series, in light of the move of three of the troupe's four members to New York City to star on Saturday Night Live.[17] They debuted on SNL in September of that year, along with McCary as a director.[17]

That same year Bennett completed work on the independent film Balls Out,[18] and co-created the web series Theatre of Life,[19] in which he and Rutherford film unsuspecting pedestrians and voice-over their thoughts and dialogue.[20]

Recurring characters

Filmography

References

  1. ↑ Nudd, Tim (2013-04-15). "How AT&T Got Kids to Make Some of the Year's Best Ads". Adweek. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  2. ↑ Forde, Kevin. "The 8 Best Internet Sketch Troupes Whose Initials Aren't TAM". Cracked.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  3. ↑ Perkins, Colin (2010-10-05). "Sketch Artists: Good Neighbor Adds Some Absurdity to Viral Videos". Splitsider. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  4. ↑ "Good Neighbor Sketch Comedy". G4tv.com. 2008-12-19. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  5. ↑ Kurp, Josh (2013-05-08). "'Arrested Development' Season 4 Guest Star List". Uproxx.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  6. ↑ http://childrenstheatrewinnetka.com
  7. 1 2 3 "Beck Bennett's calling answered with AT&T ads - Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. 2013-01-30. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  8. ↑ "codythebeau comments on Louis C.K. reddit". Reddit.com. 2012-05-14. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  9. ↑ "Schubas". Schubas. 2012-01-06. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  10. ↑ Sykes, Tom (2013-04-09). "Beck Bennett: Meet That Guy in Those Adorable AT&T Commercials". The Daily Beast. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  11. ↑ McGlynn, Katla (2011-04-07). "'Fresh Perspective' On Libya Offered By Adorable Kids (VIDEO)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  12. ↑ Hampton, Adele (2012-03-30). "A seven-year-old's take on Mitt Romney's candidacy - The Hill's Video". Thehill.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  13. ↑ Friar, Christine (2011-07-01). "'Fresh Perspectives' Kids Talk Medicare, Call Paul Ryan A 'Lame Doo Doo' (VIDEO)". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  14. ↑ Stuart Elliott (2013-07-02). "A Spokesman Finds Fame Interviewing Tiny Experts". The New York Times. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  15. ↑ "Kill Me Now: Internet Sketch Comics Make A Movie - Geekblog - Hex19 | Celebrating All Things Geek". Hex19. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  16. ↑ Jeff Sneider (2012-05-31). "Chris Lowell sets feature directorial debut". Variety. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  17. 1 2 Frucci, Adam (2013-08-23). "Good Neighbor Is the New Lonely Island: 'SNL' Hires Director Dave McCary Alongside Two Cast Members". Splitsider. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  18. ↑ "Intramural: The Movie - 5 Questions w/ Beck Bennett". YouTube. 2013-08-01. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  19. ↑ "More Theatre of Life: Homeless Pirate". YouTube. 2013-04-07. Retrieved 2013-10-16.
  20. ↑ "Theatre of Life: Nick Rutherford and Beck Bennett - Video". Ebaumsworld.com. Retrieved 2013-10-16.

External links

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