Michael Benz (C’04), a distinguished alumnus of Georgetown University, has carved a remarkable path in the world of acting. His journey, starting from the stages of Georgetown to the prestigious Shakespeare’s Globe in London and beyond, showcases a compelling narrative of talent, dedication, and a profound connection to his alma mater. This article delves into the career of Michael Benz Actor, exploring his formative years, his rise in the acting world, and his reflections on the experiences that shaped him.
Benz’s connection with Georgetown remains strong, as highlighted by Maya Roth, director of Theater & Performance Studies at Georgetown. Roth recounts the invaluable experience of Benz sharing his insights with students, tracing his trajectory from his Georgetown days to classical conservatory training, navigating the early stages of his professional acting career, and ultimately achieving significant recognition. This engagement underscores Benz’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of actors and his appreciation for the foundation Georgetown provided.
Benz’s Georgetown roots are deeply embedded in his theatrical journey. From his early performances in productions like Twelfth Night at the university, Benz progressed to portraying iconic roles such as Hamlet at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre, in collaboration with Shakespeare’s Globe of London. His portrayal of Hamlet garnered critical acclaim, with Washingtonian magazine noting his unique interpretation, describing him as an “emo Hamlet Ethan Hawke never quite managed to deliver,” emphasizing his distinctive approach to the classic character.
His portrayal of Hamlet extended beyond the Folger, as Benz embarked on a tour with Shakespeare’s Globe of London, performing the role across the UK in the summer and continuing in the United States until late November. This extensive engagement with such a demanding role demonstrates Benz’s dedication and capability as a leading actor on both sides of the Atlantic.
Insights from Georgetown
Maya Roth, who witnessed Benz’s growth firsthand at Georgetown, expresses immense pride in his accomplishments. Having directed Benz as Malvolio in Twelfth Night during his university years, Roth and other faculty members took a group of 20 students to witness Benz’s Hamlet performance at the Folger. This initiative underscores the faculty’s commitment to connecting students with successful alumni and providing real-world learning experiences.
Roth emphasizes the significance of Benz returning to Georgetown to share his journey. She highlights the exceptional value of his insights into classical conservatory training for graduate school, the challenges and triumphs of early career navigation as a professional classical actor, and his subsequent rise to prominence, including performing alongside Ralph Fiennes, collaborating with Trevor Nunn, and taking on the lead role in Hamlet on tour. Roth further notes Benz’s rare ability to “activate poetic language,” emphasizing his skill in bringing heightened language to life with authenticity and depth, avoiding forced emotion.
Benz’s academic background at Georgetown, where he majored in psychology and minored in theater and theology, laid a solid foundation for his multifaceted career. His academic achievements were recognized when he received the department’s top award for critical and creative scholarship upon graduation. He further honed his craft at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, solidifying his commitment to professional acting.
Interestingly, Benz’s accent reflects his dual heritage, wavering between British and American. Born in England to American parents, Thomas (F’70) and Peggy Benz, who moved to London over 30 years ago, Benz embodies a blend of cultural influences that likely enriches his performances and perspectives.
The Spark of Inspiration: Home Alone
Michael Benz, in his role as Hamlet for Shakespeare’s Globe of London, reveals that his initial interest in acting was ignited by the movie Home Alone. Photo by Fiona Moorhead
Despite his relatively young age, Michael Benz actor already possessed considerable acting experience before his time at Georgetown. He had starred in a British sitcom and played the lead role in the BBC series Little Lord Fauntleroy, showcasing early talent and versatility.
Benz traces his acting aspirations back to a childhood experience of watching Home Alone starring Macaulay Culkin. He vividly recalls telling his mother, “Mum, you know, I can do that,” to which she responded with hesitant encouragement. This youthful confidence and spark of inspiration led him to take initiative, directly contacting agents listed in the yellow pages near his Hampstead home.
His proactive approach soon yielded results. Producers and casting directors visited the American School in London, where Benz and his siblings were students, seeking a young, preferably blonde boy for a children’s sitcom role named Mike.
Benz, along with his five siblings, attended the K-12 American School in London, and remarkably, four of the Benz siblings later attended Georgetown, highlighting a strong family connection to the university.
After several auditions, Benz secured the role of Mike in Mike and Angelo, a children’s sitcom that ran for six successful years, from 1993 to 1998. He fondly describes it as a “really lovely, wholesome show,” comparing it to a British version of Mork and Mindy, emphasizing its family-friendly and entertaining nature.
Early Roles and Georgetown Connections
Benz’s early career also included Little Lord Fauntleroy, which aired in the mid-1990s. In this series, he played Cedric, a young boy from New York City who discovers he is the heir to a British Earldom. A notable connection to Georgetown emerges through David Healy, who played Mr. Hobbs, a friend of Cedric in New York.
David Healy was the brother of Timothy Healy, S.J., former President of Georgetown University from 1976 to 1989. Benz recounts a conversation with the elder Healy on set, who inquired about his future aspirations. When Benz mentioned acting, Healy encouraged him to consider university, specifically mentioning his brother’s university in Washington, D.C. This early interaction subtly planted the seed for Benz’s eventual Georgetown journey.
Both David Healy and Timothy Healy S.J. are remembered fondly, and this anecdote highlights the unexpected Georgetown connections that subtly influenced Michael Benz’s path.
Grounded by Family
Benz attributes his grounded perspective and humility to his upbringing in a large family. Being one of six children kept him firmly rooted and prevented any sense of inflated ego from his early fame. He humorously notes that fame in the UK is less intense than for child stars in the US, like the cast of Saved by the Bell, allowing for a more balanced upbringing.
His siblings, Patrick (C’02), Kathleen (C’07), and Kevin (C’09), all followed him to Georgetown, while Thomas graduated from Lehigh and Christopher from Villanova, showcasing a family tradition of higher education and a strong Georgetown presence.
Tragedy and Perspective
There was no opportunity for me to start thinking I’m bigger than my shoes. The nice thing about the U.K. is the fame doesn’t get to the level like those Saved by the Bell kids.
— Michael Benz (C’04)
Benz reflects on the stark contrast between acting in tragedies and experiencing real-life tragedy. He shares the profound personal loss of his sister Kathleen Benz, a Georgetown employee who served as an executive assistant, who tragically passed away in a car accident in Alaska in 2010.
Kathleen Benz was deeply involved in Georgetown’s Office of Campus Ministry and an active member of Dahlgren Chapel, where she served as an Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist. Her untimely death deeply impacted the family and the Georgetown community.
Michael describes the loss as “an endless ongoing horror and pain for the family,” and remembers Kathleen as “the most selfless person I knew,” highlighting her suitability for Georgetown’s values and community spirit. He finds solace in the belief that “love doesn’t die, and that there’s a string that attaches us to those that we love forever,” offering a poignant reflection on grief and enduring connections.
Remembering Kathleen and Georgetown’s Support
Michael recalls his close bond with Kathleen, particularly during her freshman year at Georgetown when he, as a senior, looked out for her. He remembers feeling immense pride at her graduation and was deeply moved by the outpouring of support at her funeral and memorial services.
The memorial mass at Dahlgren Chapel, led by Rev. Kevin O’Brien, S.J., now Vice President of Mission and Ministry at Georgetown, was attended by a large number of people, reflecting Kathleen’s wide-reaching impact. Benz expresses profound gratitude for the Georgetown community’s response, particularly mentioning President DeGioia’s presence and support for his parents during that difficult time.
He emphasizes how much Georgetown “rallied around the family,” describing President DeGioia’s gesture of sitting with his parents and holding his mother’s hand as deeply meaningful and a testament to the university’s caring community.
Bonds Forged in Theatre
As a freshman at Georgetown, Benz immersed himself in campus life, joining the Chamber Singers, Mask & Bauble (the university’s oldest theater club), and Nomadic Theatre. He emphasizes the unique bonding experience of collaborating on theatrical productions.
“There’s nothing more bonding than doing a play together with a group of people,” Benz states, recalling their production of The Marriage of Bette and Boo by Christopher Durang. This shared experience led to lifelong friendships with fellow Georgetown students who shared his passion for theatre.
He fondly names several of these friends, including Catherine Norris (C’04), Kristine Johanson (SFS’04), Sorell (Richard) Negro (C’04), Nathan Kleinman (SFS’04), and Michal Slaby (C’04), highlighting their diverse and successful careers following Georgetown.
A Lesson in Citizenship
Michael Benz, during a visit to Georgetown, shares a pivotal lesson about citizenship he learned during his time as a student. This experience has motivated him to vote in every election since, both in Britain and the U.S.
Benz recounts a formative experience at Georgetown that instilled in him a profound sense of civic responsibility. During the 2000 US presidential election, despite being registered to vote, he chose not to participate. He admits feeling disconnected and underinformed, much like an 18-year-old in London during a general election might feel.
However, the aftermath of the election and a subsequent class discussion in Professor Steven Sabat’s psychology class deeply impacted him. He recalls the intense reactions of his peers to the election outcome and their passionate engagement with the political process.
The following day, Professor Sabat conducted a poll in their 90-student class, asking students to raise their hands if they had voted. Nearly everyone did. Then, he asked who didn’t vote due to ineligibility, revealing a small group of international students or those under 18.
Finally, Sabat asked who could have voted but didn’t. Benz hesitantly raised his hand, noticing only one other student doing the same. Despite initially lowering his hand in discomfort, Sabat encouraged him to keep it raised and delivered a powerful impromptu lesson on the importance of exercising the right to vote, emphasizing the sacrifices made to secure that right.
This experience served as a turning point for Benz. “Ever since I have voted in every single election that I could in Britain and in the U.S.,” he affirms, demonstrating a lasting commitment to civic engagement and the lesson learned at Georgetown about the importance of exercising one’s rights and responsibilities as a citizen.
Michael Benz actor’s journey is a testament to the transformative power of education, the enduring impact of mentorship, and the fulfilling pursuit of one’s passion. His story resonates as an inspiring example of a Georgetown alumnus who has achieved international recognition while remaining connected to the values and community that nurtured his early aspirations.
