Ben Schwartz
Birthdate: Sep 15, 1981
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA
A versatile comic who has become a go-to vocal talent for animated features, Ben Schwartz (birthname: Benjamin Schwartz) is the lead voice of Paramount’s animation franchise, Sonic The Hedgehog I (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog II (2022). His other major vocal performances in animated features in 2022 include DC League of Super-Pets and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Schwartz co-stars with Nicolas Cage (as Dracula) and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) in the April 2023 Universal release, Renfield, directed by Lego Movie franchise director-editor Chris McKay.
Ben Schwartz’s first break was joining the acclaimed improv comedy group, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His career rose notably in a running guest part on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, which he parlayed into a regular spot on J.J. Abrams’ 2010 NBC show, Undercovers. Although much of his work has centered on TV (such as his long-running vocal work in the acclaimed animated series Bob’s Burgers (2013-2020) and BoJack Horseman (2015-2019)) as well as live stand-up and web series, Schwartz has built a steady presence—mainly with his distinctive, Bronx-accented voice—in feature films.
Schwartz’s most important on-screen role to date was co-starring with Billy Crystal in the drama-comedy, Standing Up, Falling Down (2019). This was shortly followed by the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie in 2020, establishing Schwartz as a lead voice in a major studio animation feature. That same year, he joined comic actor Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) for Netflix’s two-person long-form improv show, Middleditch, and Schwartz.
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Personal Details
Ben Schwartz spent his early childhood in the northern section of The Bronx known as Riverdale, raised by a mother who taught in public school and a father who switched from social work to real estate. Schwartz has a sister named Marni. His family moved to Westchester County, where he attended high school and graduated in 1999. He attended Union College in New York City with a double major in anthropology and psychology. Schwartz is the father of one child. His height is 6’.
Filmography
actor
Upcoming (1)
- 2024 | Sonic the Hedgehog 3asSonic
Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance.
Previous (8)
- 2023 |
- 2022 | DC League of Super-PetsasMark (aka Fire Guinea Pig)
DC League of Super-Pets
Krypto the Super-Dog and Superman are inseparable best friends, sharing the same superpowers and fighting crime side by side in Metropolis. However, Krypto must master his own powers for a rescue mission when Superman is kidnapped.
- 2022 | Sonic the Hedgehog 2asSonic
Sonic the Hedgehog 2
When the manic Dr. Robotnik returns to Earth with a new ally, Knuckles the Echidna, Sonic and his new friend Tails is all that stands in their way.
- 2020 | Sonic the HedgehogasSonic
Sonic the Hedgehog
After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him.
- 2019 | The Lego Movie 2: The Second PartasBanarnar
The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part
It's been five years since everything was awesome and the citizens are facing a huge new threat: Lego Duplo invaders from outer space, wrecking everything faster than they can rebuild.
- 2018 | Outside InasTed
Outside In
An ex-con struggling to readjust to life in his small town forms an intense bond with his former high school teacher.
- 2016 | Night SchoolasMarvin
Night School
A documentary about three students determined to graduate from their high school in Indianapolis, despite the fact that the institution has one of the lowest graduation rates in the country.
- 2017 | How to Be a Latin LoverasJimmy
How to Be a Latin Lover
Finding himself dumped after twenty-five years of marriage, a man who made a career of seducing rich older women must move in with his estranged sister, where he begins to learn the value of family.
director
Previous (1)
- 2017 | The Space Between UsasDirector
The Space Between Us
The first human born on Mars travels to Earth for the first time, experiencing the wonders of the planet through fresh eyes. He embarks on an adventure with a street-smart girl to discover how he came to be.
Some Facts About Ben Schwartz
Author: Ben Schwartz is the author of five books, including Grandma’s Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals.
Song Man: Despite his success on TV and receiving multiple Emmy nominations as a comedy actor, notably as a cast member of Parks and Recreation, Schwartz’s only Emmy is for co-writing (with Hugh Jackman) lyrics for a song performed by Jackman on the 2009 Academy Awards show broadcast.
