Ben Schwartz

Benjamin Schwartz (born September 15, 1981)[1] is an American actor, voice actor, comedian, improviser, writer, director and producer, who portrayed Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on the NBC sitcom Parks and Recreation, Clyde Oberholt on the Showtime series House of Lies, voices Dewey Duck in DuckTales and appears in the CollegeHumor web series Jake and Amir.

For other uses, see Benjamin Schwarz (disambiguation).
Ben Schwartz
Schwartz in 2009
Birth nameBenjamin Schwartz
Born (1981-09-15) September 15, 1981
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Occupation
  • Actor
  • voice actor
  • comedian
  • improviser
  • writer
  • director
  • producer
MediumFilm, television, internet
Years active2006–present
GenresImprovisational comedy
Websitewww.rejectedjokes.com

His feature film credits include Peep World,[2] Everybody's Fine, The Other Guys, The Walk, This Is Where I Leave You, Standing Up, Falling Down, and Sonic the Hedgehog as the titular character.

Early life

Schwartz was born in 1981 in The Bronx, New York City. His parents, both Bronx natives,[3] raised Schwartz in Riverdale, a neighborhood in the Northwestern part of the Bronx. His father was a social worker before going into real estate[4] and his mother was a music teacher.[5] In an interview with Kevin Pollak, he stated, "When I told people I was from the Bronx, it was like 'Oh, do you have bullet wounds?' And I'm like 'No, it's just me and, like, Jewish people.'"[4]

When he was eleven years old, his family moved to Edgemont, New York, in adjacent Westchester County.[4] Schwartz attended Edgemont Junior–Senior High School where he played basketball and sang in the chorus; he graduated in 1999.[6] He then attended Union College from which he graduated in 2003 with a double major in psychology and anthropology.[7]

Career

On television, Schwartz guest-starred as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC's Parks and Recreation[8] and was a lead in the Showtime show House of Lies.[9] In 2010, Schwartz played series regular Bill Hoyt on J. J. Abrams' one-hour spy drama Undercovers for NBC.

Schwartz has been writing, directing and acting in his own short films for some time. He had his own segment on HBO’s Funny or Die Presents called Terrible Decisions with Ben Schwartz and has appeared in multiple CollegeHumor[10] sketches including the popular web series Jake and Amir. Schwartz has been nominated for three Emmys and won the 2009 Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for coauthoring Hugh Jackman's opening number for the 81st Academy Awards.[11]

In September 2013, he was hired by Paramount Pictures to re-make the 1991 comedy Soapdish,[12] retitled El Fuego Caliente and reworking the original's American soap opera into a Latin telenovela,[13] with producers Rob Reiner and Alan Greisman and he sold an original pitch to Universal Studios based on an idea by Brian Grazer with Imagine Entertainment attached to produce. He was a staff writer for the third season of Adult Swim’s Robot Chicken and served as a freelance writer for the Weekend Update segment of Saturday Night Live as well as the monologues for the Late Show with David Letterman.[8]

Schwartz is an alumnus of the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCBT)[8] and continues to perform there regularly. He is a member of the improv group "Hot Sauce" with Adam Pally and Gil Ozeri, the group performs their long-form improv show "Something Fresh" at UCBT every month.

He and Bill Hader served as vocal consultants for Star Wars: The Force Awakens.[14] Schwartz also played a cameo role as a Stormtrooper in the film.[15]

Since 2014 Schwartz has appeared in episodes of the Comedy Bang! Bang! podcast as the only guest in "Solo Bolo" (2014), "Solo Bolo Dos Lo" (2015), "Solo Bolo Trolo" (2016), "Solo Bolo Cuatrolo" (2016) "Solo Bolo Cincolo" (2017) and "Solo Bolo Sonicolo" (2020). In nearly each episode he and host Scott Aukerman compete in the Olympic Song Challenge.

In 2017, Schwartz began voicing Dewey in the Disney XD revival of DuckTales.[16] Schwartz has been featured as himself in Netflix's Home: Adventures with Tip & Oh’s 2017 animated Christmas special - Home for the Holidays - alongside Kelly Clarkson.[17] He provided the voice of Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[18] In August 2018, Schwartz was announced to voice the titular character in the 2020 film, Sonic the Hedgehog.[19]

On September 26, 2019, it was announced that Schwartz was cast as F. Tony Scarapiducci in the upcoming Netflix comedy series, Space Force.[20]

In April 2020, Schwartz and fellow improvisor, Thomas Middleditch, starred in Netflix's first long-form improv special, Middleditch and Schwartz, a three-part series of hour-long performances filmed at New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.[21]

Books

Schwartz has co-written four books, three with writer Amanda McCall: Grandma’s Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals; Maybe Your Leg Will Grow Back!: Looking on the Bright Side with Baby Animals and Why is Daddy in a Dress?: Asking Awkward Questions with Baby Animals and one with writer Laura Moses, Things You Should Already Know About Dating, You F-king Idiot.[22]

Filmography

Film
YearTitleRoleNotes
2007New York City SerenadeRuss
2009Mystery TeamDougie's Buddy
I Hate Valentine's DayTammy's Date
Everybody's FineWriter
2010The Other GuysBeaman's Assistant
Peep WorldNathan Meyerwitz
2013TurboSkidmarkVoice
Coffee TownGino
Better Living Through ChemistryNoah
Runner RunnerCraig
2014This Is Where I Leave YouRabbi Charles "Boner" Grodner
Happy ChristmasParty Guest
The InterviewEminem's Publicist
2015The WalkAlbert
Star Wars: The Force AwakensBB-8 (voice)Consultant[14]
2016The InterventionJack
2017How to Be a Latin LoverJimmy / Valet
Outside InTed
2018Happy AnniversarySam
Blue IguanaPaul Driggs
An Actor PreparesJimmy
Night SchoolMarvin
2019The Lego Movie 2: The Second PartBanarnarVoice
Standing Up, Falling DownScott
2020Sonic the HedgehogSonicVoice and facial motion-capture
2021RumbleTBA (voice)In production
2022Untitled Sonic the Hedgehog sequel[23]SonicVoice and facial motion-capture
TBAFlora & UlyssesGeorge BuckmanPost-production

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2006Late Night with Conan O'BrienVarious1 episode
2007StarveillanceGlenn (voice)3 episodes
2007–08Bronx World TravelersBen5 episodes
Also producer and director
2008–09Mayne StreetEvan Mintz10 episodes
2009Intercourse With A VampireWaiter1 episode
Accidentally On PurposeMaxEpisode: "Working Girl"
Happiness Isn't EverythingJacky HamburgerTelevision film
2009–11Terrible Decisions with Ben SchwartzBenAlso producer
2010The Sarah Silverman ProgramWriterEpisode: "A Slip Slope"
2010–12UndercoversBill Hoyt13 episodes
2010–15, 2020Parks and RecreationJean-Ralphio Saperstein22 episodes
2011Funny or Die PresentsBenSegment: "Terrible Decisions"; also producer
MadVarious voicesEpisode: "Ribbitless/The Clawface"
2012Tron: UprisingRilo (voice)Episode: "The Renegade: Part 1"
2012–16House of LiesClyde Oberholt58 episodes
2012–15Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade NinjaRandy Cunningham (voice)50 episodes
2013The Doc FilesStuffy (voice)Spin off series to Doc McStuffins
Arrested DevelopmentJohn Beard Jr.Episode: "Colony Collapse"
CollegeHumor OriginalsHimself1 episode; also director
2013–20Bob's BurgersJosh / Rick (voice)4 episodes
2013, 2014Robot ChickenVarious voices2 episodes: "Papercut to Aorta", "Batman Forever 21"
2013–16Comedy Bang! Bang!Rodney Wayber4 episodes
2015–19BoJack HorsemanRutabaga Rabitowitz (voice)8 episodes
2015The SimpsonsClerk (voice)Episode: "Cue Detective"
Drunk HistoryMeyer LanskyEpisode: "Las Vegas"
The Late Late ShowHimselfEpisode that aired January 30
2016The Earliest ShowJosh Bath6 episodes; also director
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series
2016–17Animals.Various voices2 episodes
2017Hot DateRich BoyfriendEpisode: "Gold Diggers"
2017–presentDuckTalesDeweyMain voice cast[16]
2018Medal of HonorVito Bertoldo1 episode
2018, 2019Modern FamilyNick3 episodes
2018–present[24]Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesLeoMain voice cast
2019Ryan Hansen Solves Crimes on TelevisionHimselfEpisode: "Execution Dependant"
Pinky MalinkyCoach Freebird (voice)Episode: "Advanced"
Bajillion Dollar Propertie$Quistian Gayle2 episodes
2020Middleditch and SchwartzHimselfMain cast, also creator
American Dad!Brigham (voice)Episode: "Cheek to Cheek: A Stripper's Story"
Space ForceF. Tony ScarapiducciMain cast
Crossing SwordsKeefer (voice)2 episodes

Web series
YearTitleRoleNotes
2009–15Jake and AmirDating Coach (Amir Blumenfeld), Couples Therapist, Private Eye (Jope), Office Painter, H.R. Guy (Skolbilassus Jim), Mountain Hiker (Stanley), Interrogator (Carrot Slat), Milk Man (Charles Crooshtoost), Usher (Sulu Candles), Real Estate Agent (Cherry Dude), Himself22 episodes
2018Good Mythical MorningHimselfEpisode: "Crazy Free Stuff On Craigslist (GAME) ft. Ben Schwartz"[25]
2019Guest GrumpsEpisode: "Playing Magic Kingdom w/ Ben Schwartz!"[26]
2020Episode: "Playing Games with Epic Gamer BEN SCHWARTZ - Guest Grumps - Aladdin"[27]
Episode: "Playing Quiplash with Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz!"[28]
Good Mythical MorningEpisode: "Who Is the Fastest? (SPEED CHALLENGE)"[29]

Video games
YearTitleVoice role
2013Turbo: Super Stunt SquadSkidmark
gollark: MY EYES
gollark: ```curl -H "I-Am: A Potato" https://osmarks.tk```
gollark: ```curl --curl -X CURL -H "cUrl: CURL" curl://curl.curl/curl?curl=cUrl```
gollark: Please note that MCaaS Tau digits are *not* guaranteed to be accurate near the end beyond 100000 digits.
gollark: Pi and Tau only.

References
  1. "UPI Almanac for Saturday, Sept. 15, 2018". United Press International. September 15, 2018. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved October 15, 2019. comedian/actor Ben Schwartz in 1981 (age 37)
  2. Fernandez, Jay (25 February 2011). "TRAILER: Rainn Wilson and Sarah Silverman in 'Peep World'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 December 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  3. Ben Schwartz Raps Along to Sugarhill Gang's "Rappers Delight" in Sonic the Hedgehog's Voice (Video). February 7, 2020.
  4. Pollak, Kevin. "Kevin Pollak Chat Show: Ben Schwartz #143". Kevin Pollak Chat Show. YouTube. 10:30. Retrieved July 13, 2012.
  5. Marsh, Steve (January 12, 2012). "Ben Schwartz '03". Vulture. Retrieved June 18, 2012.
  6. Litt, Hannah (March 2015). "White Oak to Hollywood: An Interview With Ben Schwartz '99" (PDF). Edgemont School Foundation Newsletter. 3.
  7. "Notable Alumni in Entertainment" (PDF). Union College. Retrieved August 13, 2018.
  8. "Ben Schwartz". Upright Citizens Brigade. Archived from the original on 26 February 2011. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  9. Bacle, Ariana (June 12, 2016). "Ben Schwartz says goodbye to House of Lies in sweet letter". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  10. ""Ben Schwartz" Stuff on CollegeHumor". CollegeHumor. Retrieved 27 February 2011.
  11. "Primetime Emmy® Award Database". Primetime Emmy Award Database. Emmy.org. Retrieved 13 August 2011.
  12. Kit, Borys (23 February 2011). "Ben Schwartz to Pen 'Soapdish' Remake for Paramount". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 February 2011.
  13. Finke, Nikki (12 December 2011). "The Black List 2011: Screenplay Roster". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 17 September 2013.
  14. DiClaudio, Dennis (December 16, 2015). "Turns out Bill Hader and Ben Schwartz did the voice of BB-8 in The Force Awakens". The A.V. Club. Retrieved December 16, 2015.
  15. @rejectedjokes (4 May 2018). "On this beautiful #MayThe4thBeWithYou I feel like I can finally reveal that I played a Storm Trooper in @starwars The Force Awakens. It was an incredible honor and years later, I'm still smiling from the experience but please do not tell BB8" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. Petski, Denise (December 16, 2016). "'DuckTales': David Tennant, Danny Pudi, Ben Schwartz Among Voice Cast For Disney XD Reboot". Deadline. Retrieved July 14, 2017.
  17. Boone, John (November 17, 2017). "Kelly Clarkson Gets Animated in 'DreamWorks Home For the Holidays' Christmas Special (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved December 1, 2017.
  18. Snierson, Dan (November 2, 2017). "Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles cast features Ben Schwartz and Kat Graham". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 2, 2017.
  19. Couch, Aaron (August 8, 2018). "Ben Schwartz to Lead Paramount's 'Sonic the Hedgehog' Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
  20. Porter, Rick (September 26, 2019). "John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz Join Steve Carell in Netflix's 'Space Force'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 26, 2019.
  21. Chuba, Kirsten. "Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz on Convincing Netflix to Buy its First Improv Special". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 23 April 2020.
  22. Bacle, Ariana. "Ben Schwartz, Laura Moses announce new book". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 9 October 2018.
  23. Kroll, Justin (May 28, 2020). "'Sonic the Hedgehog' Sequel in the Works (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.com. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  24. @rejectedjokes (August 9, 2020). "And when they ask "How bad ass was the Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles series?" The reply will be "Ridicously bad ass." It was an absolute honor to play Leo in this series amongst a legendary cast & crew. Gonna miss this show. Thank you to the fans. See ya at the movies" (Tweet). Retrieved August 12, 2020 – via Twitter.
  25. "Crazy Free Stuff On Craigslist (GAME) ft. Ben Schwartz". Good Mythical Morning. 2018-09-03. Retrieved 2020-01-15.
  26. "Playing Magic Kingdom w/ Ben Schwartz!". Game Grumps. 2019-06-07. Retrieved 2019-06-07.
  27. "Playing Games with Epic Gamer BEN SCHWARTZ - Guest Grumps - Aladdin". Game Grumps. 2020-01-25. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  28. Playing Quiplash with Thomas Middleditch and Ben Schwartz!, retrieved 2020-06-15
  29. "Who Is the Fastest? (SPEED CHALLENGE)". Good Mythical Morning. 2020-02-20. Retrieved 2020-02-20.
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