Beck Bennett

Christopher Beck Bennett (born October 1, 1984) is an American actor, comedian, and writer, who was a cast member on ''Saturday Night Live'' for eight seasons (2013–2021). Before then, he performed in AT&T "It's Not Complicated" commercials in which he interviewed children, and produced sketch videos with the comedy group Good Neighbor and for his YouTube show ''Theatre of Life''.

Early life

Bennett was born in Wilmette, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago), the son of Sarah and Andy Bennett. He performed in multiple shows at Children's Theatre of Winnetka. He graduated from New Trier High School in 2003 where he played Jean Valjean in his school's production of ''Les Misérables''. Bennett attended the USC School of Dramatic Arts in the B.F.A. Acting program.

Career

In 2003, Bennett joined the improv/sketch group Commedus Interruptus along with fellow future ''SNL'' cast member 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. The group received praise from comedian Louis C.K. 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.

In 2011, Bennett created the satirical political talk show ''Fresh Perspectives'', which helped him land his AT&T commercials interviewing children.

In 2012, he appeared in the film '' Kill Me Now'', a film starring multiple Internet sketch-comedy groups, and filmed '' Beside Still Waters'' by writer/director Chris Lowell.

In March 2013, he appeared in an episode of '' Last Man Standing'', and that August voiced a character for ''Axe Cop'' for Fox's Animation Domination High-Def programming block. That 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, due to the move of three of the troupe's four members to New York City to star on ''Saturday Night Live''. That same year, Bennett completed work on the independent film '' Balls Out'' and appeared in season 4 of ''Arrested Development''.

Bennett voiced Launchpad McQuack in the ''DuckTales'' reboot which ran from 2017 to 2021, and Eric the robot in the Sony Pictures Animation film ''The Mitchells vs. the Machines''. He is currently the voice of Hamster in another Disney animated series, ''Hamster & Gretel''.

''Saturday Night Live''

Bennett debuted as a featured player on ''Saturday Night Live'' in its 39th season on September 28, 2013. He was promoted to repertory status for ''Saturday Night Live's'' 41st season on October 2, 2015. He left the show following the finale of the 46th season on May 22, 2021. In an interview with ''Time'' magazine, Bennett stated he chose to leave the show so he could be with his wife in Los Angeles instead of remaining in New York City and maintaining a long-distance relationship.

Personal life

On May 13, 2016, Bennett posted a photograph of himself with his girlfriend Jessy Hodges, with a caption that stated that the couple were celebrating five years together. The couple married on August 25, 2018. Bennett has been friends with fellow ''SNL'' cast member Kyle Mooney since they were students at the University of Southern California.

Filmography

Film

Television

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Beck
American male television actors
American male voice actors
USC School of Dramatic Arts alumni
1984 births
Living people
People from Wilmette, Illinois
New Trier High School alumni
American male film actors
Male actors from Illinois
21st-century American male actors
American impressionists (entertainers)
American sketch comedians
Comedians from Illinois
21st-century American comedians