Background
Owen Benjamin was born Owen Smith to John Kares Smith and Jean Troy-Smith, both professors at State University of New York at Oswego.
Owen Benjamin was born Owen Smith to John Kares Smith and Jean Troy-Smith, both professors at State University of New York at Oswego.
He attended college at the State University of New York at Plattsburgh where he got his start in television at the student run station Plattsburgh State Television.
Benjamin can currently be heard on his Why Didn"t They Laugh podcast by Sideshow Network. WDTL is in the top sixty of iTunes podcasts (2015). He played host on Esquire Network"s The Next Great Burger which aired summer of 2015.
He is seen on Oprah Winfrey"s network OWN as he played a correspondent to Tyson Beckford and Rev Run on their show lieutenant"s Not You lieutenant"s Men (2016).
Benjamin produces the late show on Saturday Nights at The Improv in Hollywood, California, and he has also performed on Music Television"s show Punk"daughter He has been on The Jay Leno Show having appeared twice in a segment performing comical jingles for local Burbank businesses.
Benjamin has starred in several web-only video series. Since 2008 he has been appearing on Sony Pictures Television"s C-Satellite Pour l’Observation de la Terre, including the role of Owen on Gaytown as well as hosting his own series, Owen Benjamin Presents.
In March 2009 Benjamin began playing the role of Chance Stevens on Heckle U for Columbia Broadcasting System Interactive.
In 2007, he made an appearance in I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. The scene was deleted from the theatrical release, ut can be found in the extended deleted scenes in the home video release. In 2008 Benjamin had a supporting role in The House Bunny.
In 2009, he played the leading role in the romantic comedy All"s Faire in Love, costarring with Christina Ricci.
He gave his expertise to the club to help it, as well as performing his comedy act for their re-opening under the new name.
On Spike television"s Bar Rescue S3E10 episode "Meat Sauna", Benjamin made a special appearance as he helps the dying Stand Up Scottsdale comedy club be rescued into being reopened as a franchise of the Laugh Factory Comedy Club.