Wikipedia

Ben Mendelsohn

Paul Benjamin Mendelsohn (born 3 April 1969) is an Australian actor. He first rose to prominence in Australia for his break-out role in The Year My Voice Broke (1987). He gained international attention for his starring role in the crime drama Animal Kingdom (2010). He has since had roles in films such as The Dark Knight Rises (2012), Starred Up (2013), Lost River (2014), Mississippi Grind (2015), Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016), Darkest Hour (2017) and Ready Player One (2018).

Ben Mendelsohn
Mendelsohn at the 2017 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Paul Benjamin Mendelsohn

(1969-04-03) 3 April 1969 (age 57)
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
OccupationActor
Years active1984–present
WorksList of performances
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2012; div. 2016)​
Children2

Mendelsohn starred in the Netflix drama series Bloodline (2015–2017), for which he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2016. In the same year, he portrayed Orson Krennic in the Star Wars spin-off film Rogue One, and would later reprise the role in the second season of its companion series Andor (2025). He played the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood (2018). He joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Talos in the superhero film Captain Marvel (2019) and the Disney+ series Secret Invasion (2023).[1][2] He has also starred in the HBO crime miniseries The Outsider (2020). In 2024, he began portraying fashion designer Christian Dior in the television series The New Look.

Early life and family

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Mendelsohn was born in Melbourne, Victoria, the son of Carole Ann (née Ferguson) and Frederick Arthur Oscar Mendelsohn.[3][4] His father is a prominent medical researcher who previously headed the Howard Florey Institute in Melbourne, where he maintains the status of Professor Emeritus.[5] Ben and his two brothers, Tom and David, as well as his mother (deceased), a registered nurse, lived in Europe and the United States for long periods of time, and returned to Melbourne when he was in primary school. He attended Mercersburg Academy[6] in the U.S. before attending Heidelberg Primary School and Eltham High School and Banyule High (now Viewbank College).

In October 2009, he was featured in an episode of the Australian series Who Do You Think You Are?, which traced the ancestry of his paternal grandfather Oscar Mendelsohn, who was from a Jewish family. It also found convicts on his mother's side. Searching for a connection to composer Felix Mendelssohn, which was eventually dismissed, he discovered links to 19th-century Prussia. His paternal ancestors were among the first Prussian Jews to be naturalised in Schneidemühl in the province of Posen, now Piła in modern Poland.[7] He also has Greek, German and British ancestry.[8]

Career

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Mendelsohn at a screening of Killing Them Softly in 2012

After several early television roles, including The Henderson Kids alongside Kylie Minogue, he attracted notice in his break-out film, The Year My Voice Broke (1987), and won the Australian Film Institute Award for Best Supporting Actor.[9] His next major role was in The Big Steal (1990), and Spotswood (1992), co-starring with Anthony Hopkins;[10] this was followed in 1994 by Metal Skin[11] and in 1996 by Cosi and Idiot Box. In 2000, he was in two contrasting films, the Australian Mullet and the Hollywood Vertical Limit.[citation needed]

In 2005, he was preparing to play Mark Antony in the Sydney Theatre Company-produced Julius Caesar,[12] and he was in the Terrence Malick-directed film The New World.

Mendelsohn starred in the second (2005) and third (2006) season of the TV series Love My Way, and in 2008, he appeared in Baz Luhrmann's Australia. He starred in the first season of the Melbourne TV series Tangle, which premiered on Showcase in 2009. In 2009, he appeared in the American science fiction film Knowing directed by Alex Proyas. The same year, Mendelsohn starred as Ned in Beautiful Kate, directed by Rachel Ward, opposite Bryan Brown and Rachel Griffiths.

In 2010, he appeared in Animal Kingdom, starring in the film as Andrew "Pope" Cody, a criminal on the run from the law living in the notorious Melbourne Underworld. The role won him many awards, including IF Award's Best Actor and the AFI's award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He was also named by GQ Australia as Actor of the Year for 2010.[13]

Mendelsohn was selected as one of the subjects in the Who's Who in Australia 2012 edition.[14] In 2012, Mendelsohn played the supporting roles of villain John Daggett in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises and Robin Van Der Hook in Derek Cianfrance's The Place Beyond the Pines. In this same year, he played Russell in the neo-noir Killing Them Softly.

In 2012, he appeared in Florence + the Machine's music video for "Lover to Lover". The video was directed by Vincent Haycock. In 2013, he guest starred in the TV series Girls as the father of Jessa, played by Jemima Kirke. The following year, he appeared in the critically acclaimed Starred Up, directed by David MacKenzie, for which he won Best Supporting Actor at the British Independent Film Awards.

In 2014, Mendelsohn joined the cast of Bloodline, a Netflix original from the creators of Damages. The first season premiered on the site on 20 March 2015 and was well received. Mendelsohn's performance on the series was lauded by critics,[15][16][17] resulting in a Primetime Emmy Award win as well as a Golden Globe Award nomination. In September 2016, Netflix announced that the show had been cancelled, and that it would end after its third season in 2017. Season 3 of Bloodline received negative reviews, and Mendelsohn appeared in two episodes of it.[18][19]

In 2016, he appeared in video as an onstage "stand-in" during the Nostalgic For the Present concert tour of Australian singer Sia, for her song "Breathe Me".[20]

He portrayed the villain Director Krennic in the Star Wars franchise's Rogue One in 2016. He called the opportunity to act in a Star Wars film "a childhood dream come true".[21] A couple of years later in 2018, he played the role of Nolan Sorrento in Steven Spielberg's science fiction film Ready Player One.[22] In 2018, he starred in the film The Land of Steady Habits. He was cast in the role of Talos in Marvel's film Captain Marvel alongside Brie Larson and Samuel L. Jackson. He reprised the role for a brief cameo in Spider-Man: Far From Home, also in 2019.[23] That same year, Mendelsohn made his animated feature debut as the voice of Killian, the antagonist of Blue Sky Studios' Spies in Disguise.

In 2020, Mendelsohn starred in the lead role in the HBO crime miniseries The Outsider. In December 2020, it was announced he would be reprising his role as Talos, along with Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, in the Disney+ series Secret Invasion.[1] In 2025, Mendelsohn reprised his role as Director Krennic from Rogue One in the second season of Andor.[24]

Mendelsohn will appear as Nahash of Ammon in the upcoming 2026 film Zero A. D., a dramatization of the events around the Massacre of the Innocents.[25]

Personal life

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Mendelsohn married British-American journalist Emma Forrest in June 2012.[26] He has a daughter with Forrest, born in 2014, and another daughter from a previous relationship, Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn, who is also an actor.[27][28][29] He and Forrest divorced in 2016.[30]

Music

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Year Title Artist Notes
1993 Full Moon, Dirty Hearts INXS Music video appearance
1996 "Theme from Skippy the Bush Kangaroo" Ben Mendelsohn Idiot Box (original motion picture soundtrack)
1997 "Remember to Forget" Ben Mendelsohn & Phil Judd Amy (original motion picture soundtrack - onscreen only)
1997 "Sense of Humour"
1997 "Runaway Train"
1997 "Shakedown the Moon"
1998 "What I Don't Know 'bout You" You Am I Music video appearance
2007 "Out in the Blue" Jimmy Barnes Music video appearance
2012 "Lover to Lover" Florence and the Machine Music video appearance
2014 "Cool Water" Ben Mendelsohn Lost River (original motion picture soundtrack)
2014 "Magic Moments"
2016 "Breathe Me" Sia On-stage interpretive dance
2017 Humanz Gorillaz Narration on intro and interludes
2019 "Unless It Kicks" Ben Mendelsohn Untogether (original motion picture soundtrack)
2021 "What I Deserve" Ben Mendelsohn Cyrano (original motion picture soundtrack)

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Work Result Ref.
1987 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role The Year My Voice Broke Won [9]
1990 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role The Big Steal Nominated [31]
1991 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Spotswood Nominated [32]
1994 Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor – Male Metal Skin Won [33]
1995 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Nominated [34]
1997 Camério Award for Best Actor Amy Won
2001 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Mullet Nominated [35]
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor – Male Nominated [36]
2007 Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor Love My Way Nominated [37]
AACTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Television Drama Nominated
ASTRA Award Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Nominated
2008 ASTRA Award Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Nominated
2009 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Beautiful Kate Nominated [38]
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor – Male Nominated [36]
2010 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role Animal Kingdom Won [39]
IF Award for Best Actor Won [36]
Film Critics Circle of Australia Award for Best Actor – Male Won [36]
Logie Award for Most Outstanding Actor Tangle Nominated [40]
ASTRA Award Most Outstanding Performance by an Actor – Male Nominated [41]
2013 BIFA for Best Supporting Actor Starred Up Won [42]
Village Voice Film Poll for Best Supporting Actor Nominated
2015 Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead Mississippi Grind Nominated [36]
Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Bloodline Nominated
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [43]
Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film Nominated [44]
2016 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series Won [45][43]
Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Won [46]
Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film Nominated [47]
2017 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series Nominated [43]
AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor Darkest Hour Nominated [48]
2019 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role The King Nominated [49]
2020 AACTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role Babyteeth Won [50]
2021 Critics' Choice Super Award for Best Actor in a Horror Series The Outsider Nominated [51]
AACTA International Award for Best Supporting Actor Babyteeth Nominated [52]

See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 Gelman, Vlada (10 December 2020). "Secret Invasion, Marvel Series Starring Samuel L. Jackson, Coming to Disney+". TVLine. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 12 May 2021.
  2. ↑ Albers, Caitlin (15 May 2021). "Here's Who's Directing Marvel's 'Secret Invasion' Disney+ Series". Collider. Archived from the original on 16 May 2021. Retrieved 26 May 2021.
  3. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn – Episode 3 – Season 2 – Who Do You Think You Are?". SBS. 15 August 2012. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  4. ↑ Sullivan, Leanne (2009). Who's Who in Australia. Crown Content. ISBN 978-1-74095-166-1. Retrieved 13 April 2014 – via Google Books.
  5. ↑ "Professor Fred Mendelsohn". The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health. Archived from the original on 7 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  6. ↑ "Our Alumni". 18 July 2019. Archived from the original on 19 May 2022. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  7. ↑ "Who Do You Think You Are?". SBS. Archived from the original on 20 July 2015. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  8. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn: behind the bad guy mask". 26 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 March 2018. Retrieved 30 March 2018.
  9. 1 2 "Film institute award winners". The Canberra Times. 10 October 1987. p. 10. Retrieved 20 October 2018 – via National Library of Australia.
  10. ↑ McDonald, Dougal (22 February 1992). "Feel-good movie, but lacks drama, tension". The Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). p. 42. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  11. ↑ McDonald, Dougal (6 May 1995). "Probing young people's injured psyches". Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995). p. 56. Retrieved 20 October 2018.
  12. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn: Mark Antony". Life Matters. ABC Radio National. 18 July 2005.
  13. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn". GQ. 17 December 2010. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  14. ↑ Delany, Colin (8 December 2011). "Emile Sherman, Ben Mendelsohn and Lizzy Gardiner recognised in 2012's Who's Who". mumbrella.com.au. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  15. ↑ McFarland, K. M. (24 March 2015). "Kyle Chandler Isn't Bloodline's Star. This Unknown Actor Is". Wired. Archived from the original on 26 March 2015. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  16. ↑ Grozdanovic, Nikola (31 March 2015). "Netflix Neo-Noir 'Bloodline' Gives Viewers The Tragic Anti-Hero Television Has Been Waiting For Since Walter White". IndieWire. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 31 March 2015.
  17. ↑ Fowler, Matt (24 March 2015). "Bloodline: Season 1 Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 27 March 2015. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
  18. ↑ Travers, Ben (27 May 2017). "Bloodline Season 3 Netflix Review: A Meaningless Ending – Spoilers". www.indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 18 October 2017. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  19. ↑ Prudom, Laura (14 September 2016). "'Bloodline' Ending After Season 3 on Netflix". Variety. Archived from the original on 24 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2016.
  20. ↑ Stevenson, Jane. "Crowd eats up pop star Sia's minimalistic show". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on 27 October 2016. Retrieved 6 November 2016.
  21. ↑ Patterson, John. "Rogue One's Ben Mendelsohn: 'Star Wars is a childhood dream come true'". The Guardian. Guardian News & Media Limited. Archived from the original on 14 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
  22. ↑ Gill Pringle (21 March 2018). "Ready Player One star Ben Mendelsohn: 'The Governor or the Boss. That's what he's known as - it's hardly a state secret. He's Steven Spielberg'". The Independent. Archived from the original on 4 March 2020. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  23. ↑ Joanna Robinson (2 July 2019). "That Spider-Man: Far From Home End of Credits Reveal, Explained". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on 2 July 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2019.
  24. ↑ Perez, Rodrigo (24 June 2024). "'Andor': Ben Mendehlson Will Reprise His Orson Krennic Role In Season Two [Exclusive]". The Playlist. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  25. ↑ An Unrecognizable Jim Caviezel Stars as Herod the Great in Angel Studios’ Nativity Thriller ‘Zero A.D.’ | Exclusive
  26. ↑ Maddox, Garry (6 October 2012). "Killing Them Softly, How Hollywood Fell For Ben Mendelsohn". The Sydney Morning Herald. Archived from the original on 27 April 2014. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  27. ↑ Hornaday, Ann (5 April 2013). "Ben Mendelsohn is everywhere. Finally". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2017.
  28. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn Discusses New Dior Show and His Hollywood Career". WWD. 14 February 2024. Archived from the original on 17 August 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  29. ↑ "Sophia Wright-Mendelsohn". IMDb. Archived from the original on 30 November 2024. Retrieved 30 September 2024.
  30. ↑ "'Rogue One' Star Ben Mendelsohn Settles Divorce and Half of His 'Star Wars' Royalties Goes to Ex". The Blast. 3 October 2018. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 18 February 2022.
  31. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 1990". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  32. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 1991". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  33. ↑ "Metal Skin (1994)". Australian Screen]. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  34. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 1995". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  35. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 2001". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  36. 1 2 3 4 5 "Ben Mendelsohn". onlymelbourne.com.au. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  37. ↑ "2007 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  38. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 2009". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  39. ↑ "AACTA Awards Winners & Nominees 2010". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  40. ↑ "2010 Logie Awards". australiantelevision.net. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  41. ↑ "Home makeover show wins big at ASTRAs". ABC News. 24 June 2010. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  42. ↑ "Starred Up – 2013 BIFA Nominations". bifa.film. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  43. 1 2 3 "Bloodline". televisionacademy.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  44. ↑ "2015". Press Academy. International Press Academy. Archived from the original on 20 March 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  45. ↑ Stone, Natalie. "Emmys 2016: Bloodline's Ben Mendelsohn Wins Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series". People. Archived from the original on 21 October 2019. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  46. ↑ "2016 WINNERS & NOMINEES". Press Academy. International Press Academy. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024. Retrieved 21 October 2019.
  47. ↑ "Ben Mendelsohn". goldenglobes.com. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  48. ↑ "7th AACTA International Awards". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  49. ↑ "2019 AACTA Awards". AACTA. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  50. ↑ "Winners & Nominees". www.aacta.org. Archived from the original on 1 July 2019. Retrieved 22 February 2022.
  51. ↑ Hammond, Pete (19 November 2020). "'Palm Springs', 'Lovecraft Country' Top Movie And Series Nominations For Inaugural Critics Choice Super Awards; Netflix Lands 35 Nods". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 25 December 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2021.
  52. ↑ Vlessing, Etan (6 March 2021). "AACTA International Awards: 'Promising Young Woman' Wins Top Prize". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 7 May 2021.

Further reading

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  • Romei, Stephen. (2005). "The Face: Stephen Romei meets Ben Mendelsohn (actor)". Review liftout, p. 3, The Weekend Australian, 25–26 June 2005
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