Benjamin Walker

Actor Benjamin Walker launched a career as a stand-up comedian before tackling performances on stage and screen, where he made his biggest impact on international audiences with his star-making turn as America's 16th president in "Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (2012).

After a notable feature film debut in the biographical drama "Kinsey" (2004), the then-fledgling actor was cast in Clint Eastwood's poignant WWII drama "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006). Walker also garnered numerous theater credits, including critically acclaimed Broadway performances in the titular role of the rock musical "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson." With his fame and credentials secured, Benjamin Walker proved to be a versatile actor in the 21st century, capable of commendable performances on stage as well as on the small and silver screens.

Born on June 21, 1982 in Cartersville, GA, Walker went on to attend Cartersville High School after which he studied at the Interlochen Arts Academy in Traverse City, MI, a specialized school for young artists. From there he attended Juilliard's Actor Training Program in New York City.

Before he graduated in 2004, he had created the comedy show "Find the Funny" as a way to hone his craft as an aspiring stand-up comic. The show grew to accommodate other comics, writers, and performers as well. Walker proved to be a notable stand-up comedian who performed at legendary venues including New York's Caroline's and the Comedy Village.

During his final year at Juilliard, Walker made his film debut in "Kinsey" (2004) in which he played the title character of at teenaged Alfred Kinsey (Liam Neeson) in this true story about the pioneer of human sexuality research. Walker then landed a bit part in another biographical drama, "The Notorious Bettie Page" (2005) starring Gretchen Mol as the scandalous 1950s pin-up queen.

A diverse performer, Walker appeared in numerous theater productions including "The Arrangements" (2005) at New York City's Atlantic Theatre Company, "Spring Awakening" (2005) at the Lincoln Center Theatre, and "Lady Windermere's Fan" (2005) and "Romeo and Juliet" (2006) at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in New York.

Further acting credits included a supporting role in the comedy drama "Unconscious" (2006) and a notable part as Harlon Block in Clint Eastwood's WWII drama, "Flags of Our Fathers" (2006). In 2006, Walker made his television debut in an episode of the documentary series "HBO First Look" (HBO, 1992- ) about "Flags of Our Fathers," followed by an appearance on the drama "3 lbs." (CBS, 2006).

In early 2007, he was back on Broadway for a revival of "Inherit the Wind" at the Lyceum Theatre, where he portrayed Bertram Cates opposite heavy-hitting co-stars Christopher Plummer and Brian Dennehy.

Later that year, Walker starred as an unconventional Andrew Jackson in the world premiere of the irreverent and critically acclaimed "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson" (2007) at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Los Angeles.

In 2008 Walker appeared in a production of "Les Liaisons Dangereuses" (2008) which was nominated for six Tony awards. He further appeared in "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson: The Concert Version" at New York's Public Theater in 2009 and 2010, and reprised his role for the Broadway production at the Bernard Jacobs Theater in late 2010.

Walker was further seen in films including "Wasted NYC" (2007) as well as in the short narrative "All Saints Day" (2007) which was a Tribeca Film Festival hit. He went on to perform in two indie films - Ron Daniel's adaption of "The War Boys" (2009) and in Will Frears' "Coach" (2009). Also notable this year on a personal level was Walker's engagement to Meryl Streep's daughter, actress Mamie Gummer, whom he married in 2011.

After a starring role in the musical comedy film "Wolfe with an E" (2011) about the hilarious hijinks of two characters who search for a musician named Henry Wolfe, Walters created a stir when he was cast in his second unconventional presidential role in director Timur Bekmambetov's hotly anticipated thriller "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" (2012).

After reportedly beating out the likes of Oscar winner Adrien Brody, as well as Josh Lucas and James D'Arcy for the titular lead, Walker immersed himself in the role of the beloved president who moonlights as a vampire killer. Riding high from that buzz-worthy project, Walker was cast in the drama "Muhammad Ali's Greatest Fight" (2012) alongside co-stars Christopher Plummer and Danny Glover in a story about Ali's fight with the U.S. government over his refusal to fight in the Vietnam War.

By Ela Lindsay