Ben McKenzie

Benjamin McKenzie (born Benjamin McKenzie Schenkkan; September 12, 1978) is an American actor and producer known for playing Ryan Atwood on the hit television series The O.C., which earned him many Teen Choice Award nominations. He has starred in films such as 88 Minutes and Junebug, which earned him Sarasota Film Festival nominations and he was also voted one of Teen People's Hottest 25 Stars.

  

McKenzie enjoys skiing, snowboarding, and football and used to compete in national football competitions. He is good friends with his O.C. co-stars Adam Brody, Mischa Barton and Rachel Bilson. He was linked to Rachel McAdams, Mischa Barton, Rachel Nichols, Emily VanCamp and Amanda Loncar. McKenzie supports Barack Obama in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

As of 2005, he became the third star of The O.C. to appear on Punk'd. He set up his co-star Adam Brody in 2004, and he appeared again on Punk'd in 2005, this time getting punk'd by Kutcher's crew members. During the 2004 Democratic National Convention and in support of presidential candidate Senator John F. Kerry, McKenzie gave a speech appealing to young Americans to go out and vote. During the Democratic primary season, he visted numerous college campuses such as The University of Texas at Austin with actress Kerry Washington endorsing Barack Obama and encouraging students to vote. He is also known to be a Boston Red Sox fan and enjoys baseball. He stated on the The Ellen DeGeneres Show that he has adopted an abandoned Pitbull, named Oscar.