Search

Ben Vereen

Celebrity

  • Birth Name: Benjamin Augustus Vereen
  • Birth Place: Miami, FL
  • Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 10/10/1946, Libra
  • Profession: Actor; dancer; singer
User Rating: (12 ratings)
Add Your Rating: 1 stars2 stars3 stars4 stars5 stars
Ben Vereen Fast Facts:
  • A veteran Broadway star, he earned a 1972 Tony nod for his role as Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar and won the award the next year for his performance in Pippin.
  • Came to national fame as Chicken George in the 1977 miniseries Roots.
  • Costarred with Jeff Goldblum in the 1980 detective series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe, playing a parolee-turned-PI. In 1988, he reprised the character as a regular in the series J.J. Starbuck.
  • Was almost killed in 1992 when he was accidentally hit by an automobile — being driven by music great David Foster — while walking on the Pacific Coast Highway. He was trying to return to his Malibu home after crashing his car. He suffered head and internal injuries, a broken leg, spent four hours in surgery and six weeks in the hospital.
  • Godfather to R&B singer Usher. Vereen helped him prepare for his 2006 Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in Chicago.
  • Ben Vereen Relationships:
  • Andrea Townsley Vereen - Ex-wife
  • Benjamin Vereen - Son
  • James Vereen - Father
  • Kabara Vereen - Daughter
  • Karon Vereen - Daughter
  • Malaika Vereen - Daughter
  • Naja Vereen - Daughter
  • Nancy Brunner Vereen - Wife
  • Pauline Vereen - Mother
  • Ben Vereen Awards:
  • 1985 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
  • 1976 Golden Globe: New Star of the Year - Actor - Nominee
  • 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Continuing or Single Performance by a Supporting Actor in Variety or Music - Nominee
  • 1977 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series - Nominee
  • 1992 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Special - Nominee
  • 1972 Tony: Actor, Supporting or Featured (Musical) - Nominee
  • 1973 Tony: Actor (Musical) - Winner
Advertisement

Advertisement