Birthdate: Sep 15, 1981
Birthplace: Bronx, New York, USA
A versatile comic who has become a go-to vocal talent for animated features, Ben Schwartz (birthname: Benjamin Schwartz) is the lead voice of Paramount’s animation franchise, Sonic The Hedgehog (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog II (2022) and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024). His other major vocal performances in animated features in 2022 include DC League of Super-Pets and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Schwartz co-stars with Nicolas Cage (as Dracula) and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) in the April 2023 Universal release, Renfield, directed by Lego Movie franchise director-editor Chris McKay.
Ben Schwartz’s first break was joining the acclaimed improv comedy group, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His career rose notably in a running guest part on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, which he parlayed into a regular spot on J.J. Abrams’ 2010 NBC show, Undercovers. Although much of his work has centered on TV (such as his long-running vocal work in the acclaimed animated series Bob’s Burgers (2013-2020) and BoJack Horseman (2015-2019)) as well as live stand-up and web series, Schwartz has built a steady presence—mainly with his distinctive, Bronx-accented voice—in feature films.
Schwartz’s most important on-screen role to date was co-starring with Billy Crystal in the drama-comedy, Standing Up, Falling Down (2019). This was shortly followed by the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie in 2020, establishing Schwartz as a lead voice in a major studio animation feature. That same year, he joined comic actor Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) for Netflix’s two-person long-form improv show, Middleditch, and Schwartz.
Ben Schwartz continued as the voice of Sonic in the Paramount Pictures-released sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), reprising the original cast of James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Colleen O’Shaughnessy, Jim Carrey, and with Idris Elba joining the cast, and grossing $405.4 million on $110 million costs. Schwartz became an in-demand voice actor for other animated franchises, including Warner Animation Group’s $207.6 million-grossing DC League of Super-Pets (2022), with Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Kate McKinnon, John Krasinski, Diego Luna and Keanu Reeves.
Schwartz had a supporting role in the Chris McKay-directed Dracula-inspired horror comedy, Renfield (2023), with Nicolas Cage, Nicholas Hoult, Awkwafina, Shohreh Aghdashloo, and Adrian Martinez, released by Universal Pictures and losing money on its $65 million budget with a poor $27 million gross. Schwartz again starred as Sonic in the Paramount/Sega Studio sequel, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), with the original cast again reprising their roles along with new cast members Krysten Ritter and Keanu Reeves under Jeff Fowler’s direction.
Ben Schwartz joined the ensemble of the buddy action comedy, Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice (date to be announced), co-starring Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza Gonzalez, Jimmy Tatro, and Keith David under writer BenDavid Grabinski’s direction, and released by 20th Century Studios.
Ben Schwartz spent his early childhood in the northern section of The Bronx known as Riverdale, raised by a mother who taught in public school and a father who switched from social work to real estate. Schwartz has a sister named Marni. His family moved to Westchester County, where he attended high school and graduated in 1999. He attended Union College in New York City with a double major in anthropology and psychology. Schwartz is the father of one child. His height is 6’.
(2009)
(2022)
(2020)
Winner, Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics Emmy in a Limited Series or Special (2009); Three-time nominee, Emmy Awards.
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
Primetime Emmy
Primetime Emmy Awards
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Primetime Emmy Awards
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Author: Ben Schwartz is the author of five books, including Grandma’s Dead: Breaking Bad News with Baby Animals.
Song Man: Despite his success on TV and receiving multiple Emmy nominations as a comedy actor, notably as a cast member of Parks and Recreation, Schwartz’s only Emmy is for co-writing (with Hugh Jackman) lyrics for a song performed by Jackman on the 2009 Academy Awards show broadcast.
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