Few entertainers today are as accomplished or versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country’s artistic legacy. His first love and passion is and always will be the stage. “The theater was my first training ground. It taught me discipline, dedication, and appreciation of hard work and values that will stay with me for a lifetime. The stage sharpens the creative instrument and encourages you to go deeper inside and try new things,” states Ben.
Ben wrapped the Chuck Lorre series B POSITIVE on CBS, and last season, completed multiple episodes of THE GOOD FIGHT, playing FREDERICK DOUGLAS, also on CBS. He performed his concert act for the Star Trek Convention in Las Vegas in August, and has upcoming dates in Chicago, Las Vegas, and the Carolinas in 2022. Before Broadway reopened, Ben appeared on CBS Watch Here, performed in Times Square for the Juneteenth celebration and was featured in Town and Country. He recently appeared in the national commercial to bring back NYC and Broadway “It’s Showtime in NYC.”
Ben performed an abundance of virtual events during Covid in 2020 and most of all his deep passion for the Homeless, led him into producing, directing, and starring in a benefit for ‘Care for the Homeless.’ His passion for the arts and education is ongoing and each year teaches classes online and in person.
Ben appeared in MAGNUM P.I. and BULL for CBS, multiple episodes of STAR for Fox, and the BET Series TALES. Ben also co-starred with RICHARD GERE in TIME OUT OF MIND, CHRIS ROCK in TOP FIVE, and was featured as Dr. Scott in the re-imagined THE ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW for 20th Century Fox. Bryan Cranston picked Ben to co-star in SNEAKY PETE for Amazon. Ben continues to tour the country with his concert act, motivational lectures, and master classes. He performed sold out runs at Jazz at Lincoln Center, as well as in Toronto, Los Angeles, San Diego, Las Vegas, Pittsburgh, as well as a lecture at Tuskegee University for Black History Month. As you know, he won a Tony Award/Drama Desk for Pippin, starred in such musicals as Jesus Christ Superstar, Fosse, Hair, Jelly’s Last Jam, Chicago, Wicked, I’m Not Rappaport, to name a few and is remembered for films like ‘Sweet Charity’, ‘All That Jazz,’ and the Emmy winning role of Chicken George in the iconic ‘Roots.’
Ben is an active member of Americans for the Arts, the largest advocacy group of the Arts in America. He went to Washington DC and spoke before Congress defending the National Endowment for the Arts against the proposed budget cuts. He also attended the Democratic National Convention where he spoke to various senators, congressmen, governors on the arts and education and later sang “WHAT THE WORLD NEEDS NOW” on television in front of the approximately 50,000 delegates. Ben was inducted as an honorary member into Phi Beta Sigma and continues to be an active member.
Ben has received a number of awards including Israel’s Cultural and Humanitarian Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award and a Victory Award. He has received honorary doctorates from the University of Arizona, Emerson College, and Columbia College in Chicago. He received an Achievement in Excellence Award from his alma mater, the High School of the Performing Arts. Ben has also been inducted into The Theatre Hall of Fame, the Dance Hall of Fame, and has received various Emmy and Golden globe nominations. In, New York City he received the Broadway World Cabaret Award for BEST CELEBRITY MALE VOCALIST and the Career Achievement Award (Le Prix International Film Star Awards Organization). He is most proud of his ongoing work involving the Arts and Education, and providing the youth with arts programs across America. Ben received the Lifetime Achievement Award from The Gold Coast International Film Festival, and this past year he was honored as a living legend by THE AMERICAN BLACK FILM INSTITUTE. This coming week, he will be awarded the inaugural JUNETEENTH LEGACY AWARD from the Broadway League.
Recently, Ben recorded a new song/video for Ukraine: “We Sing for Ukraine” which will benefit both UNICEF and ABUNDANCE INTERNATIONAL, raising money for the children of Ukraine. He already raised thousands of dollars. He is now doing publicity to promote this and continue to help Ukraine on a larger scale. Ben produced an event for CARE FOR THE HOMELESS, served on Ballet Florida’s Board of Directors, worked with the AMERICAN RED CROSS and SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME ASSOCIATION, and THE ACTORS FUND. Ben spearheaded his own organization, CELEBRITIES FOR A DRUG FREE AMERICA which raised money for drug rehabilitation centers, educational programs and inner city community-based projects. The Community Mental Health Council awarded Ben with their 2004 Lifeline Celebration Achievement Award Scholarship for the Performing Arts, and in 2004, he received an Achievement in Excellence Award from his alma mater, the High School of the Performing Arts.
“It’s always pleasant to spend time in the company of a survivor, a pro, and a performing prince. Ben Vereen is all three,” — New York Times