Who is H. Jon Benjamin?

American actor, comedian, screenwriter and musician Harry Jon Benjamin, was born in Worcester, Massachusetts USA, on 23 May 1966, which makes Gemini his zodiac sign. He’s had roles in over 80 TV series and movies, ut is probably known best for voicing the lead character Sterling Archer in the animated action comedy series “Archer”, created by Adam Reed, and which also stars Judy Greer and Amber Nash. The series has been airing since 2009, follows the life of a secret agent, and won 18 of its 89 award nominations.

Education and early life

Jon was raised in Worcester by his mother Shirley who was a ballet dancer and teacher, and father Howard who was CEO of a small company; both Shirley and Howard are Jewish.

Jon became interested in acting while growing up, and was mostly passionate about imitating the voices of characters he saw in his favorite animated TV series. He studied at Worcester Academy and was a member of its drama club, and was also on the school’s softball team.

He matriculated in 1984, and then enrolled at Connecticut College from which he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in 1988. Jon then moved to Boston, Massachusetts and was one half of the comedy duo with Sam Seder for seven years.

Roles in TV series

Jon’s debut TV series role was playing Quark in the 1995 episode “Uncertainty” of the documentary “Understanding”, and the year 1997 saw him play various characters in the musical comedy “The Jenny McCarthy Show”, starring alongside Jenny McCarthy-Wahlberg and Jack Plotnick; it follows the life of ‘blonde bombshell and former playboy bunny Jenny McCarthy’.

From 1995 through 2002, Jon voiced one of the main characters Ben Katz in the popular animated comedy “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”, which also starred Jonathan Kat and Laura Silverman, and follows a therapist as he’s dealing with both his and other people’s problems; the series won five of its six award nominations. From 1999 through 2004, Jon voiced various characters in the animated comedy “Home Movies”, while the remainder of the decade heard him voice characters in the animated comedy “O’Grady”, another animated comedy “Freak Show”, and the animated horror comedy “Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil”.

From 2007 through 2015, he voiced Jewelry Store Clerk and various other characters in the popular animated action adventure “WordGirl”, created by Jack Ferraiolo and Dorothea Gillim, and which starred Dannah Feinglass Phirman, Chris Parnell and Maria Bamford. It follows the life of superhero Wordgirl, and the series won five of its 16 award nominations.

Some of Jon’s most recent roles in TV series have been in seven episodes of the animated musical comedy “Central Park” from 2020 through 2022, 26 episodes of the animated comedy “Family Guy” since 2006, and 254 episodes (lead role) of the animated comedy “Bob’s Burgers” since 2011, all voice roles.

Roles in movies

Jon made his debut film appearance in the 1997 comedy “Who’s the Caboose”, while some of his following roles were in the 1998 romantic comedy “Next Stop Wonderland”, the 1999 action crime thriller “Puppet’ and the 2000 romantic comedy “Happy Accidents”.

In 2002 he played Keith, one of the main characters in the popular comedy “Martin & Orloff”, directed by Lawrence Blume, and which also starred Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh. The movie follows an advertising agency employee who’s tried to kill himself, and is now seeing the therapist Dr. Orloff; it won two awards. Jon was then cast to play and voice characters in the 2003 thriller comedy “Temptation”, the 2007 romantic comedy “The Ten” and the 2008 animated drama “The Toe Tactic”.

He portrayed MCS Coach in the critically acclaimed 2014 action crime comedy “22 Jump Street”, which Christopher Miller and Phil Lord directed, and which starred Ice Cube, Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum. It follows the work of police officers Jenko and Schmidt, and the movie won seven of its 32 award nominations.

Some of Jon’s most recent film roles have been in the 2018 comedy “The Demons of Dorian Gunn”, the 2022 short animated comedy “My Butt Hazza Fever” (voice role) and the 2022 animated adventure comedy “The Bob’s Burgers Movie” (voice role).

Other credits

Jon has 22 writing and eight producing credits, while some of his most notable writing work has been 80 episodes of the animated comedy series “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist” from 1995 through 2002, 49 episodes of the animated comedy “Home Movies” from 1999 through 2004 and 10 episodes of the 2007 animated horror comedy series “Lucy: The Daughter of the Devil”.

Jon’s made a guest appearance in over 30 talk-shows, most recently in “Life is Short with Justin Long”, “IMDb on the Scene” and “The Majority Report with Sam Seder”.

Awards and nominations

Jon’s won three of his 16 award nominations: he won a 1995 CableACE Award for Animated Programming Special or Series, for “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist”, a 2013 Behind the Voice Actors Award for Best Male Lead Vocal Performance in a Television Series, for “Archer” and a 2020 Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in an Animated Production, for “Bob’s Burgers”.

He was also nominated for a 2010 Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Voice-Over Performance for “Archer”.

Love life and relationships

Jon’s not that open when it comes to speaking about his love life in public, and thus only a couple of details about it are known. He’s today in a long-term relationship with American set decorator Amy Beth Silver, and although some of Jon’s fans believe that the two are married, neither of them has confirmed this. Amy’s worked on 11 TV series and movies, with the most popular amongst these having been the 1997 comedy film “Gummo”, the 2017 war thriller film “The Beguiled” and the 2020 romantic comedy movie “On the Rocks”.

Jon and Amy have a son Judah together, but his birthdate hasn’t been disclosed.

He’s yet to mention other women whom he’s maybe been with, Jon’s in a long-term relationship with Amy Beth Silver as of April 2023, and they have a son together.

Interesting facts and hobbies

One of Jon’s best friends is famous American actor, screenwriter and producer David Cross, who’s probably known best for starring as Tobias Funke in all the 84 episodes of the comedy series “Arrested Development”, which aired from 2003 through 2019.

Jon’s a member of comedy troupes Comedy Lab and Cross Comedy.

His family always called him ‘Jon’ while he was growing up, and he didn’t even know until his later years that his first name was ‘Harry’.

He’s an amateur ornithologist, while ornithology’s a special branch of zoology that studies birds.

Jon endorsed Bernie Sanders in the 2020 presidential election primaries.

His favorite actor is Jim Carrey, while some of Jon’s favorite movies include “Man on the Moon”, “The Cable Guy” and “Dumb and Dumber”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Jon’s age is 56. He has blue eyes and is bald, he’s 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall and weighs around 150lbs (67kgs).

Jon’s net worth’s been estimated at over $6 million, as of April 2023.

Who is Kristy Swanson?

American actress Kristen Noel Swanson was born in Mission Viejo, California USA on 19 December 1969, making Sagittarius her zodiac sign. She’s appeared in close to 100 TV series and movies, but is perhaps still known best for playing the lead character Buffy in the hit 1992 action fantasy comedy movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, which Fran Rubel Kuzui directed, and which also starred Paul Reubens and Donald Sutherland. It follows teenager Buffy Summers as she’s fighting vampires; the film was nominated for only a single award.

Kristy’s still today active in the film industry, and is currently shooting for the upcoming movie “Reapers Night”.

Education and early life

Kristy was raised in Mission Viejo alongside her brother Rob Swanson Junior, by their mother Rosemary Swanson and father Robert Swanson Sr; not a lot has been disclosed about Kristy’s family, as they prefer to stay away from media, but Kristy was nine when she told her parents that she wanted to act, and they thus drove her to various auditions. It took a couple of months until she was cast to appear in a doll house commercial, while she was then invited to appear in a number of other commercials.

Kristy was still attending a local elementary school when she made her debut TV series appearance, playing Laura in the 1984 episode “Love Letters” of the comedy “It’s Your Move”, and she’s been active in the film industry ever since.

She studied at El Toro High School in Lake Forest, California, and upon matriculating in 1988 didn’t pursue a college degree.

Roles in TV series

Kristy appeared in an episode or two of various series in the second half of the ‘80s, and 1989 saw her play one of the main characters Rebecca ‘Becky’ Granger in all the 13 episodes of the drama “Nightingales”, created by Frank Furino and Howard Lakin, and which also starred Suzanne Pleshette and Chelsea Field; it follows the lives of five nursing students and their mentor Leonore.

Kristy had only a single TV series role in the ‘90s, portraying the supporting character Erica Paget in the adventure comedy “Early Edition”, which Bob Brush and Ian Abrams created, and which starred Fisher Stevens, Shanesia Davis and Kyle Chandler. The series follows a man who receives tomorrow’s newspaper today, it aired from 1996 through 2000, and won three of its 14 award nominations.

Kristy made a guest appearance in an episode or two of only a couple of series in the 2000s, such as the crime action “CSI: Miami”, the crime mystery “Law & Order: Criminal Intent”, and the comedy “3Way”.

From 2011 through 2014, she played Marlowe Viccellio in the crime mystery comedy “Psych”, which Steve Franks created, and which starred Timothy Omundson, Dule Hill and James Roday Rodriguez. The series follows a man who’s convinced the police that he has psychic powers, and is now helping them solve difficult cases; the series won five of its 37 award nominations.

Kristy’s since appeared in only two TV series, playing Julia Logan in four episodes of the 2019 war action “SEAL Team”, and Linda Gibson in six episodes of the 2022 drama “Sons of Thunder”.

Roles in movies

Kristy made her debut film appearance in the hit 1986 romantic comedy “Pretty in Pink”, which Howard Deutch directed, and which starred Harry Dean Stanton, Jon Cryer and Molly Ringwald. It tells the story of a poor girl who can choose whether she wants to be with a wealthy playboy or her high school sweetheart, and the fillm won a BMI Film Music Award. Some of Kristy’s other roles in the ‘80s were in the 1986 comedy “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”, the 1987 mystery thriller “Flower in the Attic”, and the 1988 action “The Loner”.

The year 1994 saw her play one of the main characters Natalie Voss in the popular action adventure comedy “The Chase”, written and directed by Adam Rifkin, and which also starred Charlie Sheen and Henry Rollins. It follows convict Jack Hammond who’s escaped from prison, and has taken a woman hostage. Kristy could then have been seen appearing in the 1996 action thriller “Marshal Law”, the 1997 adventure crime comedy “8 Heads in a Duffel Bag”, and the 1999 action crime adventure “Supreme Sanction”.

She starred as Louise Bauer in the 2001 crime thriller “Zebra Lounge”, directed by Kari Skogland, also starred Stephen Baldwin and Cameron Daddo. and tells the story of a husband and wife who’ve taken up a life of crime. In 2003, Kristy portrayed Dr. Kelli Raymond in the action crime adventure “Red Water”, while the year 2005 saw her star in both the crime thriller “Bound by Lies”, and the crime mystery “Forbidden Secrets”.

In 2010, she played the main character Wendy Walker in the family fantasy “What If…”, directed by Dallas Jenkins, and which also starred Kevin Sorbo and John Ratzenberger. It follows Ben Walker, who’s been allowed to see what his life would’ve become if he’d chosen love over his career; the movie won one of its three award nominations.

What marked the 2010s for Kristy was perhaps starring alongside Dean Cain in the 2018 romantic family drama “Winter’s Dream”, directed by David Winning, and which follows former professional skier Kat who’s fallen in love with the widowed father of a girl whom she’s teaching to ski.

Kristy’s three most recent movie roles have been in the drama “Worst Nightmare”, the family drama “Courting Mom and Dad” and the action “Just Another Dream”, all released in 2021.

Other credits

Kristy sang the song “Feelings” in the 1992 movie “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.

She produced the 2005 crime thriller movie “Bound by Lies”.

Kristy received special thanks for the 2017 family movie “Cupid’s Proxy”.

Some of her recent talk-show appearances have been in “Fox Files”, “Women of the Bible Speak” and “Fox News Primetime”.

Awards and nominations

Kristy won a 1999 Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Horror or Mystery Motion Picture, for her performance in “Flowers in the Attic”.

She’s been nominated for seven other awards, which include three Young Artist Awards from 1986 through 1988, for her performance in “Cagney & Lacey”, “Mr. Boogedy” and “Deadly Friend”, a 1992 Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Actress, for “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”, and a 2012 MovieGuide Award for Most Inspirational Television Acting for “A Christmas Wish”.

Love life and relationships

Kristy avoids speaking about her love life in public, but some details about it are still known.

She was 17 when she began dating American actor and screenwriter Alan Thicke, who was 40 at the time; they were together for only a couple of months.

Kristy met former Canadian professional skater Lloyd Edgar Eisler in 2006, when they were paired up for the figure skating talent show “Skating with Celebrities”. They married in a private ceremony on 7 February 2009, two years after Kristy had given birth to their son Magnus Hart Swanson Eisler on 16 February 2007; Lloyd has two children from a former marriage.

Kristy’s married to Lloyd Eisler as of April 2023, and they have a son together.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Kristy was addicted to cocaine, and was arrested after she overdosed; she was also an alcoholic, and was ordered to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings after she was arrested for drink-driving. She was also arrested in October 2007, after she physically assaulted her husband Lloyd’s former wife Marcia O’Brien.

Kristy and famous American actor, screenwriter and producer Charlie Sheen co-starred in three movies: “The Chase”, “Hot Shots!” and “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off”.

She’s appeared in two movies in which her characters jump through a second story window: “Deadly Friend” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”.

One of her best friends is American actor Dean Cain.

Kristy’s favorite actor is Robert De Niro, and some of her favorite movies include “The King of Comedy”, “Heat” and “Mean Streets”.

Height, eyes and wealth

Kristy’s age is 53. Her eyes and hair are brown, she’s 5ft 6ins (1.68m) tall and weighs around 130lbs (60kgs).

Kristy’s net worth’s been estimated at over $4 million, as of April 2023.

Who was Pat Morita?

The late Japanese-American actor and comedian Noriyuki ‘Pat’ Morita was born in Isleton, California USA, under the zodiac sign of Cancer on 28 June 1932. Pat was able to overcome all obstacles and appeared in close to 200 TV series and movies, while he’s probably still remembered best for starring as Miyagi in the evergreen 1984 family action movie “The Karate Kid”, which John G. Avildsen directed, and which also starred Elizabeth Shue and Ralph Macchio. It follows a martial arts master who’s begun coaching a bullied boy, and the movie won three of its seven award nominations, including Pat’s Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

Family and disability

Pat was raised in Isleton alongside his 12 years senior brother Hideo ‘Harry’, by their Japanese immigrant parents Momoe and Tamaru.

Pat was only two when he was diagnosed with spinal tuberculosis, and spent the majority of the following eight years i the Weimar Institute, prior to being treated at San Francisco’s Shriners Hospital. He was often wrapped in a full-body cast, and it was believed that Pat would never be able to walk unaided.

He was 11 when he was released from the hospital and started to learn to walk again, however, Pat was then immediately taken to his parents who were interned at the Gila River Camp, a concentration camp built to keep Japanese Americans there during World War II; a year later, Pat was moved to the Tule Lake War Relocation Center.

Following the end of Second World War, Pat and his family moved back to San Francisco where he studied at Armijo High School, matriculating in 1949.

Career before acting

Pat then began helping his parents run their restaurant Ariake Chop Suey, which he described as a place for people who didn’t fit in anywhere. His father was murdered in a hit-and-run in 1956, and Pat and his mother then continued running the restaurant for a couple more years.

In the first half of the ‘60s, Pat began working as a data processor at the Department of Motor Vehicles, while he eventually began working at the rocket and mission propulsion manufacturer Aerojet General, the a few years later, Pat began working at the aerospace manufacturer Lockheed Corporation as a department head.

He eventually became bored with the job, and chose to test his luck in show business; although Pat failed to succeed as a comedian in San Francisco, everything changed when he moved to Los Angeles, California and began winning roles in both movies and TV series.

Roles in movies

Pat made his debut film appearance aged 35, in the popular 1967 romantic musical comedy “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, directed by George Roy Hill, and which starred Julie Andrews, James Fox and Mary Tyler Moore. It follows Millie Dillmount from New York City who’s determined to marry her boss – the movie won six of its 17 award nominations, including an Oscar win for Best Music, Original Music Score.

Some of Pat’s following roles were in the 1968 western comedy “The Shakiest Gun in the West”, and in 1972 the western comedy “Evil Roy Slade” and the mystery comedy “Cancel My Reservation”. What marked the ‘70s for him was perhaps portraying Rear Admiral Ryunosuke Kusaka in the historical action “Midway”, directed by Jack Smight, and which starred Charlton Heston, Henry Fonda and James Coburn. The film covers the major Battle of Midway during World War II, a catastrophic defeat for the Japanese..

Some of Pat’s most notable performances in the ‘80s were in the family sports action “The Karate Kid Part II” and the adventure family fantasy “Babes in Toyland” both in 1986, and the 1989 family action “The Karate Kid Part III”.

In 1992, he played Mahi Mahi in the hit romantic thriller comedy “Honeymoon in Vegas”, written and directed by Andrew Bergman, and which starred James Caan, Nicolas Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker. It follows Jack who’s lost $65,000 in a poker game in Las Vegas, Nevada while the winner’s promised to return his winnings if he’s allowed to spend the weekend with Jack’s fiancée Betsy; the movie was nominated for four awards. Pat could then have been seen appearing in the 1993 romantic action comedy “American Ninja 5”, the 1996 sports action “Bloodsport 2”, and the 1999 family war drama “I’ll Remember April”.

Most of the movies in which Pat appeared in the first half of the 2000s failed to attract any attention, with the exception of the 2003 biographical drama “High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story”, which starred Michael Imperioli, Andrew N. S. Glazer and Al Bernstein; it follows the life of professional poker player Stuey Ungar, and the movie won three awards.

One of his final roles was voicing The Emperor in the 2004 animated adventure comedy “Mulan II”, having previously voiced the same character in the evergreen 1998 movie “Mulan”. Many films featuring Pat have been released since his death, as a way to pay tribute; some of the most recent amongst these include the 2011 comedy “Act Your Age”, the 2013 romantic comedy “Blunt Movie” and the 2014 adventure family comedy “Rice Girl”.

Roles in TV series

Pat made his debut TV series appearance in the 1967 episode “The Recruiting Poster” of the war comedy “Gomer Pyle: USMC”, but he only began attracting attention in 1975, when cast to play the supporting character Matsuo ‘Arnold’ Takahashi in the critically acclaimed musical family comedy “Happy Days”. Garry Marshall created the series, which starred Mario Ross, Henry Winkler and Ron Howard, and follows the lives of members of the Cunningham family; the series aired until 1984, and won 19 of its 38 award nominations.

In 1987 and 1988, Pat starred as Lieutenant Ohara in the crime thriller “Ohara”, created by Hal Sitowitz and Ronald M. Cohen, and which also starred Robert Clohessy and Rachel Ticotin. It follows the life of a Los Angeles Police Department officer Ohara, and the series was nominated for two awards.

The ‘90s saw Pat appear in an episode of many series, including the science fiction comedy “The Munsters Today”, the family fantasy comedy “Harry and the Hendersons” and the science fiction action adventure “Space Rangers”. From 1998 through 2000, he starred as Uncle Pat in the family drama “Adventures with Kanga Roddy”, which also starred Alison Miller and Mickey Thomas, and follows Kanga Roddy as he’s teaching children dance, music and martial arts.

Pat’s three final TV series roles were in five episodes of the crime action adventure “Baywatch” (2000-2001), the 2002 episode “Yes Master” of the drama “Body & Soul”, and the 2003 episode “When Jimmy Met Greggy” of the comedy “Yes, Dear”.

Other credits

Pat wrote the 1987 romantic war movie “Captive Hearts” and two episodes of the 1988 crime thriller series “Ohara”.

He received special thanks (posthumously) for the 2005 sports documentary movie “The Way of the Karate Kid”, the 2007 romantic sports film “American Pastime”, and the 2018 episode “Counterbalance” of the hit action comedy series “Cobra Kai”.

Pat was occasionally invited to appear in talk-shows – some of his final appearances were in “An Evening at the Improv”, “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and “Lista Top 40”.

Awards and accolades

Pat received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on 4 August 1994.

He was nominated for two Golden Globes in 1985 and 1986, for his performance in “The Karate Kid” and “Amos”, respectively.

Love life and relationships

Pat was married to his third wife, American retired actress Evelyn Guerrero at the time of his passing; the two exchanged vows on 26 March 1994. Evelyn appeared in 39 TV series and movies prior to retiring in 1999. She was 17 years younger than Pat; they had no children together.

Pat’s first wife was non-celebrity American Kathleen Yamachi, and they had a daughter Erin Morita together; the two married on 13 June 1953, and divorced in 1970.

Pat’s second wife was non-celebrity American of Asian descent Yukiye Guerrero, and they had two daughters Aly and Tia together; Pat and Yukiye married on 28 December 1970 and divorced in 1989.

Interesting facts and hobbies

Pat was nicknamed ‘Hip Nip’ by a drummer, and he liked it so much that he used it as his stage name while working as a stand-up comedian.

He revealed that he was never able to do karate, and was only good at acting.

Pat often joked about famous American actor John Wayne becoming a millionaire only thanks to the Japanese.

He wasn’t expecting to be nominated for an Oscar for his performance in “The Karate Kid”, and was uncomfortable when his name was read at the ceremony.

Pat enjoyed playing billiards with his friends.

He was writing his own autobiography, but never managed to finish and publish it.

Death and wealth

Pat died from kidney failure on 24 November 2005, aged 73; he was an alcoholic from the start of his career, and it’s believed that alcohol contributed to his death. His remains were cremated.

Pat’s net worth was estimated at over $2.5 million at the time of his death.