Ben Vereen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ben Vereen
Ben Vereen in September 2014
Born	Benjamin Augustus Middleton (1946-10-10) October 10, 1946 (age 78) Dade County, Florida, U.S.
Occupation	Actor dancer singer voice actor
Years active	1965–present
Spouse(s)	Andrea Townsley ​ ​ (m. 1966; div. 1974)​ Nancy Bruner ​ ​ (m. 1976; div. 2012)​
Children	6, including Karon Davis
Relatives	Noah Davis (son-in-law)

Benjamin Augustus Vereen (born October 10, 1946) is a famous American actor, dancer, and singer. He became well-known for his amazing performances in Broadway musicals like Jesus Christ Superstar and Pippin. For his role in Pippin, he won a special award called the Tony Award in 1973, which is a very big deal in theater!

Early Life and Learning

Ben Vereen was born in Florida on October 10, 1946. When he was a baby, his family moved to Brooklyn, New York City. He was adopted by James and Pauline Vereen. He found out he was adopted when he was 25 years old, while applying for a passport to travel for a show.

Even when he was young, Ben loved drama and dance. He often performed in local shows. When he was 14, he went to the High School of Performing Arts. Here, he learned from famous dancers and choreographers like Martha Graham. After he graduated, it was sometimes hard to find acting jobs, so he took other jobs to earn money.

Amazing Career

On Stage

Ben Vereen started his professional acting career at 18 in New York City. Soon after, he was performing in Las Vegas in a show called Sweet Charity. He also joined the Broadway production of Hair.

He later appeared in the movie version of Sweet Charity. He even danced alongside the legendary Sammy Davis Jr. After that, he became Sammy Davis Jr.'s understudy for a show called Golden Boy, which toured in England.

Ben Vereen was nominated for a Tony Award for his role as Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar in 1972. The next year, he won a Tony Award for his performance in Pippin. He also played the Wizard of Oz in the Broadway musical Wicked in 2005. Besides musicals, Ben Vereen gives talks about black history and inspiring topics.

In 2011, he became a co-artistic director for the Broadway Theatre Project in Tampa.

On Television

Ben Vereen in 2007

Ben Vereen has also been in many TV shows. He is very well known for playing 'Chicken' George Moore in the famous TV miniseries Roots in 1977. This role earned him an Emmy nomination.

He had his own summer TV show called Ben Vereen ... Comin' At Ya in 1975. He was also a guest star on The Muppet Show in 1976, where he sang two songs.

In 1981, Ben Vereen performed at Ronald Reagan's first inauguration. Part of his performance was cut from the live TV broadcast, which caused some confusion. What viewers didn't see was that his full performance was meant to show how people of color faced challenges, by acting out being refused service.

He starred with Jeff Goldblum in the detective series Tenspeed and Brown Shoe (1980). He also appeared in the sitcom Webster and the drama Silk Stalkings.

U.S. President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan with a group at a Christmas TV special in 1982. Ben Vereen is on the right, next to Nancy Reagan.

In 1985, he played Puss in Boots in the Faerie Tale Theatre series. He was also in an episode of The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air as Will Smith's biological father. He played Mayor Ben (a leopard) on the children's show Zoobilee Zoo and Itsy Bitsy Spider in Mother Goose Rock 'n' Rhyme. In 1993, he appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation as the father of LeVar Burton's character, Geordi La Forge. Later, he appeared in How I Met Your Mother as Sam Gibbs, the father of James Stinson.

Personal Life

Family

Ben Vereen has six children. His daughter, Karon Davis, is a professional artist. He is also the godfather of R&B singer Usher. His cousin is former NFL running back Shane Vereen.

In 2012, he filed for divorce from his wife of 36 years, Nancy Bruner Vereen.

Health and Recovery

In 1992, Ben Vereen was in a serious car accident that caused him to have critical injuries, including a broken leg. He had to work very hard in physical therapy to recover.

In 2007, he was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. He now shares his story and advice from doctors on his website to help others.

Finding His Birth Family

Ben Vereen learned he was adopted when he was applying for a passport. His birth certificate showed his birth name was Benjamin Augustus Middleton and that he was born in North Carolina. In 2006, he visited Scotland County with a genealogist to find his birth family. He learned his birth mother's name was Essie May Pearson. He was very happy to finally find his family and meet his sister, Gloria Lewis-Walker.

Public Speaking

Ben Vereen is also a public speaker and humanitarian. He talks about important topics like black history, how to overcome challenges, and why it's important to keep learning. He is an active member of the Democratic Party.

Film and TV Shows

Film

Television

Theatre Performances

Music Albums

Solo Albums

• Off-Stage (Buddah Records, 1975)
• Ben Vereen (Buddah Records, 1976)
• Signed, Sealed, Delivered! (51 West, 1979)
• Here I Am (Accord, 1982)
• Steppin' Out Live (Ghostlight Records, 2010)

Group Albums

• Grind (Original Cast Recording) (TER, 1985)
• Pippin (Original Broadway Cast) (Decca Broadway, 2000)

Singles and EPs

• Superstar (MCA Records, 1971)
• Could We Start Again Please? / Heaven On Their Minds (Decca, 1972)
• Stop Your Half-Steppin' Ma Ma (Buddah Records, 1975)
• By Your Side (Buddah Records, 1975)
• Got It Made / Read Between the Lines (Ariola, 1980)

Awards and Special Honors

Ben Vereen's handprints at Walt Disney World's Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park

Theater Awards

Television Awards

Other Honors

Ben Vereen has received many awards for his good work and humanitarian efforts. These include Israel's Cultural and Humanitarian Awards, three NAACP Image Awards, and an Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award. He has also received honorary doctorates from several universities.

In 1975, he was the first person to win "Entertainer of the Year," "Rising Star," and "Song and Dance Star" awards all at once from the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). He is also in the Casino Legends Hall of Fame.

In 2011, he was added to the American Theatre Hall of Fame, which is a very high honor for theater performers. In 2012, he was also inducted into the National Museum of Dance's Hall of Fame.

See also

In Spanish: Ben Vereen para niños