Julie Benz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Julie Benz
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Benz in 2016
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| Born | May 1, 1972 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Education | New York University (BFA) |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1987–present |
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Julie Benz (born May 1, 1972) is an American actress. She is famous for playing Darla in the TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel. She also played Rita Bennett on the series Dexter.
Her role in Dexter was very popular. She won a Satellite Award in 2006 and a Saturn Award in 2009 for Best Supporting Actress.
Benz has also appeared in many other TV shows. These include No Ordinary Family, Defiance, and Hawaii Five-0. Some of her movies are Jawbreaker (1999), Rambo (2008), and The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009).
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Early Life and Skating
Julie Benz was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Her mother was a figure skater, and her father is a surgeon. When Julie was three years old, she started ice skating. She competed in figure skating for many years.
When she was 14, she had a leg injury that made her take a break from skating. The next year, an acting coach told her she would never be a good actress. But Julie didn't give up. She said that the coach's comment made her want to prove them wrong.
After her skating career ended, Julie started acting in local theater. Her first movie role was a small part in the horror film Two Evil Eyes (1990). After high school, she went to New York University to study acting.
Acting Career
After graduating from college in 1993, Benz moved to Los Angeles to find acting jobs. She appeared in several TV shows, including Married... with Children, Step by Step, and Boy Meets World.
During the 1990s, she worked steadily in television and movies. She even got to show off her skating skills in an episode of Diagnosis: Murder.
Breakthrough Role as Darla
In 1996, Benz tried out for the main role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer. She didn't get the part of Buffy, but the creators liked her so much they offered her a smaller role as the vampire Darla.
Her performance as Darla was a big hit with fans. The role was made bigger, and she appeared in more episodes. This part helped make her famous. She later played Darla again in the spin-off show Angel, appearing in several seasons.
Success with Dexter and Other Shows
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In 2006, Benz joined the cast of the popular TV show Dexter. She played Rita Bennett, the main character's girlfriend and later wife. For her work on Dexter, she won a Satellite Award and a Saturn Award.
After Dexter, Benz starred in the superhero family show No Ordinary Family as a mom with super-speed. From 2013 to 2015, she played Mayor Amanda Rosewater in the science fiction series Defiance. She also had a recurring role as Abby Dunn in Hawaii Five-0.
Movie Roles
Besides her TV work, Benz has been in many movies. She played a cheerleader in the dark comedy Jawbreaker (1999). In 2008, she starred alongside Sylvester Stallone in Rambo.
She also appeared in the action movie Punisher: War Zone (2008) and the horror film Saw V (2008). In 2009, she played an FBI agent in The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day.
Personal Life
Benz was married to actor John Kassir from 1998 to 2007. In 2012, she married Rich Orosco.
Images for kids
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Benz at the Paley Center for Media Gala in 2008
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(From left) Julie Benz, David Zayas, Michael C. Hall and C.S. Lee in December 2008
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Benz at a Dexter event in Hollywood, 2010
See also
In Spanish: Julie Benz para niños
