{{short description|New Zealand actor}} {{other people||Ben Mitchell (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2015}} {{Cite check|article|date=August 2009}}

{{Infobox person | name = Benjamin Mitchell | image = | imagesize = | children = Mila Mitchell, Sofia Mitchell, Nico Mitchell | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1979|07|07}} | birth_place = New Zealand | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|df=yes|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} Death date then birth --> | death_place = | othername = | occupation = Actor | years_active = 1990 &ndash; present | spouse = Kate Mitchell (m. 2020) | domesticpartner = | website = }} '''Benjamin Mitchell''' (born 7 July 1979<ref name="personal bio">[http://www.byjove.tv/] Retrieved 23 October 2009. {{Dead link|date=March 2010}}</ref>), is a New Zealand actor best known for his role as Dr. TK Samuels in the soap opera ''Shortland Street''.

==Biography== Mitchell was born and raised in Hamilton. He is the oldest of three children, and left home at 15.<ref>{{cite news |title=Twelve Questions: Ben Mitchell |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/twelve-questions-ben-mitchell/3OWGV73JTRYD4UPKFNWRVSWXFE/ |access-date=18 October 2024 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=14 October 2014}}</ref> He is of Māori descent, of Tainui iwi (tribe).<ref name="auto">{{cite news |last1=Easther |first1=Elisabeth |title=Ben Mitchell's post-Shortland Street journey, from TV drama to concrete dreams |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/ben-mitchells-post-shortland-street-journey-from-tv-drama-to-concrete-dreams/YCNIQ64FUVHQNCD6QGR6ZS2XAY/ |access-date=18 October 2024 |work=NZ Woman's Weekly |date=18 November 2023}}</ref> He attended secondary school at St John's College, Hamilton, New Zealand.

A personal trainer and winner of Mr. New Zealand in 1999, Mitchell moved to Auckland in 2000 to pursue an acting career.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Daniels |first1=Jaxin |title=From Shortland Street to cultural quest: Ben Mitchell at M9 |url=https://www.teaonews.co.nz/2023/11/08/from-shortland-street-to-cultural-quest-ben-mitchell-at-m9/ |access-date=18 October 2024 |date=8 November 2023}}</ref> His first role was as a reporter on ''Shortland Street'' in 2000. This was followed by parts on shows including ''Power Rangers: Ninja Storm'' and ''Outrageous Fortune''.<ref name="TVNZ profile">{{cite web|url=http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/842323|title=Benjamin Mitchell profile - Official ''Shortland Street'' website|publisher=Television New Zealand|accessdate=11 September 2008}}</ref>

In 2006, Mitchell joined the cast of ''Shortland Street'' as young doctor TK Samuels. Described as one of ''Shortland Street'''s "most recognisable faces," Mitchell has gained "great popularity throughout New Zealand, especially with female viewers."<ref name="TVNZ profile"/>

In 2007 Mitchell starred alongside Bollywood actress Celina Jaitley in the film ''Love Has No Language'', a "big budget" New Zealand-Australian co-production released in 2008.<ref>Tuteja, Joginder. [https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/box-office-special-features/2007-30-screens-in-u-k/ "Celina signs International film." BollywoodHungama.com] 10 May 2007. Retrieved 11 September 2008.</ref> He also appeared in the independent New Zealand feature ''I'm Not Harry Jenson''.<ref name="TVNZ profile"/>

Mitchell speaks fluent Te Reo Māori, and lent his support to Māori Language Week campaigns in 2006 and 2008.<ref name="TVNZ profile"/>

Since 2023, Mitchell has worked in construction.<ref name="auto"></ref>

==Personal life== Mitchell has three children with partner Kate - daughters Sofia and Mila, and son, Nico. Kate was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer in 2026. <ref>{{cite news|url=http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/b/annahiggins/5208/in-the-gossip-mags|title=In the gossip mags|first=Anna|last=Higgins|date=9 March 2010|publisher=Yahoo!Xtra Entertainment|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20100312065635/http://nz.entertainment.yahoo.com/b/annahiggins/5208/in-the-gossip-mags|archivedate=12 March 2010|access-date=15 March 2010|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nowtolove.co.nz/celebrity/tv/ben-mitchells-special-bond-21050|title=Ben Mitchell's special bond: 'Girls rule my life!'|publisher=Woman's Day|date=15 May 2015|first=Ashleigh|last=McEnaney}}</ref>

In 2015 he was publicly shamed for parking in a disabled car parking space.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/celebrities/66923800/selfish-shortland-street-star-parks-in-disabled-space|title='Selfish' Shortland Street star parks in disabled space|publisher=Stuff |date=4 March 2015}}</ref>

==Filmography== *''Father'' (1990) *''Mr. Nice Guy'' (1997) *''Reporter'' (2000) *''Stingers'' (TV series 2002) *''Power Rangers Ninja Storm'' (TV series 2003) *''Outrageous Fortune'' (TV series 2005) *''An Aggressive Gift'' (short 2008) *''Love Has No Language'' (2008) *''The Shoe Box'' (short 2009) *''I'm Not Harry Jenson.'' (2009) *''Curry Munchers'' (2011) *''Shortland Street'' (TV series 2006–2023) *''The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug'' (2013) *''Pork Pie (film)'' (2017)

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://tvnz.co.nz/view/page/842323 Benjamin Mitchell profile - Official ''Shortland Street'' website] *{{IMDb name|id=0593147|name=Ben Mitchell }}<!-- Note: Some info in this IMDb profile is incorrect, this Benjamin Mitchell's info is combined with another Ben Mitchell. -->

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Benjamin}} Category:1979 births Category:Living people Category:New Zealand male Māori actors Category:New Zealand male television actors Category:Māori language revivalists Category:People educated at St John's College, Hamilton Category:People from Hamilton, New Zealand