{{Short description|American actor}} {{Infobox person | name = Michael Benjamin Washington | image = | alt = | caption = | birth_date = <!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> | birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S. | death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} or {{Death-date and age|death date†|birth date†}} --> | death_place = | other_names = | occupation = Actor | years_active = 2004–present | known_for = }} '''Michael Benjamin Washington''' <!-- Valid citation required for date of birth for BLP. (WP:BLPPRIVACY) --> is an American actor with screen roles spanning ''American Auto'', ''100 Questions'', and ''Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=Camille |date=2020-09-08 |title=10 Things You Didn't Know about Michael Benjamin Washington |url=https://tvovermind.com/michael-benjamin-washington/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=TVOvermind |language=en-US}}</ref> His career began on Broadway, first appearing in ''Mamma Mia!'' as part of the musical's original cast.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Benjamin Washington Theatre Credits, News, Bio and Photos |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Michael-Benjamin-Washington/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.broadwayworld.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Benjamin Washington Biography {{!}} Broadway Buzz {{!}} Broadway.com |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/michael-benjamin-washington/profile/ |access-date=2022-04-18 |website=www.broadway.com}}</ref>
== Early and personal life == Washington was born in Dallas, Texas.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} He is a YoungArts alumnus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Our History {{!}} 40 years for artists |url=https://youngarts.org/history/#decade-1990s |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=YoungArts |language=en-US}}</ref> In 1997, he was named a Presidential Scholar of the Arts as part of the 1997 U.S Presidential Scholars Program.<ref>{{Cite web |title=MICHAEL BENJAMIN WASHINGTON'S “BLUEPRINTS TO FREEDOM”: PASSION WITH PURPOSE - The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint |url=https://sdvoice.info/michael-benjamin-washingtons-blueprints-to-freedom-passion-with-purpose/ |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=sdvoice.info}}</ref> Afterwards, he received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from New York University Tisch School of the Arts, with a Journalism minor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Michael Benjamin Washington on Playing Boys in the Band's Only Black Character |url=https://www.advocate.com/theater/2018/5/29/michael-benjamin-washington-playing-boys-bands-only-black-character |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=www.advocate.com |language=en}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== Stage === Washington has several Broadway credits, beginning with the jukebox musical ''Mamma Mia!'' in 2001. He was cast in the 2002 ''Funny Girl'' benefit concert, followed by the 2004 revival of ''La Cage aux Folles''.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Viagas |first1=Robert |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=x-rAxSOTQJwC&dq=Michael+Benjamin+Washington&pg=PA185 |title=The Playbill Broadway Yearbook |last2=Asch |first2=Amy |date=2005 |publisher=Playbill |isbn=978-1-55783-682-3 |language=en}}</ref> Washington later took dramatic roles in plays, with the 2018 revival of ''The Boys in the Band'' and the 2026 revival of ''Death of a Salesman''.
=== Film === {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2010 |''Love & Other Drugs'' |Richard | |- |2020 |''The Boys in the Band'' |Bernard | |}
=== Television === {| class="wikitable sortable" !Year !Title !Role !Notes |- |2004 |''The Jury'' |Myles |Episode: "Bangers" |- |2005 |''Hope & Faith'' |Angst-Ridden Performer |Episode: "Hope in the Middle" |- |2009 |''Law & Order'' |George Lafferty |Episode: "Bailout" |- |2009–10 |''30 Rock'' |Donald |2 episodes |- |2010 |''10 Things I Hate About You'' |Winston the Waiter |Episode: "Great Expectations" |- |2010 |''Glee'' |Tracy Pendergrass |Episode: "Home" |- |2010 |''100 Questions'' |Andrew |6 episodes |- |2010 |''Open Books'' |Ray |Television film |- |2013 |''Wendell & Vinnie'' |Deke |Episode: "Baseball and Bad Dates" |- |2014 |''Save the Date'' |Wedding Planner |Television film |- |2017 |''Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt'' |Ruben |3 episodes |- |2020 |''Ratched'' |Trevor Briggs |3 episodes |- |2021–23 |''American Auto'' |Cyrus Knight |23 episodes |- |2023 |''Until the Wedding'' |Sam |Pilot |- |2023 |''We Baby Bears'' |Caterpillar (voice) |Episode: "Bug City Frame Up" |- |2025 |''Godfather of Harlem'' |James Baldwin |season 4 |}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb name}} * {{IBDB name}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Washington, Michael Benjamin}} Category:Living people Category:American male film actors Category:American male television actors Category:Male actors from Texas Category:Male actors from Dallas Category:21st-century African-American male actors Category:21st-century American male actors Category:Year of birth missing (living people)
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