Ben Feldman

Ben Feldman – Life, Career, and Memorable Quotes

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Learn about the life, acting career, and key quotes of Ben Feldman—American actor born May 27, 1980—best known for Mad Men, Superstore, Silicon Valley, and more.

Introduction

Ben Feldman is an American actor whose work spans television, film, and stage. Born May 27, 1980, he has become widely recognized for roles such as Michael Ginsberg in Mad Men, Jonah Simms on Superstore, and Ron LaFlamme in Silicon Valley.

His appeal lies in combining relatable, often understated presence with depth and nuance—he’s able to elicit humor, pathos, or tension from roles across genres. In this article, we explore his origins, major turning points, and some of his own reflections in his quotes.

Early Life and Family

Benjamin Feldman was born in Washington, D.C.

His mother, Marcia Muir Mitchell, is a writer; his father, Robert “Bob” Feldman, ran an advertising agency.

He has a sister, Morgan Leiter, who works in the fashion industry.

From a young age, Feldman was involved in theater: at around six years old, he first participated in a musical production (the musical Annie) under the encouragement of a camp counselor.

He attended Winston Churchill High School in Potomac, Maryland, graduating in the class of 1998. Ithaca College, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in acting.

Career and Achievements

Early Career & Broadway

After graduating, Feldman moved to New York City to begin his acting career. The Graduate, where he worked alongside Alicia Silverstone and Kathleen Turner.

Film & Television Breakthrough

His feature film debut came in 2005 with The Perfect Man, co-starring Hilary Duff, Chris Noth, and Heather Locklear. When Do We Eat?.

His television work includes:

• Living with Fran (2005–2006) as Josh Reeves.

• Drop Dead Diva (2009–2011) as Fred, a guardian angel role.

• Mad Men (2012–2014) as Michael Ginsberg, for which he earned a Primetime Emmy nomination.

• Silicon Valley (2014–2019) as Ron LaFlamme.

• Superstore (2015–2021) as Jonah Simms (also working as a producer in later seasons).

• Since 2021, he has taken on voice acting: Tylor Tuskmon in Monsters at Work.

• In more recent years, he joined the cast of Mayfair Witches (season 2) playing Sam “Lark” Larkin.

Throughout his career, Feldman has balanced comedic and dramatic roles, showing range and steady growth.

Other Ventures & Public Activities

Outside of acting, Feldman is co-owner of a wine label called Angelica Cellars.

He is active in philanthropic messaging. In interviews, he’s mentioned that his father told him early in his career:

“If you’re going to have a megaphone, you’re going to need to use it to do some kind of good.”

This reflects a belief in using public influence responsibly.

Historical & Industry Context

Ben Feldman’s career is emblematic of several trends in modern television and entertainment:

• The shift from network-dominated TV to a more fragmented landscape allows actors to cross genres (drama, comedy, streaming, voice work).

• His movement into producing roles (on Superstore) mirrors a trend where actors take more creative control over projects.

• His versatility (stage, screen, voice) reflects the modern expectation that actors adapt across media formats.

• His career also spans the era where prestige dramas (Mad Men) and workplace comedies (Superstore) coexisted and actors could establish multifaceted brands.

Personality and Talents

Feldman is often described (in interviews and through his roles) as affable, grounded, quietly funny, and perceptive. He tends not to play over-the-top characters; instead, his strength lies in bringing authenticity to roles that feel close to “everyman” territory.

He has spoken about his approach to acting:

• He notes that auditioning for plays (in New York) makes him more nervous and exposed than TV auditions, reflecting a deep respect for theater craft.

• He has self-deprecating humor: “I’m just the least funny person in a room full of funny people,” referencing how in comedic environments he sees himself as modest.

• He’s also expressed discomfort with karaoke, saying he hates it, though many friends love it.

Famous Quotes of Ben Feldman

Here are some insightful and reflective quotes attributed to him:

• “Doing something costs something. Doing nothing costs something.”

• “My first job ever was at Baskin-Robbins when I was 14, which is probably the closest I’ll ever come to having a corporate job like the one I play on TV …”

• “My father’s Jewish, so my world is Jewish whenever I go home.”

• “I despise — I hate — I’m terrified of karaoke, and I wish I wasn’t because everybody I know who’s awesome loves it.”

• “When you audition for shows in Hollywood, you go in, you do your scene… Whereas when you go to New York and you audition for plays, you walk out sweaty and intimidated and nervous and doubting yourself as an actor.”

• “I never got on the ‘Stranger Things’ train … I don’t like sci-fi/fantasy.”

These quotes show his personality—humble, candid, and attuned to the challenges of his craft.

Lessons from Ben Feldman

1. Be patient and versatile
   Feldman’s career did not skyrocket overnight; he worked in stage, smaller TV parts, then progressed to leading roles.

2. Take ownership
   Moving into producing and diversifying into voice acting and stage shows how to expand one’s creative footprint.

3. Use your platform thoughtfully
   His belief in using influence for good suggests responsibility in public life.

4. Embrace humility
   He routinely expresses modesty about his comedic talents and the uncertainties of performance.

5. Respect all forms of acting
   His distinction between auditioning for stage vs. screen illustrates the different demands and depth of each medium.

Conclusion

Ben Feldman may not always headline blockbuster films, but his steady, authentic presence and broad genre range make him a respected figure in contemporary acting. From theater roots to television prominence to voice roles, he navigated a career with adaptability, humility, and commitment to craft.

His reflections and quotes show a grounded artist aware of both the challenges and joys of performance. For anyone interested in acting careers in the 21st century, his path offers lessons in persistence, balance, and purpose.