Ben Schwartz

Ben Schwartz – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life, career, and creative voice of Ben Schwartz—actor, comedian, voice artist. Learn about his major works, influences, and quotes that reveal his approach to art and life.

Introduction

Benjamin Joseph Schwartz (born September 15, 1981) is an American actor, comedian, writer, and voice artist whose energetic presence and improvisational flair have made him a standout in television, film, and animation. He is known for memorable roles in Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, Space Force, The Afterparty, and voice work in franchises like Sonic the Hedgehog and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. His career blends humor, versatility, and creative risk.

Early Life and Family

Ben Schwartz was born on September 15, 1981 in The Bronx, New York City.
He grew up in a Jewish family; his father worked as a social worker before entering real estate, and his mother was a music teacher at a public elementary school in Riverdale. He also has a sister named Marni.

When Schwartz was about eleven, his family moved to Edgemont, New York in Westchester County.
At Edgemont Junior-Senior High School, he participated in basketball and chorus during his youth.

He went on to attend Union College, graduating in 2003 with a double major in psychology and anthropology.

Youth and Education

From a young age, Schwartz showed interests in performance, comedy, and creative expression. His involvement in chorus and theater in high school helped sharpen his stage instincts.

Though he did not attend a formal acting school, Schwartz cultivated his craft through improv, sketch comedy, and writing. He became associated with the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) Theatre, which served as an important training ground and creative community.

He was also a member of the improv group Hot Sauce, along with Adam Pally and Gil Ozeri, performing regularly at UCB.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & Early Work

Schwartz’s early career was intertwined with digital media and web comedy. He appeared in various CollegeHumor sketches and web series such as Jake and Amir, which enhanced his visibility in online comedic circles.

He also contributed as a writer to The Late Show with David Letterman and Saturday Night Live (Weekend Update) in freelance capacity.

One of his early television acting roles was Bill Hoyt in the short-lived NBC spy drama Undercovers in 2010.

Breakthrough & Notable Roles

He gained wider recognition for his recurring role as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on Parks and Recreation. The character’s manic, quirky energy became a fan favorite.

Schwartz starred as Clyde Oberholt in House of Lies (Showtime), portraying an ambitious, insecure consultant with comedic and dramatic dimensions.

In more recent years, he has held major roles in:

• Space Force (Netflix) as F. Tony Scarapiducci

• The Afterparty (Apple TV+) as Yasper E. Lennov (season 1 main)

He also maintains an active presence in voice acting. Some of his voice credits include:

• Dewey Duck in DuckTales

• Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

• Sonic the Hedgehog (voice and motion capture in Sonic the Hedgehog films)

• Randy Cunningham in Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja

He also served as a voice consultant for BB-8 in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a behind-the-scenes role shaping the droid’s vocal personality.

Honors & Creative Output

• Schwartz won a 2009 Emmy Award (Outstanding Original Music & Lyrics) for co-writing the opening number for Hugh Jackman in the 81st Academy Awards.

• He has co-written several books, including humorous ones often paired with images of baby animals.

• He sold scripts and contributed to various creative projects in film and television development.

Historical Context & Milestones

• Schwartz’s rise came during a period when digital platforms and web comedy expanded opportunities for performers outside traditional Hollywood routes.

• His mix of improv, sketch, voice work, and on-screen roles reflects the modern multi-hyphenate performer model, where actors often cross mediums.

• His role in shaping BB-8’s voice illustrates how modern actors contribute not just performance but design and character creation in major franchises.

Legacy and Influence

Ben Schwartz represents a generation of performers who aren’t limited by genre: comedy, dramatic roles, voice acting, writing, and consulting. His success encourages upcoming artists to explore multiple lanes rather than stick to one identity.

He also stands as a figure who brought improvisation and spontaneity into mainstream roles, blending cinematic acting with comedic instincts.

Personality and Style

Schwartz is known for:

• Improv agility: He often improvises lines, energy, and reactions in auditions or scenes.

• Willingness to take risks: He has talked in interviews about embracing failure and uncertainty in creative work.

• Self-deprecating humor: Many of his public remarks mix confidence with humility and a recognition of the absurdities of performance life.

• Collaborative spirit: He often credits improv and comedy as environments where making others look good is part of the craft.

In interviews, he’s noted that in voice acting he must “express all my emotions through words and performance”, since physical nuance is limited.

Famous Quotes of Ben Schwartz

Here are several notable quotes by Ben Schwartz reflecting his humor, perspective, and philosophy:

“When you’re acting on TV, you want to keep it real. Just being quick on your feet helps in everyday life.”
“I love doing comedy. One of my favorite things in the world is to do Parks and Recreation; a big fun character.”
“It’s funny: I put money into short films, and I put really good actors in it, and I write some stuff that’s really funny, and I’ll get, like, a million views. But to the right of me, there will be a video of a kitten that falls into a toilet bowl, and it’s three seconds long, and it will get 25 million views.”
“I never went to acting school, so improv was my training. Just being quick on your feet helps in everyday life.”
“I hope I don’t get driven to the point where, to be honest, I’m never satisfied. I hope there’s some part of me that can be content.”
“The perfect thing for me is to be on something I love, where I’m doing it and have enough money not to be poor, and I’m allowed to go on vacation.”
“A lot of the time, you’re supposed to play to the top of your intelligence, as truthful as possible. But when you’re on stage making people laugh, you’re still acting. I think it helped me a bunch to go on stage two or three times a week.”

These quotations show his awareness of craft, his humor about the entertainment life, and his internal balancing of ambition and contentment.

Lessons from Ben Schwartz

1. Versatility is a strength
   Don’t limit yourself to a single medium. Schwartz’s ability to move between on-screen roles, voice acting, writing, and improv gives him resilience in a shifting industry.

2. Improve by doing, not waiting
   Without formal acting school, he honed his talent through improv, live performance, and writing. Immersive practice over formal credentials.

3. Embrace failure and uncertainty
   His acknowledgment of fear, risk, and imperfection is part of what makes his work feel human and accessible.

4. Collaboration elevates art
   His improv roots teach that making others look good strengthens scenes and creative relationships.

5. Stay playful amid seriousness
   Even while working in big franchises and serious roles, Schwartz retains comedic spirit and an ability to surprise.

Conclusion

Ben Schwartz’s career is a testament to curiosity, improvisation, and creative breadth. From online sketches to voice roles in major film franchises, from dramatic comedy to experimental work, he continues pushing boundaries while staying grounded in his comedic identity. His journey encourages artists to blend genres, embrace risk, and keep evolving.