Early Life and Education

Ben Shenkman was born in New York City. His father worked at a consulting firm, while his mother was an associate at a law firm. He has one sister, who is married to British publisher Jamie Byng. Shenkman attended Brown University and later earned a Master of Fine Arts from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 1993.

Career Beginnings and Film Work

Shenkman began his acting career with a small role in Robert Redford’s 1994 film Quiz Show. He subsequently appeared in a number of films, including The Siege, Eraser, Jesus' Son, Chasing Sleep, and Requiem for a Dream. One of his most notable performances came in 2003 with the HBO miniseries adaptation of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, where he played Louis Ironson. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

His other film credits include studio releases such as Must Love Dogs and Then She Found Me. Recent films featuring Shenkman include Breathe In and Concussion.

Television Career

Shenkman’s television career officially began in the early 1990s with guest appearances in series like Law & Order. In 2008, he landed a role in the legal drama Canterbury’s Law. He later guest-starred in shows including Grey’s Anatomy, Drop Dead Diva, Lights Out, and Burn Notice.

In 2012, Shenkman joined the cast of Royal Pains as Dr. Jeremiah Sacani, a role that brought him widespread recognition. His later television credits include recurring or guest roles in The Paul Reiser Show, Stella, Love Monkey, Wainy Days, and Ed. More recently, he has appeared in popular series such as Billions, The Night Of, and Made in Jersey.