Biography

Benjamin Ortiz was born in Morelia to architect parents, but was raised in Mexico City since he was 2 months old. Growing up, he always showed interest in the arts - especially in film and TV - but it wasn't until middle school when he took his first drama class and decided he wanted to work in the entertainment industry. Overtime, he spent 3 years in acting workshops at CasAzul (Artes Escénicas Argos), worked in various plays, and landed his first role in the independent feature "Los Herederos" directed by Jorge Hernandez Aldana.

Given his immersion and love for the US entertainment industry, he set off to Chicago - after graduating high school - to pursue a degree in acting and build his professional career in the US. He graduated with high distinction (Summa Cum Laude) and got his Bachelor of Arts in Acting with a Voiceover minor from Columbia College Chicago. During his time at Columbia, he worked on 12 shorts, 4 plays, and got his first role in the US independent film industry with "Bleed American" directed by T.A. Manchester. Outside of college - during his first semester of his junior year, and a couple months after Bleed American - Benjamin got his first leading role in the feature film "The Timemaker" directed by Jessica Oberhausen.

In his last semester at Columbia, Benjamin Ortiz traveled to LA for a 2-week program as part of his college degree. During that program, he met with top industry professionals including: director and acting coach Anthony Meindl, head of TNT casting Mike Page, agent Laura Walsh (Central Artists), and manager Laina Cohn (Cohn/Torgan Management).

Benjamin's work ethic, amiable personality, passion, talent, and persistence have been key in opening him opportunities in the industry such as signing with Laina Cohn for management representation. Soon after graduating college, he moved from Chicago to LA in pursuit of his professional career. A couple of months after moving to LA, Benjamin landed his first Hollywood role in the film "Dog" starring and co-directed by Channing Tatum.

After circumstances out of his control, Ben moved back home to Mexico City, where he continues to work on commercials, TV series, independent films, and short films, in hopes to keep building a strong resume and expanding his career that will allow him to go back to Hollywood and keep pursuing his dreams.
- IMDb mini biography by: Benjamin Ortiz