Ben Schwartz Biography: Wife, Age, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Sonic, Movies & TV Shows, Instagram

Benjamin Joseph Schwartz is famously known as Ben Schwartz is an American actor, comedian, writer, director, and producer whose versatile talents have made him a dynamic presence in comedy and entertainment.

Best known for his role as the flamboyant Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, he has also gained acclaim for voicing Sonic the Hedgehog in the blockbuster film series, Dewey Duck in DuckTales (2017–2021), and Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Profile

• Full Name: Benjamin Joseph Schwartz
• Stage Name: Ben Schwartz
• Born: September 15, 1981
• Age: 43 years old
• Birthplace: The Bronx, New York City, USA
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor, Comedian, Writer, Director, Producer
• Height: 6 feet (1.83 m)
• Parents: Mr. Schwartz (father), Mrs. Schwartz
• Siblings: Marni Schwartz
• Spouse: Gina Rodriguez
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $3 million USD

Early Life and Education

Benjamin Joseph Schwartz was born on September 15, 1981, in The Bronx, New York City, to a Jewish family of Ashkenazi descent.

His father, a former social worker who later transitioned to real estate, and his mother, a music teacher at P.S. 24 in Riverdale, raised Ben and his sister, Marni, in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx.

He attended Edgemont Junior-Senior High School, graduating in 1999, where he played basketball and sang in the chorus, nurturing his performance skills.

Schwartz went on to Union College in Schenectady, New York, earning a double major in psychology and anthropology in 2003.

His early passion for comedy led him to intern and take classes at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre (UCBT) in New York, where he honed his improvisational and sketch comedy skills.

Career

Ben Schwartz’s career began with improv and sketch comedy at UCBT, where he performed with the group “Hot Sauce” alongside Adam Pally and Gil Ozeri.

He started as a freelance writer for Saturday Night Live’s Weekend Update and Late Show with David Letterman monologues, and worked as a page for the latter.

His early TV appearances included skits on Late Night with Conan O’Brien (2006) and roles in Starveillance (2007) and Bronx World Travelers (2007–2008), which he also produced and directed.

His breakthrough came in 2010 as Jean-Ralphio Saperstein on Parks and Recreation (2010–2015, 2020), a role created for him by co-creator Michael Schur, where his improvisational chemistry with Jenny Slate (as Mona-Lisa Saperstein) became iconic.

He starred as Clyde Oberholt in Showtime’s House of Lies (2012–2016) and voiced Randy Cunningham in Disney’s Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (2012–2015).

Schwartz’s film career includes roles in Peep World (2010), The Other Guys (2010), This Is Where I Leave You (2014), and The Walk (2015).

He voiced Skidmark in Turbo (2013), Banarnar in The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019), and Leonardo in Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022).

His most prominent role is voicing Sonic the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog (2020), Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022), Sonic Drone Home (2022), A Very Sonic Christmas (2024), and Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024), earning widespread praise.

He starred in Netflix’s Space Force (2020–2022) as F. Tony Scarapiducci and led The Afterparty (2022–2023) on Apple TV+.

Schwartz co-created and starred in the improv special Middleditch and Schwartz (2020) with Thomas Middleditch.

He has written four humor books with Amanda McCall and Laura Moses, and sold original pitches to Universal Studios and Paramount Pictures, including a remake of Soapdish retitled El Fuego Caliente.

In 2025, he continues to tour with “Ben Schwartz & Friends” improv shows, including a performance at MGM National Harbor on September 6.

Awards and Nominations

• 2009: Primetime Emmy Award – Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for 81st Academy Awards (Won)
• 2011: INOCA TV Award – Best Guest Actor in a Drama or Comedy Series (Parks and Recreation) (Nominated)
• 2015: Gold Derby TV Award – Comedy Guest Actor (Parks and Recreation) (Nominated)
• 2017: Primetime Emmy Award – Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (The Earliest Show) (Nominated)
• 2018: BTVA Television Voice Acting Award – Best Vocal Ensemble (DuckTales) (Nominated)
• 2018: BTVA People’s Choice Voice Acting Award – Best Vocal Ensemble (DuckTales) (Won)
• 2019: Gold Derby TV Award – Comedy Guest Actor of the Decade (Parks and Recreation) (Won)
• 2020: IFJA Award – Best Vocal/Motion Capture Performance (Sonic the Hedgehog) (Nominated)
• 2021: CCA Super Award – Best Actor in a Superhero Movie (Sonic the Hedgehog) (Nominated)
• 2021: HCA Award – Best Visual Effects or Animated Performance (Sonic the Hedgehog) (Won)
• 2022: HCA Award – Best Supporting Actor in a Streaming Series, Comedy (The Afterparty) (Nominated)
• 2023: GMS Award – Best Song Written and/or Recorded for Television (Nominated)
• 2023: Primetime Emmy Award – Outstanding Actor in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (Nominated)
• 2025: Blimp Award – Favorite Voice from an Animated Movie (Male) (Sonic the Hedgehog 3) (Nominated)

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @rejectedjokes
• Facebook Handle: @rejectedjokes
• Twitter Handle: @rejectedjokes
• YouTube Channel: Ben Schwartz
• TikTok Handle: @rejectedjokes

Personal Life

Ben Schwartz, 43 years old, is single and has no spouse or children. He dated actress Gina Rodriguez, known for Jane the Virgin, in 2016, but they parted ways in 2017.

He maintains a private personal life, focusing on his career and engaging with fans through social media, where he has over 1.3 Instagram followers and 1.2 million Twitter followers.

Schwartz resides primarily in Los Angeles, California, and enjoys performing improv, traveling for comedy tours, and promoting his projects.

His Jewish heritage influences his comedic perspective, and he has spoken about overcoming stereotypes about his Bronx upbringing.

Filmography

Films:

• New York City Serenade (2007) – Russ
• Everybody’s Fine (2009) – Writer
• Peep World (2010) – Nathan Meyerwitz
• The Other Guys (2010) – Beaman’s Assistant
• Runner Runner (2013) – Craig
• Coffee Town (2013) – Gino
• This Is Where I Leave You (2014) – Rabbi Charles “Boner” Grodner
• The Walk (2015) – Albert
• Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) – BB-8/Stormtrooper (voice, cameo)
• The Intervention (2016) – Jack
• Happy Anniversary (2018) – Sam
• Night School (2018) – Marvin
• The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part (2019) – Banarnar (voice)
• Standing Up, Falling Down (2019) – Scott
• Sonic the Hedgehog (2020) – Sonic the Hedgehog (voice, motion capture)
• Flora & Ulysses (2021) – George Buckman
• Rumble (2021) – Jimothy Brett-Chadley III (voice)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 2 (2022) – Sonic the Hedgehog (voice, motion capture)
• Sonic Drone Home (2022) – Sonic the Hedgehog (voice, short film)
• Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie (2022) – Leo, Janitor Man (voice)
• DC League of Super-Pets (2022) – Mark (voice)
• Renfield (2023) – Teddy Lobo
• A Very Sonic Christmas (2024) – Sonic the Hedgehog (voice, short film)
• Sonic the Hedgehog 3 (2024) – Sonic the Hedgehog (voice, motion capture)

Television:

• Late Night with Conan O’Brien (2006) – Various (1 episode)
• Starveillance (2007) – Glenn (voice, 3 episodes)
• Bronx World Travelers (2007–2008) – Ben (5 episodes, also producer/director)
• Mayne Street (2008–2009) – Evan Mintz (10 episodes)
• Accidentally on Purpose (2009) – Max Silver (1 episode)
• Undercovers (2010–2012) – Bill Hoyt (main cast, 13 episodes)
• Parks and Recreation (2010–2015, 2020) – Jean-Ralphio Saperstein (22 episodes)
• Funny or Die Presents (2010) – Ben (segment: “Terrible Decisions”)
• Jake and Amir (2009–2015) – Various (web series)
• Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja (2012–2015) – Randy Cunningham/Ninja (voice, 50 episodes)
• House of Lies (2012–2016) – Clyde Oberholt (main cast, 58 episodes)
• Arrested Development (2013) – John Beard Jr. (1 episode)
• Comedy Bang! Bang! (2013–2016) – Rodney Wayber (4 episodes, “Solo Bolo” series)
• Bob’s Burgers (2013–2020) – Josh/Rick (voice, 4 episodes)
• Robot Chicken (2013–2016) – Various (voice, 3 episodes)
• The Simpsons (2015) – Clerk (voice, 1 episode)
• BoJack Horseman (2015–2019) – Rutabaga Rabitowitz (voice, 8 episodes)
• DuckTales (2017–2021) – Dewey Duck (voice, 69 episodes)
• Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2018–2020) – Leo (voice, 39 episodes)
• Modern Family (2018–2019) – Nick (3 episodes)
• Middleditch and Schwartz (2020) – Various (main cast, creator, 3 episodes)
• Space Force (2020–2022) – F. Tony Scarapiducci (main cast)
• The Afterparty (2022–2023) – Yasper (main cast Season 1, guest Season 2)
• Star Wars: The Bad Batch (2023) – TAY-0 (voice, 1 episode)

Net Worth

Ben Schwartz, an American actor, comedian, and producer, has an estimated net worth of $3 million USD.

His wealth is derived from his extensive work in television (Parks and Recreation, House of Lies, Space Force), films (Sonic the Hedgehog series, which grossed over $317 million for the first film), and voice acting (DuckTales, Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).