Ben Vereen

Biography

Ben Vereen's unique ability to blend rare talent with a strong sense of social consciousness has enabled him to take on impressive musical, comedic and dramatic roles with finesse and excellence. A year after suffering a near-fatal accident, Vereen made his triumphant return to Broadway in 1993 as 'The Chimney Man' in the musical "Jelly's Last Jam." Says Clive Barnes of the New York Post, "Ben Vereen -- unquestionably one of the finest performances seen on Broadway." After appearing on Broadway in "Sweet Charity," "Hair," and "Jesus Christ Superstar," Vereen channeled his intensity into a lead performance in the long-running hit, "Pippin." For this portrayal he won the prestigious Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award. Vereen also starred in the Broadway musical "Grind" and in the San Francisco production of "I'm Not Rappaport," Herb Gardner's poignant, Tony Award-winning comedy about aging in America. Most recently, Vereen graced the Broadway stage starring as 'The Ghost of Christmas Present' in the Madison Square Garden production of "A Christmas Carol" to outstanding reviews. Live audiences remain Ben Vereen's first love. His exhilarating one-man show earned him the highest honors awarded by the American Guild of Variety Artists: "Entertainer of the Year," "Rising Star," and "Song and Dance Star." He is the first person to win three of these AGVA awards in one year. He continues to headline on showroom stages of Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Lake Tahoe, and throughout the United States as well as in Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean Islands. Vereen has recently appeared in guest spots on "Touched by an Angel" and "Second Noah," has co-starred on "The Nanny," "New York Undercover," "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air," and "Star Trek - The Next Generation." In 1992, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his part in the CBS mini-series, "Intruders: They Are Among Us." Vereen also had a recurring role on the syndicated television series "Silk Stalkings," as well as his own television series, "Tenspeed and Brownshoe," created by Stephen J. Cannell, followed by recurring roles on "J.J. Starbuck," and "Booker." Previously, he had a recurring role as 'Uncle Phillip' on the ABC-TV hit series, "Webster." His role in the television docudrama "Louis Armstrong - Chicago Style" led to several widely acclaimed roles, including the unforgettable 'Chicken George' in the Emmy Award-winning mini-series "Roots." Vereen followed these achievements with his own network special, "Ben Vereen: His Roots," which won seven Emmy Awards. He also appeared in "The Jesse Owens Story," and the CBS mini-series, "Ellis Island," for which he received a Golden Globe nomination. On film, Vereen portrayed the quintessential entertainer in "All That Jazz." In "Funny Lady," the tender sequel to "Funny Girl," Ben performed a routine as the vaudeville character, 'Burt Robins.' An integral part of Vereen's career is the lecture circuit, where he has become one of the nation's most in demand speakers. Vereen addresses audiences of all ages, speaking a corporate functions, universities and high schools, churches, conventions, and community gatherings around the country. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts and education, black history, motivation and the importance of continuing education. Vereen has also been widely honored for his humanitarian activities. He was awarded the prestigious Victory Award in 1990, received the Eleanor Roosevelt Humanitarian Award in 1983, received Israel's Humanitarian Award in 1978, and for two consecutive years - 1978 and 1979 - the NAACP handed Vereen it's prestigious Image Award. Ben has received Honorary Doctorates from Boston's Emerson College, Brooklyn's St. Francis College, and most recently, from Chicago's prestigious Columbia College. In addition, Vereen has served as chairman of several renowned organizations including The American Heart Association and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Association. In 1991, Vereen spearheaded his own organization, Celebrities for A Drug Free America, which raised more than $300,000 for drug rehabilitation centers, educational programs, and inner city community-based projects.