H. John Benjamin

Actor and comedian Jon Benjamin is best known for his many supporting roles in television and film, including his numerous voice-acting appearances on shows such as Comedy Central's Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist, FX's Archer, and Cartoon Network's Home Movies. Born Harry Jon Benjamin in 1966 in Worcester, Massachusetts, he graduated from Worcester Academy in 1984. After a period studying graduate-level history at Northwestern, Benjamin relocated to Boston to pursue a career in standup comedy. During his seven years in Boston, Benjamin developed an ensemble-based approach to comedy, first forming a standup duo with comedian Sam Seder and later joining actor/comedian David Cross' sketch troupe Cross Comedy. It was also during this time that he met writer/comedian Jonathan Katz, who cast him as the son of titular character on the animated series Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist. From there, he garnered more voice-acting roles, appearing as the voice of a can of vegetables in Wet Hot American Summer, and on such shows such as Space Ghost Coast to Coast, Aqua Teen Hunger Force, and Home Movies. He also nabbed on-camera roles on shows such as Upright Citizens Brigade and Sex and the City, as well as small roles in films including Next Stop Wonderland, Happy Accidents, Not Another Teen Movie, and 22 Jump Street. Since 2009, he has starred as Sterling Archer in FX's spy-themed animated series Archer, and in 2015, Benjamin, who is not schooled in jazz and does not play piano, released the ersatz jazz piano trio album Well, I Should Have. ~ Matt Collar