Ben (full name Benjamin Maurice Silverstone) was born in the Primrose Hill area of Camden, London on 9th April 1979 (Note, this date is a correction from that previously stated on the site). His parents were Anthony and Beverly Silverstone, who sent him to the exclusive private St Paul’s School in Barnes, London. Ben’s breakthrough was via family friend, Mike Figgis who gave him a major role in The Browning Version (1994) as Taplow. His next motion picture was a minor appearance as the young Humbert Humbert in Adrian Lyne’s remake of Lolita (1997). Certainly the biggest role for Ben has been that of Steven Carter in Simon Shore’s directing debut, Get Real (1998). Although no box office smash, Get Real has attained cult status with its fans. Ben continued acting whilst at University in England, appearing in many stage productions at Cambridge. After gaining a First (top class) degree in English in June 2001, Ben has since left his acting career behind him and is a successful layer working in London.
Filmography:
| 1994 |
The Browning Version |
Taplow |
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Ben made his debut with director Mike Figgis, who was apparently a family friend. The role of Taplow was a reasonably major part for a debut, but Ben shone as you would expect. |
| 1997 |
Lolita |
Young Humbert |
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Although Ben’s appearance in Lolita was brief (Attitude described it as ‘blink-and-you’ll-miss-it’, it was rememberable). He plays the part of Young Humbert Humbert, who falls in love with a girl named Annabel. Ben has no dialogue in the film as his story is narrated by the older Humbert, Jeremy Irons. |
| 1998 |
Get Real |
Steven Carter |
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Ben’s biggest role, and the one most of us know him for – as Steven Carter in Simon Shore’s Get Real. Based on the stage play by Patrick Wilde, ‘What’s Wrong With Angry?’, Get Real deals with the issues of growing up gay in a heterosexual society. |
| 2007 |
Jump! |
Phillip Halsman |
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The story of real-life Jewish photographer Phillip Halsman who, was jailed in the late 20s after being wrongly conviced for killing his father. Ben plays Halsman, while Patrick Swayze plays his lawyer and Martine McCutcheon plays his sister. |
Stage Work:
| 1998 |
King Lear |
Edmund |
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Ben Silverstone as Edmund succeeded in establishing a real conspiratorial rapport with his audience. |
| 1999 |
The Whiteheaded Boy |
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According to a Cambridge critic, “the portrayals of women by Ben Silverstone held the first act together.” |
| 1999 |
The Duchess of Malfi |
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At Trinity College. Briefly mentioned in Cambridge’s Varsity Online but very little else. |
| 1999 |
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui |
Givola |
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Set amidst the economic turmoil of gangster controlled Chicago in the ’30s, the play was a direct and thinly veiled attack on German apathy towards the threat of Hitler’s rise to power and a warning to future generations. Ben played the part of Givola. |
| 1999 |
Near Miss |
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Unfortunately panned by the critics, “the play was pretentious and sadly unengaging, despite assured production and excellent performances from Ben Silverstone.” |
| 1999 – 2000 |
The Winter’s Tale |
Leontes /
a servant |
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Ben joined the ranks of The European Theatre Group, which takes Cambridge across Europe to play Shakespeare. Ben’s role was that of Leontes, the King of Sicilia. |
| 2001 |
The Age Of Consent |
Timmy |
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Ben took the lead in a new play at the Edinburgh Festival by Peter Morris. The role caused much controversy in the English tabloids due to its subject matter drawing parallels with the child-murderers of James Bulger. However, the reviews were very positive particularly of Ben’s portrail. |
| 2002 |
The Age Of Consent |
Timmy |
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Ben recreated his role as Timmy in an extended run London at the Bush Theatre, Shepard’s Bush. |
| 2002 |
The Lady’s Not For Burning |
Richard |
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Ben appeared in Chichester Festival Theatre in Christopher Fry’s classic twentieth century comedy. |
| 2002 |
The Tempest |
Ariel |
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Ben played Ariel in the UK Tour of Shakespear’s last play, opposite Richard Briers. |
| 2003 |
Electra |
Orestes |
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Ben was Orestes in a new production of Electra by Jean Giraudoux at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill. |
| 2004 |
My Boy Jack |
Jack Kipling |
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A UK tour about Rudyard Kipling and his son, Jack – played by Ben. |
| 2004 |
Man and Boy |
Basil Anthony |
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Ben had a major role as the son of a crooked global business tycoon. |
| 2005 |
Man and Boy |
Basil Anthony |
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Ben revived his role of Basil Anthony in a major west-end transfer which drew attention from the critics and had him shortlisted for a Times Theatre Award and a London Standard Theatre Award. |
Television Work:
| 2001/2 |
Shackleton |
Young Applicant |
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Ben made a brief apperance in the Kenneth Brannah epic production of Shackleton, aired on Channel 4 over New Year in the UK, and on A&E in April in the US. |
| 2003 |
Timewatch ‘Through Hell For Hitler’ |
Henry Metalmann |
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Ben took the lead role in a BBC 2 drama documenting the life of a German soldier, Henry Metalmann. |
| 2003 |
Doctors |
Joe Nyland |
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Ben had a guest role in the daytime BBC soap, Doctors |