Michael Emerson Biography (Ben)

'Lost' Role:

Benjamin Linus, one of the Others. Before it was known that he was an Other, he went by the name Henry Gale.

Birth:

September 7, 1954 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Early Career:

While pursuing acting he worked in retail and as a freelance illustrator for several publications, including The Boston Globe and The New York Times. Later he acted in local productions and worked as a teacher and director.

Education:

Majored in Theater at Drake University, then enrolled in the Alabama Shakespeare Festival's University of Alabama.

Family:

He has been married to his second wife, Carrie Preston, since 1998.

Of Note:

Michael is mostly a stage actor and worries about the power of TV. He said that more people saw him on The Practice than will ever see him in all the stage plays he'll ever do. He's not sure whether to be humbled or troubled by that fact.

He wasn't cast on Lost until the second season. Previous to that, he'd watched most of the episodes because his wife is a Lostaholic. He was cast for three episodes, but the producers liked him so much, they brought him back. By season three he was a main character.

Michael Emerson Interviews:

An Interview with Michael Emerson (Ben Linus/Fake Henry Gale, Lost)

Website:

Fan Site - Unofficial Website of Michael Emerson

Previous Roles:

• Ready? OK! (2008/I) Charlie New
• Jumping Off Bridges: (2006) Frank Nelson
• The Legend of Zorro: (2005) Harrigan
• "The Inside" (2005/TV Episode) Marty Manning
• 29th and Gay: (2005) Gorilla Man
• Straight-Jacket: (2004) Victor
• "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" (2004/TV Episode) Allan Shaye
• Saw: (2004) Zep Hindle
• "Whoopi" (2003/TV Episode) F. Thomas Erickson
• "Skin" (2003/TV Episode) Scarpelli
• "Without a Trace" (2003/TV Episode) Stuart Wesmar
• "The X Files"(2002/TV Episode) Oliver Martin
• Unfaithful: (2002) Josh
• "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" (2002/TV Episode) Gerald "Gerry" Rankin
• The Laramie Project: (2002) Reverend
• "The Education of Max Bickford" (2001/TV Episode)
• "The Practice" (2000-2001/TV Episode) William Hinks
• "The District" (2000/TV Episode)

Early Roles: For Love of the Game, Playing by Heart, Grace & Glorie, The Impostors, The Journey, Orpheus Descending