bio

Born and raised in tiny Buhler, Kansas (pop. 1,316), Ben Kliewer’s artistic journey began at age five on makeshift stages, fashioned from dining room chairs in his family’s living room, and eventually led to starring roles in plays and musicals in elementary through high school. Ben’s taste for the dramatic flair was evident from the start.

Continuing his artistic pursuits at Bethel College (KS) on a vocal music scholarship, Ben thrived both in the Concert Choir (touring internationally) and on the stage. Ben snagged leads in plays, musicals and even operas with roles such as Mephistopheles in Gounod’s Faust. His passion for acting inspired him to take a semester off of college and attend the New York Film Academy (in Los Angeles) where he immersed himself in the Acting for Film program.

Returning to Kansas, (and taking the opportunity to walk-on to the Bethel football team for one season) Ben graduating from Bethel with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre and Journalism, and moved to Wichita, Kansas (pop. 396,192) with the goal of saving up enough to move back to LA and pursue his dream.

Tragedy struck in April 2009 when Ben lost his father to pancreatic cancer. Eight months later, the townhome that Ben lived in with three roommates was destroyed in a fire. Fortunately, nobody was hurt.

Believing that it was time to start anew, Ben moved to Los Angeles (pop. 3,898,747) in 2010. Initially diving into student filmmaking projects across Southern California, Ben quickly built a portfolio that opened doors to professional opportunities and eventual membership in SAG-AFTRA in 2012.

Pursuing his craft, Ben trained at The Upright Citizens Brigade completing the improv program before attending and graduating from The Second City Conservatory, co-writing and performing in the sketch comedy show No Fly List.

From 2012 to 2019 Ben’s career was on a steady climb as he began performing stand-up, appearing on comedy stages across Los Angeles, headlining television commercial campaigns for Chrysler and Mercedes-Benz, hosting podcasts and sharing screens large and small with well-known actors.

Not to mention the fact that during that time Ben also met the love of his life and got married!!!

Then, 2020 happened… and so followed roughly four years of crippling depression and anxiety.

Seeing that it was time for another professional metamorphosis, Ben pulled himself out of the depths of depression and sparked a new fire, something that he hadn’t felt in years. Now a producer and co-host of the geek culture podcast The Con Guy, continuing to book comedy shows, and reinvigorating his resume and reels, Ben is picking up where he left off and continuing the good fight towards his one true passion; entertaining people.

After all, it’s what he’s done his entire life.