Ben Platt

Platt in 2015, photo by Prphotos

Birth Name: Benjamin Schiff Platt

Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, United States

Date of Birth: September 24, 1993

Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish

Ben Platt is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He is known for playing the title role in the musical Dear Evan Hansen, for which he was the youngest solo winner of the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical. He reprised the role in Dear Evan Hansen‘s cinematic version, and has also appeared in the films Ricki and the Flash, Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk, The Female Brain, Run This Town, Drunk Parents, Broken Diamonds, The People We Hate at the Wedding, and Theater Camp. He recorded the concert film Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall. He also co-wrote Theater Camp.

Ben is the son of Julie (Beren) and Marc Platt, a producer. Among his siblings is actor, singer, writer, and Jewish advocate Jonah Platt and singer Henry Platt. A picture of the three together can be seen here. A picture of Ben and Jonah with their father can be seen here.

Ben was raised in Conservative Judaism. His mother chairs the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles.

He is said to be related to singer, songwriter, and actor Josh Groban, having stated, “we share some great-aunt-Irene Groban.”

Ben’s paternal grandfather is named Howard Platt.

Ben’s paternal grandmother was Sue Ellen Sezzin (the daughter of Max/Mac Emanuel Sezzin and Elsie Zerwitz). Sue was born in Maryland. Max was born in England, to a Jewish family. Elsie was born in Maryland, to Russian Jewish parents, Abram/Abraham Moshe/Moses Zerivitz/Zerewitz and Ida Malchersky/Milchersky.

Ben’s maternal grandfather is Robert M. Beren (the son of Adolph Beren and Ethel A. Abrams). Robert was born in Ohio. Adolph was a Jewish emigrant, who was born in Dankera, Latvia, the son of Wolfe Aaron Beren and Liebe/Leibe Rashe/Rosa/Rase Rothschild. Ethel was born in New York, the daughter of Russian Jewish parents, Samuel G. Abrams and Tillie Sidel.

Ben’s maternal grandmother was named Joan Schiff (the daughter of William Schiff and Rose J.). Joan was born in Ohio. William was born in Laižuva, Lithuania. Rose was born in Pennsylvania, to Russian Jewish parents.

Sources: https://www.newyorker.com

Ben’s paternal grandmother, Sue Ellen Sezzin, on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org

Obituary of Ben’s paternal grandmother, Sue Ellen (Sezzin) Platt – https://jewishtimes.com

Genealogy of Ben Platt (focusing on his mother’s side) – https://www.geni.com

Obituary of Ben’s maternal grandmother, Joan (Schiff) Beren – https://www.legacy.com