Ben Platt
He gave a generation its angsty, authentic voice by turning a Broadway role about teenage anxiety into a cultural touchstone.
Born 1993 (age 33)·American actor and singer·Birthday: September 24·Millennials
Biography
Ben Platt grew up in Los Angeles, the son of a major Hollywood producer, but his heart was always on the stage. His childhood in musical theater wasn't just a hobby; it was a rigorous apprenticeship. After a stint in the smash hit 'The Book of Mormon,' he was handed the script for a delicate, risky show called 'Dear Evan Hansen.' Platt didn't just play the title role; he inhabited it with a raw, trembling vulnerability that made the story of a lonely teenager's lie feel universally true. His performance, a masterclass in emotional precision, earned him a rare sweep of top awards while still in his early twenties. The role catapulted him to a unique position, allowing him to navigate film, television, and a solo music career, all while carrying the mantle of a performer who connects deeply with audiences seeking sincerity.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Ben was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Ben Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Ben's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical at age 23 for originating the role of Evan Hansen on Broadway.
- Became one of the youngest performers ever to achieve the coveted EGOT status, winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
- Released his debut studio album, 'Sing to Me Instead,' which debuted in the top 10 on the Billboard album chart.
- Starred in and executive produced the film adaptation of 'Dear Evan Hansen,' bringing his signature role to a global audience.
Did You Know?
He is a distant cousin of Senator Bernie Sanders.
He attended the same high school as actors Jonah Hill and the Sprouse twins.
He performed at the White House for the Obamas' final Easter Egg Roll.
His father, Marc Platt, is a film producer behind movies like 'La La Land' and 'Wicked.'
“The thing that I'm most proud of in my performance is that I never judged him.”
