Ben Vereen
Emmy & Tony Award-Winning Performer/Actor
Emmy and Tony Award-winner Ben Vereen is loved by millions around the globe. H From Broadway`s Chicago to television`s Roots (in which he created the unforgettable Chicken George) to his triumphant return to the stage in the hit musicals Jelly`s Last Jam and A Christmas Carol, he has proven himself one of the world`s most talented and versatile performers. Vereen is also known for training and mentoring such performers as Outkast, Big Boi, and Usher. Although he has had many film and television roles, it is on stage that Vereen has made his biggest impact as a performer. His live theater credits include Wicked, Fosse, I’m Not Rappaport, Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar, Pippin, Grind, Jelly’s Last Jam and A Christmas Carol. His role in Pippin garnered him both the prestigious Tony Award and the Drama Desk Award for “Best Actor in a Musical.” Clive Barnes of the New York Post stated, “Ben Vereen – unquestionably one of the finest performances seen on Broadway.”
Few entertainers today are as accomplished or as versatile as Ben Vereen. His legendary performances transcend time and have been woven into the fabric of this country's artistic legacy. A Tony Award winner for his renowned performance in Bob Fosse's Pippin, Vereen has gone on to solidify his place among Broadway royalty with starring roles in such Broadway productions as Wicked, Fosse, Chicago, Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, and I'm Not Rappaport.
A legend not only on stage but also on screen, Vereen is best known for his iconic role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots. Recently, he guest starred on the television shows Grey's Anatomy (which won him a Prism Award), Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Law and Order: Criminal Intent. He also appeared in the Emmy-nominated made-for-TV movie An Accidental Friendship, for which he earned a NAACP nomination. Vereen also had a recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
In the face of his professional successes, Vereen has encountered his share of adversity. From the loss of his 16-year-old daughter in an automobile accident to a debilitating stroke that left him unable to walk or sing to the onset of Type 2 diabetes, he has pushed forward and always come out stronger.
One of the most requested speakers on the lecture circuit, Vereen uses the lessons he has learned in the good times and the bad to help inspire and encourage others. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, black history, recovery through physical and occupational therapy, and the importance of quality healthcare. He also acts as spokesman, spearheading a proactive and preventive campaign for those living with diabetes.
Ben Vereen sees his work on stage as a metaphor for his work in life. "Life is art," he says. "Whatever we do in life - whether it's performing or teaching or writing or raising kids - is a form of art. Whatever you do, if you embrace it, it will move you to the next level."
A legend not only on stage but also on screen, Vereen is best known for his iconic role as Chicken George in the groundbreaking television miniseries Roots. Recently, he guest starred on the television shows Grey's Anatomy (which won him a Prism Award), Tyler Perry's House of Payne, and Law and Order: Criminal Intent. He also appeared in the Emmy-nominated made-for-TV movie An Accidental Friendship, for which he earned a NAACP nomination. Vereen also had a recurring role on the hit CBS sitcom How I Met Your Mother.
In the face of his professional successes, Vereen has encountered his share of adversity. From the loss of his 16-year-old daughter in an automobile accident to a debilitating stroke that left him unable to walk or sing to the onset of Type 2 diabetes, he has pushed forward and always come out stronger.
One of the most requested speakers on the lecture circuit, Vereen uses the lessons he has learned in the good times and the bad to help inspire and encourage others. His topics range from overcoming adversity, arts in education, black history, recovery through physical and occupational therapy, and the importance of quality healthcare. He also acts as spokesman, spearheading a proactive and preventive campaign for those living with diabetes.
Ben Vereen sees his work on stage as a metaphor for his work in life. "Life is art," he says. "Whatever we do in life - whether it's performing or teaching or writing or raising kids - is a form of art. Whatever you do, if you embrace it, it will move you to the next level."
Topics:
- Steppin' Out Live with Ben Vereen
Steppin' Out Live with Ben Vereen is a one-man show that has been dazzling audiences from Hawaii to Abu Dhabi. A unique blend of artistry combining a tribute to Broadway, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr., it features such hit songs as "Surviving Gravity," "My Way," "Mr. Bojangles," and "Life Is Just a Bowl of Cherries." A contemporary and timeless journey, each performance is filled with song and dance, stories of his life, and a great deal of humor. This program is perfect for foundation galas and hospital fundraisers. - Learning to Live Again - Story of Rehabilitation
After suffering an accident so severe that it nearly took his life, entertainer Ben Vereen required intense physical and occupational therapy to learn to walk, talk, sing, and even live again. In an inspiring and motivating presentation, Vereen share his personal journey and the importance of the rehabilitation he received. He imparts a message of hope, conveying to audiences that, without the help of a dedicated team of doctors, nurses, and physical and occupational therapists, he would not be performing today - or living his life to the fullest. - Special Topics for Black History Month
Actor and keynote speaker Ben Vereen discusses the roles African Americans played in the Civil War, where these soldiers came from, and how they managed to survive - not only in the army, but as black Americans in a tumultuous time. - Black History in Youth
Vereen explores the past and the present, discussing the youth of the black history movement.
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