Ben Patrick Johnson

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Ben Patrick Johnson in the studio, 2006
Ben Patrick Johnson in the studio, 2006

Ben Patrick Johnson (b. June 30, 1969 in Tucson, Arizona) is an American voice-over actor, author, and commentator/activist.

Contents

[edit] Extra Controversy

Johnson's first national exposure came in 1994 when he was chosen as co-host for Extra, an entertainment magazine show. Extra demoted Johnson to on-air correspondent shortly after he came out as homosexual in the gay press and on KABC-AM radio, where he had been Director of Production prior to Extra.[1] Warner Bros. Television, the producers of Extra, declined to comment on the demotion. Following a year at the show, Johnson began writing for HERO Magazine, a glossy gay journal, and eventually joined the board of Equality California, a gay rights organization.[2]

[edit] Voice-Overs

In 1998, after a brief stint at E! Entertainment Television, Johnson moved to Extra's rival entertainment magazine Entertainment Tonight, where he was ET's signature voice [3] for the next four seasons. Currently one of the five top-earning voice actors in Hollywood,[4] Johnson appears on CBS (promoting Survivor, CSI: NY and other shows), FOX (advertising House, Bones, NASCAR and Major League Baseball), the cable channels Starz!, NFL Network, Big Ten Network and others. His voice is used to promote movies and in commercials for Burger King and Kellogg's.

[edit] Writing

Johnson's novels include In and Out In Hollywood, a roman à clef about a celebrity news show anchor whose fortunes change after he comes out, Third and Heaven, and One Size Fits All, published in June 2007, which details the excesses of a young fashion designer dressing three Best Actress nominees for the Oscars.

[edit] Webcast and Activism

In 2006, Johnson launched a podcast called Life on the Left Coast. The video blog featured news, celebrity friends and a humor segment with reports in Spanish delivered by his Salvadorian housekeeper, Connie Asada. Johnson's commentaries, another staple of the webcast, upset a variety of Christian Right Organizations including The Capital Resource Institute[5] after Johnson condemned the CRI for its position on a bill pending in the California Legislature. CRI issued a statement denouncing Johnson, Equality California, and the webcast.[6] After more than a million views on the video sharing website YouTube,[7] the webcast was expanded to a magazine format. Johnson put the show on hiatus in fall 2007 to focus on writing.

[edit] Modeling

Johnson's work as a fitness model has landed him on the covers of such magazines as Gloss, Instinct, Pink, XY, Blue, and on fitness and bodybuilding websites.

[edit] Philanthropy

The Ben Patrick Johnson Foundation, launched in 2006, benefits human rights, LGBT issues, and education. Shortly after its inception, the BPJ Foundation partnered with the organization Live and Give to fund housing for an elementary school in Thailand's Chiang Mai province.[8] The Foundation also passes funding to Habitat for Humanity and the anti-child abuse organization iCan for Kids.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Griffiths, John (2002-10-15). "Voice of Hollywood: E.T.'s voice-over king, Ben Patrick Johnson, says being gay got him sidelined at Extra—a story he has now turned into a juicy new Hollywood novel". 
  2. ^ Board of Directors - Equality California. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ Ben Patrick Johnson. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  4. ^ Beard, John. "Million Dollar Voices - Fox 11 News", KTTV-TV, 2004. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  5. ^ Bajko, Matthew S.. "TV Voiceover talent presents political public face", Bay Area Reporter, 2007-07-12. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  6. ^ "'Gay' activist says- 'We will BURY you'", WorldNetDaily, 2007-05-05. Retrieved on 2008-01-31. 
  7. ^ Life on The Left Coast YouTube Page (html). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
  8. ^ Give and Live: Kewsua Dorm/Education Project. Retrieved on 2008-01-31.

[edit] External links

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