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Julie Benz
Julie Benz
Julie Benz
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Julie Benz (born May 1, 1972)[1][2] is an American actress. She is known for her roles as Darla on Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel (1997–2004), and as Rita Bennett on Dexter (2006–2010), for which she won the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress and the 2009 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Key Information

Benz had starring roles on Training Day (2017), Defiance (2013–2015), No Ordinary Family (2010–2011) and also had recurring roles in the television series Roswell (1999–2000), A Gifted Man (2011–2012), Hawaii Five-0 (2015–2017), Desperate Housewives, and Love, Victor (2021).

Her film credits include Jawbreaker (1999), The Brothers (2001), Rambo (2008), Saw V (2008), Punisher: War Zone (2008), and The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009).

Early life and education

[edit]
Benz in 2005

Benz was born in Pittsburgh.[3] Her mother, Joanne Marie (née Seemiller), was a figure skater, and her father, George Benz, Jr., is a surgeon in Pittsburgh.[4] Benz is of German and Welsh descent.[5][6]

The family settled in nearby Murrysville, Pennsylvania, when Benz was two, and she started ice skating when she was three. She attended and graduated from Franklin Regional High School in Murrysville.

When Benz was 14, she suffered a stress fracture in her right leg and had to take time off from skating.[7] The following year, at age 15, Benz says she was told by an acting coach that she would never succeed as an actress. "I remember the teacher telling me I should not even try acting. I still have the report card where she was like, 'You will never be an actor. Your voice is horrible.' That was the best thing that ever happened to me because I was like, 'I'll show you'," she later said.[8]

By 1989, with her figure skating career over, Benz became involved in local theater and was cast in the play Street Law. Her first film role was a small speaking part in "The Black Cat" segment of the Dario Argento/George A. Romero horror film Two Evil Eyes (1990).[9] A year later, she was cast in the TV show Hi Honey, I'm Home! (1991),[2] which was cancelled after two seasons.

After graduating from high school in 1990, Benz studied acting at New York University Tisch School of the Arts.[citation needed]

Career

[edit]
Benz with the cast of Dexter in 2008

After graduating from New York University in 1993,[7] she moved to Los Angeles. Two weeks after her move, she obtained a bit part in a 1994 episode of Married... with Children, playing a girl who wanted to lose her virginity to Bud Bundy.[8] Her subsequent roles included an unaired Aaron Spelling television pilot Crosstown Traffic. She starred in another unaired TV pilot called Empire in 1995. Her other TV shows included Hang Time, High Tide, Step by Step, and Boy Meets World, plus a small role in the television film The Barefoot Executive.

During the 1990s, her acting career was varied and steady. She had an uncredited role in Black Sheep and her appearance in Diagnosis: Murder as top figure skater "Julie" allowed her to demonstrate her skating talent. Later TV appearances included characters on Sliders and The Single Guy. She played Christy in the television film Hearts Adrift and a lead role as Julie Falcon in Darkdrive.

In 1996, Benz auditioned for the role of Buffy Summers for the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, but lost the role to Sarah Michelle Gellar. However, she was offered the small role of the vampire Darla, in the pilot episode. Her performance was so well-received that her part was expanded to a few more episodes.

This role helped launch her career and Julie appeared in guest appearances in more TV shows such as The Big Easy and Fame L.A., along with a small role as a receptionist in the film As Good as It Gets (1997). She starred in the short spoof film Eating Las Vegas and the unaired TV pilot Veronica's Video, had a small uncredited role in the television film A Walton Easter, and a small role in Inventing the Abbotts.

In 1998, she had a recurring role as Joplin Russell in the TV show Ask Harriet, then guest starred on both Conrad Bloom and The King of Queens. She made two films, the dark comedy Jawbreaker and Dirt Merchant, before landing a lead role in the TV series Payne, an American remake of the British sitcom Fawlty Towers. It was cancelled after eight episodes had aired.

Benz reprised her role as Darla in 2000 for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer spin-off series Angel,[10] appearing in every season for at least one episode. Julie was a guest host for the TV show Rendez-View, cast as Ellie Sparks in Glory Days and appeared in the unaired pilot; however, she left the show. Later, she guest-starred on She Spies, was in the featured cast for the miniseries Taken, did various voices for the video game Hot Shots Golf Fore!, appeared in the short film The Midget Stays in the Picture, and took over the role of Ursula for George of the Jungle 2.

Benz in 2009

Benz appeared in Peacemakers, Coupling, NCIS, and Oliver Beene. She landed the lead role of Annie Garrett in the television film The Long Shot[10] and provided the voice of Miranda Keyes for the video game Halo 2, though she did not return to the role in the sequel Halo 3, as Bungie wanted to try a new direction with the Miranda Keyes voice by giving the character an accent.[11] She portrayed Danielle in the direct-to-DVD film Bad Girls from Valley High in 2005. She had a small role in the critically acclaimed television film Lackawanna Blues.

In the Sci-Fi Channel original film Locusts: The 8th Plague, she played the lead female role Vicky. She also appeared in the straight-to-DVD film 8mm 2 as Lynn. The film was originally called The Velvet Side of Hell and was not supposed to be a sequel to 8MM. Benz appeared in episodes of Supernatural, CSI: Miami, Law & Order, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She had a supporting role in the Swedish independent film Kill Your Darlings (2006), a lead role in the television film Circle of Friends (2006), and joined the cast of the TV show Dexter as Rita Bennett, Dexter Morgan's girlfriend and eventual wife.[12] Benz played a lead role in the fifth film of the popular Saw horror franchise, Saw V, as Brit, a real estate developer who is one of Jigsaw's five victims. Benz had a supporting role in Punisher: War Zone as Angela and co-starred with Sylvester Stallone in Rambo (2008), the fourth film of the series.

She played the title role in the short film Kidnapping Caitlynn, written by her close friend Jenny Mollen, which premiered at the Vail Film Festival 2009 and was released online April 6, 2009.[13] She starred in the television film Held Hostage as Michelle Estey.[14] in July. She also starred in the television film Uncorked (2009)[15] as Johnny Prentiss[16] which premiered in the UK in July 2009. She is the lead female character Special Agent Eunice Bloom in The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day which had a limited release on October 30, 2009, and was released on DVD March 9, 2010. She has been cast in another indie film called Bedrooms as Anna.[17] She played Frankie in the 2011 film Answers to Nothing.

Benz at the 2012 San Diego Comic-Con

Benz appeared on The Soup with Joel McHale. Benz next took a recurring role on Desperate Housewives as Robin Gallagher, a stripper with a heart of gold and a master's degree in education who gets offered the chance to transition into a more legitimate career.[18] The character of Robin is further developed when the audience discovers she is a lesbian and begins an affair with housewife Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany).[19] After the fourth season finale of Dexter, in which her character is murdered, Benz returned for the fifth-season premiere in a flashback scene.[20]

In early 2010, ABC announced that Benz had landed a lead role as Stephanie Powell in the network's drama pilot No Ordinary Family.[21] Production of the series commenced in May and it premiered in September 2010,[22] as part of the 2010–11 season.[23] In May 2011 No Ordinary Family was cancelled after one season with only 20 episodes filmed.

In 2011, she was cast in the new CBS TV show A Gifted Man. Originally a co-star, she was later downgraded to a recurring role.[24] A Gifted Man was cancelled by CBS in May 2012 after one season of 16 episodes. She was cast in the television film Ricochet as Elise Laird.[25] Benz played the lead female role, Mayor Amanda Rosewater, in the science fiction series Defiance[26] and also starred in the film Supremacy[27] and the unaired TV pilot Middle Ages.

In 2015, Benz landed a recurring role in the CBS series Hawaii Five-O, playing the latest team member and Chin Ho's girlfriend, Abby Dunn. She also starred in the television film Charming Christmas.

In 2021, she guest-starred in the TV series Love, Victor.

Personal life

[edit]

Benz married actor John Kassir on May 30, 1998. She filed for divorce in December 2007.

In 2011, she became engaged to Rich Orosco.[28] They married on May 5, 2012.[29]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Benz in 2010
Year Title Role Notes
1990 Two Evil Eyes Betty Segment: "The Black Cat"
1996 Darkdrive Julie Falcon
1997 As Good as It Gets Receptionist
1997 Inventing the Abbotts Co-ed
1999 Dirt Merchant Angie
1999 Jawbreaker Marcie Fox
2000 Bad Girls from Valley High Danielle
2000 Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th Barbara Direct-to-video film
2001 The Brothers Jesse Caldwell
2003 George of the Jungle 2 Ursula Stanhope, Queen of the Jungle Direct-to-video film
2004 The Long Shot Annie Garrett
2005 8mm 2 Lynn Direct-to-video film
2006 Kill Your Darlings Katherine
2008 Punisher: War Zone Angela Donatelli
2008 Rambo Sarah Miller
2008 Saw V Brit
2009 The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day Eunice Bloom
2010 Bedrooms Anna
2011 Answers to Nothing Frankie
2011 Ricochet Elise Laird
2014 Supremacy Kristen
2015 Circle Wife
2015 Life on the Line Carline
2016 Havenhurst Jackie
2019 Foster Boy Pamela Dupree
2020 Nocturne Cassie Lowe

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1991–1992 Hi Honey, I'm Home! Babs Nielson Main role
1991–1992 All My Children Linda Connor Guest appearances: December 31, 1991 – January 2, 1992[30][31]
1994 Married... with Children Sascha Episode: "Field of Screams"
1995 The Barefoot Executive Sexy woman Television film
1995 Hang Time Linda Cantrell Episode: "Earl Makes the Grade"
1995 High Tide Joanna Craig Episode: "Sea No Evil"
1995 Step by Step Tawny Episode: "The Wall"
1996 Boy Meets World Bianca Episode: "City Slackers"
1996 Diagnosis: Murder Julie Miller Episode: "Murder on Thin Ice"
1996 Hearts Adrift Christy Television film
1996 The Single Guy Cranberries girl Episode: "Love Train"
1996 Sliders Jenny Michener Episode: "The Electric Twister Acid Test"
1997 The Big Easy Roxanne Episode: "BeGirled"
1997 Fame L.A. Vanessa Episode: "The Beat Goes On"
1997–2000 Buffy the Vampire Slayer Darla Recurring role (5 episodes)
1998 Ask Harriet Joplin Russell Recurring role
1998 Conrad Bloom Julie Episode: "The Rebound Guy"
1999 The King of Queens Julie Patterson Episode: "Train Wreck"
1999 Payne Breeze O'Rourke Main role
1999–2000 Roswell Kathleen Topolsky Recurring role (season 1)
2000 Satan's School for Girls Alison Kingsley Television film
2000–2004 Angel Darla Recurring role (seasons 1–3); guest role (seasons 4–5)
2002 Coupling Amanda Episode: "Decatur Guy"
2002 Peacemakers Miranda Blanchard Episode: "The Witness"
2002 She Spies Elaine Episode: "Spies vs. Spy"
2002 Taken Kate Keyes Miniseries
2004 The Long Shot: Believe in Courage Annie Garrett Television film
2004 NCIS Denise Johnson Episode: "A Weak Link"
2004 Oliver Beene Cigarette girl Episode: "Idol Chatter"
2005 Lackawanna Blues Laura Television film
2005 Locusts: The 8th Plague Vicky Television film
2006 Circle of Friends Maggie Television film
2006 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Heidi Wolff Episode: "Time of Your Death"
2006 CSI: Miami Hayley Gordon Episode: "Deviant"
2006 Supernatural Layla Rourke Episode: "Faith"
2006–2010 Dexter Rita Bennett Main role (season 1–4); guest role (season 5)
2007 Law & Order Dawn Sterling Episode: "Church"
2009 Held Hostage Michelle Estey Television film
2009 Uncorked Johnny Prentiss Television film
2010 Desperate Housewives Robin Gallagher Recurring role (season 6)
2010–2011 No Ordinary Family Stephanie Powell Main role
2011 Royal Pains Elyse Episode: "An Apple a Day"
2011–2012 A Gifted Man Christina Holt Recurring role (season 1)
2013 Sole Custody Zoe Television film
2013 Taken: The Search for Sophie Parker Stevie Parker Television film
2013–2015 Defiance Amanda Rosewater Main role
2015 Charming Christmas Meredith Rossman Television film
2015–2017 Hawaii Five-0 Abby Dunn Recurring role (season 6–7)
2017 Christmas Homecoming Amanda Television film
2017 Training Day Holly Butler Main role
2019 Dark/Web Rideshare Episode: "Rideshare"
2019 Light as a Feather Skye Karras Episode: "...Guilty as Sin"
2019 On Becoming a God in Central Florida Carole Wilkes Recurring role
2019 V. C. Andrews' Heaven Kitty Dennison Television film
2021 Love, Victor Shelby Guest role
2021 Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer Celeste Beard Television film
2022 9-1-1: Lone Star Sadie Guest role

Video games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Hot Shots Golf Fore! Phoebe and Amy
2004 Halo 2 Miranda Keyes

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result
2006 11th Satellite Awards Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress - Series, Miniseries or Television Film Dexter Won
2008 Eyegore Awards Eyegore Award Won
2008 Scream Awards Best Horror Actress Dexter Nominated
2009 16th Screen Actors Guild Awards Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series Nominated
2010 17th Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominated
36th Saturn Awards Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television Won
Monte Carlo Television Festival Outstanding Actress - Drama Series Nominated
2010 Scream Awards Best Horror Actress Nominated

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Julie Benz

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Julie Benz (born May 1, 1972) is an American actress best known for her portrayals of the Darla in the television series and its spin-off (1997–2004), and Rita , the wife of the protagonist, in the Showtime crime drama Dexter (2006–2012). Born Julie Marie Benz in , , she grew up in a family with strong ties to ; her mother, Joanne, was a figure skater, and her siblings, Jennifer and Jeffrey Benz, are professional ice dancers. Benz herself competed in ice dancing, placing 13th at the 1988 . She later studied acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, graduating in 1994, before transitioning from modeling to acting with early television roles. Benz's breakthrough came when she auditioned for the lead role in Buffy the Vampire Slayer but was cast instead as the recurring antagonist Darla, a role she reprised across both Buffy and Angel, earning praise for her commanding presence in the supernatural genre. Her performance as Rita Bennett in Dexter—a single mother who becomes entangled in the life of a serial killer—solidified her as a versatile supporting actress, contributing to the series' critical acclaim over its first four seasons until her character's death in 2009. Subsequent leading roles included Stephanie Powell in the superhero family drama No Ordinary Family (2010–2011), Amanda Rosewater in the sci-fi series Defiance (2013–2015), and Holly McCabe in the police procedural Training Day (2017). She has also appeared in films such as Saw V (2008) and Circle (2015), and more recently guest-starred as Sadie in 9-1-1: Lone Star (2022) and portrayed Ms. Devaney in the 2024 film The Midway Point. In 2025, Benz is set to star in the horror-comedy film Horrified, and expressed disappointment over not being invited to reprise her role in the upcoming Dexter: Resurrection revival. For her work on Dexter, Benz received the 2006 Satellite Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, , or , as well as the 2009 Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television. She has garnered additional nominations, including for the Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Series in 2009 and 2010. Beyond acting, Benz has been involved in , supporting organizations such as the U.S. Campaign for Burma and . In her personal life, Benz was previously married to actor and voice artist from 1998 to 2007. She wed Rich Orosco, the chief brand officer for the Los Angeles Football Club, in 2012 at the Sowden House in , with Buffy co-star serving as maid of honor; the couple celebrated their 13th anniversary in May 2025.

Early life and education

Family background and childhood

Julie Benz was born on May 1, 1972, in , . Her family relocated to the nearby suburb of Murrysville when she was two years old, where she spent the majority of her childhood. Benz's father, George Benz Jr., worked as a at the (UPMC). Her mother, Joanne Benz, had a background as a figure skater. She has two older siblings: a brother named Jeffrey and a sister named Jennifer, who are professional ice dancers. The Benz family fostered a supportive home environment characterized by a strong and the grounded, resilient values typical of upbringing. This dynamic encouraged perseverance and dedication, shaping Benz's early perspective on achievement and family bonds. As a young child, she initially aspired to pursue like her father but discovered her aversion to blood after viewing a video of one of his surgeries. Benz's family provided general encouragement for her personal interests and activities, reflecting their emphasis on nurturing individual talents within a close-knit household. This foundational support later influenced her transition to ice skating as a key early passion.

Skating career and education

Benz began ice skating at the age of three, inspired by her mother, a former figure skater who trained her in the sport. She dedicated herself to rigorous practice, competing nationally in ice dancing and achieving recognition by placing 13th at the 1988 U.S. Figure Skating Championships in the junior category. Her family provided strong support for these early athletic endeavors, fostering her competitive drive. At age 14, however, Benz suffered a that forced her to take time off from skating, though she later returned to compete. The injury ultimately contributed to redirecting her passions toward the and . Benz graduated from Franklin Regional High School in , in 1990. That same year, she enrolled at the Tisch School of the Arts to pursue formal training in , completing her studies in 1994.

Professional career

Breakthrough in television and film (1990s–2000s)

Benz began her acting career in the early 1990s with a small credited speaking role in the anthology horror film (1990), directed by and , where she appeared in Argento's segment "The Black Cat" alongside . This marked her screen debut at age 18, following her move to after high school. She soon transitioned to television, landing her first series role as Babs Nielsen, the teenage daughter in the unconventional sitcom Hi Honey, I'm Home! (1991–1992), which aired 13 episodes and portrayed a 1950s TV family living among modern neighbors. Benz's breakthrough came with her portrayal of Darla in (1997–2000), initially cast for a single episode as the 17th-century vampire who sired the character , but her performance led to an expanded arc across multiple seasons. Darla's storyline explored themes of redemption and damnation, evolving from a manipulative in Buffy's early episodes to a more nuanced figure upon her resurrection in the spin-off (2000–2004), where she reappeared in over a dozen episodes, including pivotal arcs involving her pregnancy with Angel's son Connor and her ultimate sacrificial death. This role, which Benz described as "one of the greatest gifts of my career," significantly boosted her visibility in genre television and established her as a versatile actress capable of blending menace with vulnerability, paving the way for more prominent parts. In film, Benz took on supporting roles that highlighted her range in youth-oriented comedies and thrillers. She played Marcie "Foxy" Fox in the black comedy Jawbreaker (1999), as a loyal but dim-witted member of a popular high school clique led by Rose McGowan's Courtney, whose prank accidentally kills their friend, leading to a that fractures the group. The , praised for its satirical take on mean-girl dynamics, showcased Benz's ability to embody exaggerated '90s teen archetypes, contributing to its enduring legacy in queer cinema and fashion. By the mid-2000s, Benz secured her first leading television role as in the Showtime series Dexter (2006–2009), portraying a single mother and divorcée escaping an abusive marriage who becomes the emotional anchor for the titular . Rita's development from a guarded love interest to Dexter's wife and mother of his child provided a humanizing to the show's dark themes, with Benz's nuanced performance—balancing fragility and resilience—earning acclaim and solidifying her status in prestige cable drama. The role spanned four seasons and 48 episodes, marking a career milestone that transitioned her from genre supporting parts to complex leads. Benz also appeared in action and horror films during this period, including Rambo (2008), where she played Sarah Miller, a determined Christian who persuades the reclusive () to guide her aid group into war-torn , only for them to be captured, prompting his rescue mission. Her character added a moral impetus to the film's brutal narrative, though the movie received mixed reviews for its . Similarly, in (2008), Benz portrayed Brit Stevenson, a ruthless developer among five strangers forced into Jigsaw's cooperative traps to learn , a role she described as "very unlikeable" and which highlighted her in a lead capacity within the franchise's ensemble. The film, focusing on themes of and , garnered moderate reception but further demonstrated Benz's affinity for high-stakes genre projects.

Later roles and recent projects (2010s–present)

Following her acclaimed portrayal of Rita Bennett on Dexter, which solidified her status as a versatile actress in genre television, Julie Benz transitioned into a series of lead and supporting roles that showcased her range across superhero dramas, sci-fi epics, and procedural thrillers. In 2010, Benz took on the lead role of Stephanie Powell, a brilliant who gains abilities after a plane crash, in the ABC family adventure series . Airing for one season, the show paired her with as her husband, exploring themes of family dynamics amid extraordinary powers. Despite critical praise for its heartfelt storytelling and Benz's grounded performance as a working mother navigating ethical dilemmas in her scientific research, the series struggled with low ratings and was canceled by ABC in May 2011 after 20 episodes. The abrupt end limited its cultural but allowed Benz to pivot quickly to new opportunities, including pilots for . Benz returned to with a starring role as Rosewater, the resilient of a post-apocalyptic town populated by humans and aliens, in the Syfy series Defiance from 2013 to 2015. The ambitious show, which integrated a tied to an online multiplayer game, spanned three seasons and depicted Amanda's evolution from a pragmatic leader to a more vulnerable figure grappling with personal loss and political intrigue in season two. Benz's portrayal earned acclaim for adding emotional depth to the ensemble, with her character's "dark side" revealing layers of trauma that resonated in interviews about the production's immersive sets and world-building. The series garnered a dedicated fanbase among sci-fi enthusiasts for its innovative transmedia approach and diverse cast dynamics, though it concluded after its third season due to declining viewership. Throughout the mid-2010s, Benz maintained a steady presence in television with recurring and guest roles that highlighted her ability to portray complex authority figures. She appeared as Holly Butler, a Hollywood madam, in the 2017 CBS reboot of Training Day, contributing to the show's exploration of corruption in law enforcement over 13 episodes. Concurrently, from 2015 to 2016, she recurred as Inspector Abby Dunn on Hawaii Five-0, bringing intensity to investigations involving high-stakes crimes in the procedural format. In 2021, Benz guest-starred as a supporting character in the Hulu series Love, Victor, adding nuance to the coming-of-age dramedy. She later joined 9-1-1: Lone Star in 2022 as Sadie Becker, a cunning antagonist whose manipulative schemes unfolded across four episodes in season three, marking a villainous turn that aligned with her history of layered antagonistic roles. Benz also ventured into film during this period, appearing in the Nocturne (2020) as Cassie Lowe, the mother of twin prodigies in a cutthroat music academy, where her subtle performance underscored themes of ambition and familial pressure. The following year, she starred as in the Lifetime thriller Secrets of a Gold Digger Killer (2021), portraying a woman entangled in a deadly based on true events, which highlighted her skill in true-crime narratives. In recent years, Benz has balanced independent features with high-profile genre projects. She played Ms. Devaney, a pivotal mentor figure, in the 2024 coming-of-age drama The Midway Point, a film that premiered at festivals and focused on personal growth amid adversity. Looking ahead, Benz stars as a down-on-her-luck in the upcoming meta horror-comedy , set to film in 2025, where she confronts a killer from her past at a convention; the project also features and . In 2025, amid excitement for Dexter: Resurrection, Benz expressed disappointment over not reprising her iconic role as Rita, stating she felt "heartbroken" by the decision despite understanding the narrative choices, and reflected on wishing she had advocated more for the character's development during the original series.

Personal life

Marriages and relationships

Julie Benz was first married to actor and voice artist . The couple wed on May 30, 1998, and Benz filed for in December 2007, with the marriage ending that year. Following the , Benz immersed herself in her career, taking on demanding roles to navigate the personal transition. In June 2011, she became engaged to Rich Orosco, a professional outside the industry. The pair married on May 5, 2012, in a ceremony at the historic in , incorporating elements of Orosco's Mexican heritage. As of 2025, Benz and Orosco remain married, having celebrated their 13th anniversary in May with no public reports of separations or children. The stability of this partnership has supported her personal growth, including interests in advocacy.

Philanthropy and advocacy

Julie Benz has been a vocal for , particularly focusing on issues of , , and systemic failures affecting foster youth in the United States. In promoting the 2020 film , which depicts corruption and mistreatment in the for-profit system, Benz described her involvement as "art activism" aimed at raising awareness about the plight of the approximately 430,000 children in , many of whom face , , and dismal outcomes such as or incarceration upon aging out. She emphasized that "profits are frequently prioritized over a child’s ," calling the system's incentives for failed placements "criminal" and urging prospective foster parents to scrutinize for-profit agencies. Benz has supported organizations dedicated to at-risk youth, including First Star, a nonprofit that provides educational and opportunities for foster children to break cycles of and . Her engagement with First Star included hosting set visits for the organization's students during the production of , fostering direct interaction and inspiration for young participants. She has also contributed to , participating in events to support pediatric care for vulnerable children facing health challenges often exacerbated by neglect or . Additionally, Benz has backed Padres Contra el Cáncer, an organization aiding Latino families with children battling cancer, through attendance at fundraising galas in the . Benz has supported other causes, including the U.S. Campaign for through a supportive video appearance and . In public appearances and interviews throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Benz has spoken on the need for reform, encouraging audiences to visit resources like fosterboy.com to learn about advocacy efforts and ways to support systemic change. Her stable personal life has enabled her to dedicate time to these causes without the disruptions of earlier career demands.

Filmography

Film roles

Benz made her film debut in the horror anthology (1990), portraying Betty, a teenage student, in a small role within George A. Romero's segment "The Black Cat." In the black comedy Jawbreaker (1999), she played Marcie "Foxy" Fox, a loyal but dim-witted member of a popular high school clique involved in a fatal prank. Benz took on a supporting role as Sarah Miller, a compassionate missionary aid worker, in Sylvester Stallone's action film Rambo (2008). That same year, she starred as Brit Stevenson, a ruthless real estate developer ensnared in deadly traps, in the horror sequel Saw V. In the psychological thriller Nocturne (2020), Benz appeared as Cassie, the mother of a talented pianist navigating intense rivalries at a music academy. She led the Lifetime true-crime drama Secrets of a Killer (2021) as , a manipulative waitress entangled in a scheme to her wealthy husband. Benz portrayed Ms. Devaney, a teacher in a , in the independent drama The Midway Point (2024). Upcoming projects include the horror-comedy , in which she stars as a down-on-her-luck .

Television roles

Benz began her television career in the early with a regular role as Babs Nielsen in the short-lived Hi Honey, I'm Home! (1991–1992), a collaborative production between ABC and that aired 13 episodes and featured a family from a TV show living among modern neighbors. Her breakthrough came in the late 1990s with the recurring role of the vampire Darla on (1997–2000), appearing in seven episodes as the sire of the titular character's nemesis, ; this performance led to her reprising the character as a recurring guest star on the spin-off series (2000–2004), where she appeared in 18 episodes across multiple seasons, often in flashback sequences highlighting Darla's backstory and influence on the narrative. Benz transitioned to leading roles in the mid-2000s, portraying , the love interest and eventual wife of the protagonist , as a series regular on Dexter (2006–2010), appearing in 49 episodes and earning acclaim for her depiction of a single mother entangled in the life of a ; her character's arc concluded dramatically in season four. Following this, she starred as Stephanie Powell, a gaining abilities, in the lead role on the superhero family drama (2010–2011), serving as a series regular for all 20 episodes until the show's cancellation. In the 2010s and beyond, Benz continued with prominent television appearances, including the series regular role of Amanda Rosewater, the deputy mayor of a futuristic town, on the Syfy sci-fi series Defiance (2013–2015), where she appeared in 39 episodes blending political intrigue with alien-human conflicts. She recurred as Inspector Abby Dunn in a guest capacity on Hawaii Five-0 (2015–2017), contributing to procedural storylines in several episodes. Benz played Holly Butler in a single-episode guest role on the crime drama Training Day (2017), portraying a key figure in an undercover operation. More recently, she appeared as a guest star playing Shelby on Love, Victor (2021), supporting the coming-of-age narrative in select episodes. In 2022, Benz portrayed Sadie Becker, an artist who becomes romantically involved with firefighter captain Owen Strand, in a recurring role on the third season of 9-1-1: Lone Star, appearing in four episodes during high-stakes emergencies. Throughout her career, Benz has balanced series regular positions, such as in Dexter and Defiance, with recurring and guest spots that allowed her to explore diverse genres from supernatural horror to procedural dramas, often leveraging her ability to convey emotional depth in supporting capacities.

Video games

Benz's involvement in video games has been primarily through voice acting, with credits concentrated in the mid-2000s. In (2004), developed by for the , she voiced Miranda Keyes, a key military officer who coordinates human resistance efforts against the Covenant alien alliance and supports the protagonist Master Chief throughout the campaign. Her role involved delivering dialogue in both cutscenes and in-game briefings, contributing to the character's authoritative presence in the franchise's sci-fi narrative. The same year, Benz provided the English-language voice for Phoebe, a peppy cheerleader golfer with high drive power, in Hot Shots Golf Fore! (2004), known as Everybody's Golf 4 in Japan and developed by Clap Haze for the PlayStation 2. She also supplied various additional voices for the game's roster of playable characters and announcers, enhancing the lighthearted sports simulation's multiplayer and arcade modes. Benz reprised her role as Miranda Keyes in the 2014 remastered compilation Halo: The Master Chief Collection, which included an updated version of Halo 2 across Xbox platforms, allowing her performance to reach new audiences. These roles represent her only credited contributions to interactive media, highlighting her range in animated and narrative-driven contexts.

Awards and recognition

Major wins

Benz earned significant recognition for her portrayal of Rita Bennett on the Showtime series Dexter, securing genre-specific honors that highlighted her impact in television drama. In 2006, she received the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Series, or from the International Press Academy, acknowledging her nuanced performance in the show's first season. In 2008, Benz won the Eyegore Award from for her contributions to the horror genre. Building on this acclaim, Benz won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television in 2009, presented by the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA, for her ongoing role that deepened the series' emotional core. She repeated this achievement the following year, taking home the 2010 Saturn Award in the same category for Dexter, further cementing her status as a standout supporting performer in genre television.

Notable nominations

Benz earned recognition for her ensemble work in the television series Dexter, receiving two consecutive nominations from the for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2009 and 2010. She was also nominated twice at the Scream Awards for her portrayal in Dexter, first in 2008 for Best Horror Actress and again in 2010 in the same category. In 2010, Benz received a nomination for the Golden Nymph Award at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series for Dexter.

References

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  14. https://skatingmagazine.usfigureskating.org/article/Skating_200804_17
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  43. https://gamerant.com/original-dexter-rita-heartbroken-not-returning-dexter-resurrection/
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  61. https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/Julie-Benz/
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  63. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004748/awards/
  64. https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a233119/in-full-saturn-tv-awards-2010-winners/
  65. https://www.sagawards.org/awards/nominees-and-recipients/15th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards
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