Ben Schwartz

A versatile comic who has become a go-to vocal talent for animated features, Ben Schwartz (birthname: Benjamin Schwartz) is the lead voice of Paramount’s animation franchise, Sonic The Hedgehog I (2020) and Sonic the Hedgehog II (2022). His other major vocal performances in animated features in 2022 include DC League of Super-Pets and Rise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie. Schwartz co-stars with Nicolas Cage (as Dracula) and Nicholas Hoult (Renfield) in the April 2023 Universal release, Renfield, directed by Lego Movie franchise director-editor Chris McKay. 

Ben Schwartz’s first break was joining the acclaimed improv comedy group, Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre. His career rose notably in a running guest part on NBC’s Parks and Recreation, which he parlayed into a regular spot on J.J. Abrams’ 2010 NBC show, Undercovers. Although much of his work has centered on TV (such as his long-running vocal work in the acclaimed animated series Bob’s Burgers (2013-2020) and BoJack Horseman (2015-2019)) as well as live stand-up and web series, Schwartz has built a steady presence—mainly with his distinctive, Bronx-accented voice—in feature films. 

Schwartz’s most important on-screen role to date was co-starring with Billy Crystal in the drama-comedy, Standing Up, Falling Down (2019). This was shortly followed by the first Sonic the Hedgehog movie in 2020, establishing Schwartz as a lead voice in a major studio animation feature. That same year, he joined comic actor Thomas Middleditch (Silicon Valley) for Netflix’s two-person long-form improv show, Middleditch, and Schwartz.