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Benjamin Shenkman (born September 26, 1968) is an American television, film and stage actor.Shenkman was born in New York City, where he went on to graduate from Brown University and obtain a Masters of Fine Arts in 1993 from New York University.[1] He then began his acting career guest starring in the hit series Law & Order securing a small role in the 1994 film Quiz Show directed by Robert Redford. He continued throughout the '90s performing small roles in films such as Eraser (1996), The Siege (1998), π (1998), Jesus' Son (1999), until his first leading role in the romantic comedy 30 Days (1999) as Jordan Trainer. The movie gained little success but it was Shenkman's first leading role. Additional films include the psychological thriller Chasing Sleep (2000), and the independent films Requiem for a Dream (2000) and Americanese (2008).Shenkman continued his television appearances playing recurring roles in the hit television series Ed and Law & Order. His biggest television break was his role in HBO's adaptation of Tony Kushner's hit play Angels in America. Shenkman plays Louis Ironson, a gay Jew who upon discovering his partner is ill with AIDS decides that he can't cope with the suffering of his boyfriend and thus leaves him. The movie wasn't the first time Shenkman took part in this award winning production. While still at New York University (NYU) Shenkman played the role of Roy Cohn, a closeted gay homophobic, Republican dying of AIDS. The role was later played by Al Pacino in the 2003 miniseries, and Shenkman's role as Louis garnered him a nomination for a Golden Globe.He also gained success in the theatre starring in Manhattan Theatre Club's critically acclaimed production of Proof alongside Mary-Louise Parker who also co-starred in Angels in America. In 2007, he co-starred in Breakfast with Scot a gay-themed film made in Canada. The film marked the first time major Canadian hockey teams had allowed a gay film to be made at their facilities.