Ben Mankiewicz
{{short description|American television host (born 1967)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ben Mankiewicz
| image = BenMankiewicz2012.jpg
| caption = Mankiewicz in 2012
| birth_name = Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1967|3|25}}{{cite web |author=Turner Classic Movies |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=10159247256085396 |title=Join us in wishing our host Ben Mankiewicz a very happy birthday! |date=March 25, 2021 |access-date=February 4, 2025 |via=Facebook}}
| birth_place = Washington, D.C., U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| education = Tufts University (BA)
Columbia University (MS)
| occupation = {{hlist|Television host|podcast host|film critic|journalist}}
| spouse = {{plainlist|
- {{marriage|Contessa Kellogg|2005|2009|reason=divorced}}
- {{marriage|Lee Russo|2013}}
}}
| parents = Frank Mankiewicz
Holly Mankiewicz
| family = Mankiewicz
| party = Democratic{{cite magazine |last=Hond |first=Paul |url=https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/how-mankiewicz-family-got-their-hollywood-ending |title=How the Mankiewicz Family Got Their Hollywood Ending |date=Fall 2022 |magazine=Columbia Magazine |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220908183252/https://magazine.columbia.edu/article/how-mankiewicz-family-got-their-hollywood-ending |archive-date=September 8, 2022 |url-status=live}}
}}
Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fNxDAQAAIAAJ&q=holly+%22JOLLEY%22+mankiewicz |title=Broadcasting – Google Books |year=1957 |via=Google Books |access-date=July 11, 2013}} (born March 25, 1967) is an American television journalist and host for Turner Classic Movies (TCM). He is a progressive political commentator for The Young Turks. He has served as a film critic for the 2008–2009 season for the TV program At the Movies and the web series What the Flick?!{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcm.com/articles/TCM%20Host%20Article/021923/ben-mankiewicz|title=Ben Mankiewicz|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=September 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250416062352/https://www.tcm.com/articles/TCM%20Host%20Article/021923/ben-mankiewicz|archive-date=April 16, 2025|url-status=live}}
A descendant of the Mankiewicz family, Ben Mankiewicz graduated from Tufts University, and earned a master's degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. He subsequently worked as a news reporter and anchor, first for WCSC-TV in Charleston, South Carolina and later for WAMI in Miami. Mankiewicz left news journalism, and auditioned as a television host for Turner Classic Movies.
Mankiewicz was hired in 2003 as an afternoon weekend host, second to Robert Osborne, who was the channel's primetime host. In 2013, for health reasons, Osborne delegated weekday primetime hosting appearances to Mankiewicz. In 2017, Osborne died at the age of 84, and Mankiewicz became the network's primetime host. Additionally, he hosts the TCM-produced podcast series, The Plot Thickens and Talking Pictures.
Early life
Mankiewicz was born in Washington, D.C., to press secretary Frank Mankiewicz and Holly Mankiewicz (née Jolley).{{cite web |last=Mankiewicz |first=Josh |url=http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/09/6613955-what-mom-taught-me |title=What Mom taught me... – Inside Dateline |website=MSNBC |access-date=July 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401180351/http://insidedateline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/05/09/6613955-what-mom-taught-me |archive-date=April 1, 2012 }} His father was of German Jewish descent.{{cite news |last=Friedman |first=Gabe |date=December 4, 2020 |url=https://www.jta.org/2020/12/04/culture/the-real-story-behind-mank-the-new-movie-about-the-jewish-screenwriter-who-brought-us-citizen-kane |title=The real story behind 'Mank,' the new movie about the Jewish screenwriter who brought us 'Citizen Kane' |work=Jewish Telegraphic Agency |access-date=February 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240705022635/https://www.jta.org/2020/12/04/culture/the-real-story-behind-mank-the-new-movie-about-the-jewish-screenwriter-who-brought-us-citizen-kane |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |url-status=live}} He is the cousin of screenwriter Tom Mankiewicz and filmmaker/television producer Nick Davis, the grandson of screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz, the grand-nephew of screenwriter, producer, and director Joseph L. Mankiewicz,{{cite magazine |last=Bonnett |first=Margie |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082222,00.html |title=Frank Mankiewicz |magazine=People |date=May 24, 1982 |access-date=July 11, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604055748/https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20082222,00.html |archive-date=June 4, 2009 |url-status=dead |issn=0093-7673}}{{cite web|url=http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/thismonth/article/?cid=35501|title=Ben's Top Pick for October 2015|website=Turner Classic Movies|access-date=July 11, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120915090743/http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/thismonth/article/?cid=35501|archive-date=September 15, 2012}} and the brother of NBC News reporter Josh Mankiewicz.
Mankiewicz attended Georgetown Day School for his primary and secondary education. After graduating, he next enrolled into Tufts University. After his sophomore year, he interned at The George Michael Sports Machine, and "then came back the next year and worked for Glenn Brenner."{{cite web |last=Fraley |first=Jason |url=https://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/12/ben-mankiewicz-reflects-on-grandfather-writing-citizen-kane-in-netflixs-mank/ |title=Ben Mankiewicz reflects on grandfather writing 'Citizen Kane' in Netflix's 'Mank' |website=WTOP-TV |date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204161711/https://wtop.com/entertainment/2020/12/ben-mankiewicz-reflects-on-grandfather-writing-citizen-kane-in-netflixs-mank/ |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |url-status=live}} In 1992, he received a Master of Science degree from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism with an emphasis in broadcast journalism.
Career
=1993–2003: News anchoring=
Mankiewicz was hired as a sports producer for WJLA-TV, the ABC affiliate in Washington, D.C., and next as a producer for the sports radio station WTEM. By 1993, he was working as an on-air reporter for WCSC-TV (a CBS affiliate) in Charleston, South Carolina.{{cite news |last=Carmody |first=John |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1993/11/04/the-tv-column/5ea7dd26-bb79-40f5-98e0-4ef26316763b/ |title=The TV Column |work=The Washington Post |date=November 4, 1993 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250112204847/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1993/11/04/the-tv-column/5ea7dd26-bb79-40f5-98e0-4ef26316763b/ |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |url-status=live}} He joined WAMI in Miami, Florida, in 1998, where he served as anchor of The Times, a daily news magazine show and the station's highlight program.{{cite web |url=http://www.tv.com/ben-mankiewicz/person/191298/biography.html |title=Ben Mankiewicz profile |website=Tv.com |access-date=July 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917030744/http://www.tv.com/ben-mankiewicz/person/191298/biography.html |archive-date=September 17, 2011 }} He left WAMI not wanting to work in television news any longer, and was in search for another television job. "I auditioned for every show on television: reality shows, game shows," Mankiewicz stated. "I must have auditioned for 120 shows, including, I'm ashamed to say, Are You Hot? — and not as one of the judges."{{cite news |last=Sanford |first=James |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-ben/133643355/ |title=Mankiewicz hosts TCM on weekends |newspaper=Star Tribune |page=E8 |date=October 18, 2003 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519015407/https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-tribune-ben/133643355/ |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |url-status=live |via=Newspapers.com}} {{Open access}}
=2003–present: Turner Classic Movies=
By the early 2000s, network executives at Turner Classic Movies (TCM) began noticing high viewership numbers during the afternoon weekend hours. In early 2003, they held auditions in Century City, Los Angeles for an on-air host to serve the time slot. Mankiewicz was given his first audition, which was to compare Seven Samurai (1954) and The Magnificent Seven (1960) following a screening with two other filmmakers. He passed, and his second audition was reading an introduction to The Bishop's Wife (1947) from a teleprompter.{{cite podcast |url=https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/14457427 |title=Ben Mankiewicz (Host of Turner Classic Movies) on Cinema Classics & Growing Up in a Legendary Family |number=36 |host=Goetz, Kevin (host) |website=Don't Kill the Messenger |date=February 7, 2024 |time=12:08 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519024750/https://dontkillthemessenger.kevingoetz360.com/2026579/14457427 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |url-status=live}} He returned home, where he asked his then-girlfriend to watch TCM, which was airing The Barefoot Contessa (1954), directed by his grand-uncle Joseph L. Mankiewicz.{{cite video |author=Turner Classic Movies |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InYWckXZznc |title=Ben Mankiewicz talks about his TCM Audition |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519025416/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InYWckXZznc |date=July 18, 2017 |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |access-date=May 18, 2024 |via=YouTube |url-status=live}}
In 2003, Mankiewicz was hired as a host for Turner Classic Movies, making his debut appearance on September 6.{{cite interview |url=http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0%2C%2C35501%7C34403%7C%7C%2C00.html |title=Interview With Ben Mankiewicz, TCM's Daytime Weekend Host |website=Turner Classic Movies |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031214194542/http://www.turnerclassicmovies.com/ThisMonth/Article/0,,35501%7C34403%7C%7C,00.html |archive-date=December 14, 2003 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/ben-mankiewicz-tcm-fun-facts-introductions-1203184152 |title=TCM at 25: Ben Mankiewicz on How to Make the Perfect Introduction |work=Variety |date=April 9, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409192508/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/ben-mankiewicz-tcm-fun-facts-introductions-1203184152 |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |url-status=live}} At the time, he was the network's second host with Robert Osborne being the first. To avoid imitating Osborne's style, Mankiewicz chose a loose, more casual demeanor, including sporting a goatee.{{cite news |last=Keegan |first=Rebecca |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/tcm-after-robert-osborne |title=How TCM Is Navigating a Post–Robert Osborne World |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=April 6, 2017 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409201752/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/04/tcm-after-robert-osborne |archive-date=April 9, 2017 |url-status=live}} According to Charles Tabesh, TCM's senior vice president of programming, this was encouraged. He reflected: "we really emphasized the differences [between them]. We asked him to have a goatee. We had him in a set that was a downtown loft, and his scripts were much less reverential."{{cite news |last=King |first=Susan |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/classichollywood/la-ca-mn-classic-hollywood-mankiewicz-20150802-story.html |title=Classic Hollywood: TCM host Ben Mankiewicz's path from snarky newbie to a classic in his own right |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 1, 2015 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803212431/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/classichollywood/la-ca-mn-classic-hollywood-mankiewicz-20150802-story.html |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=live}} Furthermore, Mankiewicz frequently uses sardonic humor in his on-air introductions; before a broadcast of Gigi (1958), he once joked the film was not to be confused with "Gigli, the 'Bennifer' disaster that won't get anywhere near the Oscars."{{cite news |last=Bernstein |first=Adam |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/grandson-of-citizen-kane-co-writer-continues-a-family-tradition-as-a-tcm-host/2013/06/14/2b63e5f2-cf85-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html |title=Grandson of 'Citizen Kane' co-writer continues a family tradition as a TCM host |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 14, 2013 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130615111833/https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/grandson-of-citizen-kane-co-writer-continues-a-family-tradition-as-a-tcm-host/2013/06/14/2b63e5f2-cf85-11e2-8f6b-67f40e176f03_story.html |archive-date=June 15, 2013 |url-status=live}} According to Vanity Fair, Mankiewicz's early appearances were disliked among older network audiences. Years since, he has worn more formal attire and adopted a clean-shaven image.
In 2012, desiring a lesser schedule due to past health concerns, Osborne began delegating weekday primetime hosting appearances over to Mankiewicz by the following year.{{cite web |last=Osborne |first=Robert |url=http://www.tcm.com/this-month/movie-news.html?id=518343&name=A-Note-from-Robert-Osborne-to-his-fans |title=A Note from Robert Osborne to his fans |date=October 1, 2012 |website=Turner Classic Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004014617/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/movie-news.html?id=518343&name=A-Note-from-Robert-Osborne-to-his-fans |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |access-date=April 25, 2024 |url-status=dead}} Mankiewicz's on-air appearances were also expanded to host the weekend programming blocks: Silent Sunday Nights and TCM Imports. In 2019, Jacqueline Stewart and Alicia Malone, respectively, were made the latest hosts for each block.{{cite web |url=http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/1471650%7C0/TCM-Imports-in-March.html |title=TCM Imports with Host Alicia Malone |website=Turner Classic Movies |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227071828/http://www.tcm.com/this-month/article/1471650%7C0/TCM-Imports-in-March.html |archive-date=February 27, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |last=Bitran |first=Tara |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jacqueline-stewart-is-turner-classic-movies-first-african-american-host-1237214/ |title=Jacqueline Stewart Becomes First African American Host at Turner Classic Movies |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 9, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708071215/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jacqueline-stewart-is-turner-classic-movies-first-african-american-host-1237214/ |archive-date=July 8, 2022 |url-status=live}} In 2016, TCM partnered with The Criterion Collection to launch a streaming service, FilmStruck. In 2018, the service added a curated collection branded as the "TCM Select," which featured exclusive introductions by Mankiewicz.{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-filmstruck-warner-bros-classic-films-warner-archive-shut-down-1202709741/ |title=Turner's FilmStruck Adds Warner Bros. Classic Films, As Warner Archive Service Winds Down |website=Variety |date=February 26, 2018 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226234132/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/turner-filmstruck-warner-bros-classic-films-warner-archive-shut-down-1202709741/ |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} In November of the same year, FilmStruck ceased operations.{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/filmstruck-shutdown-warnermedia-turner-1202998364/ |title=WarnerMedia's FilmStruck Subscription-Streaming Service to Shut Down |work=Variety |date=October 26, 2018 |access-date=January 3, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026150806/https://variety.com/2018/digital/news/filmstruck-shutdown-warnermedia-turner-1202998364/ |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live}}
In March 2017, Osborne died at the age of 84, in which Mankiewicz commemorated him, posting: "All of us at TCM are better for having known him – I know I am. His legacy is reflected in the shared love and appreciation we all have for the movies he cared so deeply about."{{cite web|last=Calvarino|first=Liz|url=https://deadline.com/2017/03/robert-osborne-dies-hollywood-reacts-to-tcm-host-death-twitter-1202037837/|title=Robert Osborne dies, Hollywood reacts to TCM host death|website=Deadline|date=March 6, 2017|access-date=January 2, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170306223340/https://deadline.com/2017/03/robert-osborne-dies-hollywood-reacts-to-tcm-host-death-twitter-1202037837/|archive-date=March 6, 2017|url-status=live}} He then succeeded Osborne as the channel's primetime host. As of 2025, Mankiewicz hosts the primetime lineup from Wednesdays to Sundays (his colleagues Dave Karger and Alicia Malone host the primetime lineup on Mondays and Tuesdays, respectively).{{cite news |last=Littleton |first=Cynthia |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/turner-classic-movies-25-anniversary-ted-turner-1203183315/ |title=How Turner Classic Movies Built a Marquee Brand by Catering to Film Fans |work=Variety |date=April 9, 2019 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409133826/https://variety.com/2019/tv/features/turner-classic-movies-25-anniversary-ted-turner-1203183315/ |archive-date=April 9, 2019 |url-status=live}}
In 2020, TCM and Mankiewicz launched an original podcast series titled The Plot Thickens, with the first season chronicling Peter Bogdanovich's filmmaking career.{{cite press release |url=https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/tcm-5/tcm-launches-podcast-plot-thickens-april |title=TCM Launches Podcast 'The Plot Thickens' in April |agency=WarnerMedia Podcast Network |date=March 30, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428033703/https://press.wbd.com/us/na/media-release/tcm-5/tcm-launches-podcast-plot-thickens-april |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |url-status=live}} A year later, the first season was named a Webby Honoree for Television & Film
Podcasts,{{cite web |url=https://winners.webbyawards.com/winners/podcasts/shows/television-film?years=3&awards=3 |title=Television & Film Podcasts—2021 |website=Webby Awards |access-date=July 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705010922/https://winners.webbyawards.com/winners/podcasts/shows/television-film?years=3&awards=3 |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |url-status=live}} and again in 2022 and 2023. The Plot Thickens was also awarded the Best Branded Podcast at the 2021 Adweek Podcast Awards.{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Kennyatta |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/here-are-2021s-adweek-podcast-of-the-year-winners/ |title=Here Are 2021's Adweek Podcast of the Year Winners |website=Adweek |date=December 13, 2021 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213110938/https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/here-are-2021s-adweek-podcast-of-the-year-winners/ |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription}} The second season chronicled the tumultuous production of The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990), the third profiled Lucille Ball, and the fourth season profiled Pam Grier.{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Mike |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pam-grier-tcm-plot-thickens-podcast-1235132796/ |title=TCM's Next 'Plot Thickens' Podcast: Pam Grier |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 20, 2022 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220421000029/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/pam-grier-tcm-plot-thickens-podcast-1235132796/ |archive-date=April 21, 2022 |url-status=live}} On June 6, 2024, the series' fifth season, which chronicled film director John Ford's life and career, began streaming.{{cite press release |url=https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/tcm-5/tcms-acclaimed-podcast-plot-thickens-returns-season-five-focusing-john-ford |title=TCM's Acclaimed Podcast The Plot Thickens Returns for Season Five Focusing on John Ford |agency=Warner Bros. Discovery |date=April 17, 2024 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240428035643/https://press.wbd.com/us/media-release/tcm-5/tcms-acclaimed-podcast-plot-thickens-returns-season-five-focusing-john-ford |archive-date=April 28, 2024 |url-status=live}} A sixth season chronicling the troubled production of Joseph L. Mankiewicz's Cleopatra (1963) is scheduled to begin streaming in July 2025.{{cite news |last=Barnes |first=Mike |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tcm-plot-thickens-podcast-cleopatra-1236199074/ |title=TCM's 'The Plot Thickens' Podcast Takes on 'Cleopatra' (Exclusive) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=April 23, 2025 |access-date=April 23, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250424052523/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/tcm-plot-thickens-podcast-cleopatra-1236199074/ |archive-date=April 24, 2025 |url-status=live}}
In 2023, Mankiewicz began hosting a second podcast series Talking Pictures, in which he interviewed several personalities, including Mel Brooks, Nancy Meyers, and Patty Jenkins.{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/tcm-ben-mankiewicz-podcast-mel-brooks-nancy-meyers-patty-jenkins-1235789760/ |title=TCM's Ben Mankiewicz Sets New Podcast Series Interviewing Filmmakers Including Mel Brooks, Nancy Meyers, Patty Jenkins (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116153016/https://variety.com/2023/digital/news/tcm-ben-mankiewicz-podcast-mel-brooks-nancy-meyers-patty-jenkins-1235789760/ |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |url-status=live}} A second season has been renewed,{{cite news |last=Spangler |first=Todd |url=https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/ben-mankiewicz-talking-pictures-podcast-season-2-1235943196/ |title=Ben Mankiewicz's 'Talking Pictures' Movie Interview Podcast Renewed for Season 2 at TCM and Max |work=Variety |date=March 19, 2024 |access-date=April 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240319130026/https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/ben-mankiewicz-talking-pictures-podcast-season-2-1235943196/ |archive-date=March 19, 2024 |url-status=live}} which began streaming in November 2024. It features interviews with Bill Murray, Margot Robbie, Carol Burnett, and Henry Winkler among others.{{cite web |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-soon-season-2-talking-pictures/id1722148571?i=1000674973639 |title=Coming Soon: Season 2 Talking Pictures |website=Apple Podcasts |date=October 30, 2024 |access-date=December 9, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210043331/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coming-soon-season-2-talking-pictures/id1722148571?i=1000674973639 |archive-date=December 10, 2024 |url-status=live}}
=Other ventures=
In 2008, Mankiewicz was hired to co-host the nationally syndicated television series At the Movies, alongside Ben Lyons.{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Anne |url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/lyons-mankiewicz-to-host-movies-1117989303/ |title=Lyons, Mankiewicz to host 'Movies' |work=Variety |date=July 22, 2008 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703040035/https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/lyons-mankiewicz-to-host-movies-1117989303/ |archive-date=July 3, 2017 |url-status=live}} While Lyons's credentials as a film critic were criticized, Mankiewicz received a favorable reception among television viewers.{{cite news |last=Lee |first=Chris |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-dec-28-ca-lyons28-story.html |title=Dumbing Down the Film Critic |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 28, 2008 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406091444/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2008-dec-28-ca-lyons28-story.html |archive-date=April 6, 2019 |url-status=live}} Regardless, this incarnation was cancelled after one season, and they were replaced by A. O. Scott and Michael Phillips. In response, Mankiewicz stated: "I loved working on this show, every moment of it ... It was an honor to continue a broadcast legacy not merely started by Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel, but created by them. No doubt the show is in good hands."{{cite news |last=Rosenthal |first=Phil |url=https://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/08/chicago-tribunes-michael-phillips-ny-times-ao-scott-in-on-at-the-movies-ben-lyons-ben-mankiewicz-out.html |title=Chicago Tribune's Michael Phillips, N.Y. Times' A.O. Scott take over 'At the Movies' |work=Chicago Tribune |date=August 5, 2009 |access-date=April 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110123210429/https://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/towerticker/2009/08/chicago-tribunes-michael-phillips-ny-times-ao-scott-in-on-at-the-movies-ben-lyons-ben-mankiewicz-out.html |archive-date=January 23, 2011 |url-status=live}}
Mankiewicz co-hosted the online film review series What the Flick?! on The Young Turks Network, alongside fellow critics Christy Lemire, Matt Atchity, and Alonso Duralde.{{Cite web|url=https://tytnetwork.com/|title=Home Page - TYT Network|website=TYT Network|language=en-US|access-date=September 30, 2016}} In August 2018, Lemire posted on her website What the Flick?! had officially ended.{{cite web |last=Lemire |first=Christy |url=https://christylemire.com/2018/08/30/what-the-flick-podcast-83018/ |title=What the Flick?! Podcast 8/30/18 |date=August 30, 2018 |access-date=July 4, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240705013839/https://christylemire.com/2018/08/30/what-the-flick-podcast-83018/ |archive-date=July 5, 2024 |url-status=live}} The series was reformatted into the web series and podcast Breakfast All Day hosted by Lemire and Duralde.{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breakfast-all-day-movie-reviews/id1448539528 |title=Breakfast All Day movie reviews |via=Apple Podcasts |access-date=November 6, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107011444/https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/breakfast-all-day-movie-reviews/id1448539528 |archive-date=November 7, 2024 |url-status=live}}
Mankiewicz has made cameo appearances in the Lifetime television movie The Bling Ring (2011) and the action film White House Down (2013). He also appears regularly on other shows as a political and media commentator, including The Michael Brooks Show in 2017.{{Citation|last=The Majority Report with Sam Seder|title=TMBS - Ep. 15 – Why Evangelicals Can't Quit Roy Moore ft. Ben Mankiewicz & Sarah Jones|date=November 14, 2017|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDiD1fmlYb8 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/qDiD1fmlYb8 |archive-date= December 19, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=January 9, 2018}}{{cbignore}} In 2019, he became a news contributor for CBS News Sunday Morning. He was among the people interviewed for the documentary film Memory: The Origins of Alien (2019).
Personal life
Mankiewicz married his second wife, Lee Russo, aboard the Disney Magic during the 2013 TCM Classic Cruise. They live in Santa Monica, California with their daughter.
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | The Bling Ring | Host | TV movie |
| 2012 | Ten Years of the Young Turks | Himself | |
| rowspan="2"| 2013 | White House Down | Reporter | |
| The Screenwriters: The Stars Behind the Camera | Himself | ||
| rowspan="4"| 2014 | TCM: Twenty Classic Moments | Host | TV movie |
| Mad as Hell | Himself | ||
| I Am Steve McQueen | Film critic | ||
| Hannibal: This Is My Design | Himself | ||
| 2015 | Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute | Himself | |
| 2017 | Faye Dunaway: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival | Host | |
| rowspan="3"| 2018 | Michael Douglas: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival | Host | |
| The Great Buster | Himself | ||
| The Producers: Q&A with Mel Brooks from the TCM Classic Film Festival | Moderator/Interviewer | ||
| 2019 | Memory: The Origins of Alien | Host, Turner Classic Movies | |
| rowspan="2"| 2020 | Mank | Broadcaster, Academy Awards | Voice role |
| Stuntwoman: The Untold Hollywood Story | Himself | ||
| rowspan="2"| 2021 | I Am Alfred Hitchcock | Himself | Voice role |
| Film, the Living Record of our Memory | Himself | ||
| 2023 | Dick Tracy Zooms In | Himself | TV movie |
| TBA | Untitled Mad As Hell Anthology Film | Himself | Post-production |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="2"| 2003 | The Practice | News Anchor | Episode: "Les Is More" |
| Summer Under the Stars | Host | ||
| 2004 | Cartoon Alley | Host | |
| 2006–2020 | The Young Turks | Host/Himself/Guest | 18 episodes |
| 2007–2008 | TMZ on TV | Himself | 3 episodes |
| 2007 | Big Love | News presenter | Episode: "Good Guys and Bad Guys" |
| 2008–2009 | At the Movies | Co-Host | 25 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2009 | Who Wants to Be a Millionaire | Guest Expert | 3 episodes |
| The Bonnie Hunt Show | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 2010–2015 | TYT Sports | Host/Anchor | 21 episodes |
| 2010–2017 | What the Flick?! | Host | 154 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2010 | Party Down | Sportscaster | Episode: "Cole Landry's Draft Day Party" |
| The Rotten Tomatoes Show | Himself | 4 episodes | |
| 2011; 2014 | The Point | Himself | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="4"| 2012 | TYT Arm Wrestling Tournament | Competitor | Episode: "Michael vs. Ben" |
| AM Northwest | Himself | Episode: "Ernest Borgnine" | |
| Hot Set | Host | Episode: "Alien Queen" | |
| SAG Foundation Conversations | Host | Episode: "Illeana Douglas" | |
| 2013 | The War Room with Michael Shure | Guest | 1 episode |
| 2014–2019 | Jeopardy! | Clue Giver/Video Clue Presenter | 4 episodes |
| rowspan="2"| 2015 | Mad as Hell: The Series | Himself | 4 episodes |
| AFI Life Achievement Award | Himself | Episode: "AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Steve Martin" | |
| 2016–2019 | TCM Guest Programmer | 21 episodes | |
| 2016 | The Cowboy | Himself | 2 episodes |
| rowspan="3"| 2017 | TCM Spotlight: 50 Years of Hitchcock | Host | 10 episodes |
| TCM Co-Host | Himself | Episode: "George Pal Tribute" | |
| The Michael Brooks Show | Himself | 1 episode | |
| 2018 | Good Day L.A. | Himself | 1 episode |
| 2019–2020 | The Very Very Best of the 70s | Himself/Commentator | 2 episodes |
| 2019–present | CBS News Sunday Morning | Himself/CBS News Correspondent | 17 episodes |
| rowspan="6"| 2019 | Private Screenings | Host | Episode: "The Best of Private Screenings" |
| TCM Presents: Never Surrender - WWII in the Movies | Host | 27 episodes | |
| TCM Presents: Out of This World | Host | 3 episodes | |
| The Movies | Himself | 6 episodes | |
| TCM Spotlight: Gridiron Glory - College Football in the Movies | Host | 13 episodes | |
| TCM Spotlight: Pets on Sets | Host | 12 episodes | |
| rowspan="5"| 2020 | The Simpsons | Himself | Episode: "Treehouse of Horror XXXI"{{cite web|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20201020fox12/|title=(SI-3117) "Treehouse of Horror XXXI"|date=October 20, 2020|work=The Futon Critic|access-date=August 1, 2022}} |
| Now Showing | Host | 48 episodes | |
| AFI Movie Club | Himself | Episode: "Ben Mankiewicz announces Ben Hur" | |
| Well, This Isn't Normal | Himself | Episode: "Ben Mankiewicz Has a Voice for Storytelling" | |
| The Essentials | Host | 20 episodes | |
| 2021 | Cartoon Network's Cartoonito | Himself | |
| 2022 | The Big Lie | Narrator | Podcast series |
| 2023
| rowspan="2" |AEW Dynamite |Presenter |Introduced 'Timeless' Toni Storm to the ring in a pre-taped video | |||
| 2024
|Himself |Appearanced in a pre-taped promo with 'Timeless' Toni Storm |
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{facebook|BenMankiewicz|Ben Mankiewicz}}
- {{IMDb name|1502382|Ben Mankiewicz}}
- [https://www.huffpost.com/author/ben-mankiewicz Ben Mankiewicz's articles for The Huffington Post]
{{TYT Network}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mankiewicz, Ben}}
Category:20th-century American journalists
Category:20th-century American male writers
Category:21st-century American journalists
Category:21st-century American male writers
Category:American film and television podcasters
Category:American film critics
Category:American male journalists
Category:American male non-fiction writers
Category:American people of German-Jewish descent
Category:American political podcasters
Category:American radio personalities
Category:American television hosts
Category:Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism alumni
Category:Georgetown Day School alumni
Category:Journalists from Washington, D.C.
Category:Mass media people from Washington, D.C.
Category:The Young Turks people