Benjamin Terrell Best (September 11, 1974 – September 10, 2021) was an American actor, writer, musician, and producer.
Best attended the University of North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, North Carolina with frequent collaborators Danny McBride, Jody Hill, and David Gordon Green.[1] It was with McBride and Hill that Best co-created the comedy series Eastbound & Down, which ran on HBO for four seasons from 2009 to 2013. Best appeared in eight episodes of the series as Clegg, a local bartender and Kenny's longtime friend.[2]
Best also co-wrote and co-starred with McBride and Hill in the cult indie movie The Foot Fist Way, directed by Hill. He also co-wrote the 2011 period fantasy comedy Your Highness, which starred McBride, James Franco and Natalie Portman, and was directed by Green.[3] It was also Best's last collaboration with McBride and Green.
Best’s acting credits also include Superbad, What Happens in Vegas, Observe and Report, and Land of the Lost.[4]
Best died on September 10, 2021, a day before his 47th birthday.[1]
Ben’s partner was Carrie Saunders (2011-death). Their daughter is Harper Courtney Best, born in 2014.