Benji Schwimmer Explained

Benji Schwimmer
Website:Benji Schwimmer official website
Birth Name:Benjiman Daniel Schwimmer
Birth Date:18 January 1984
Birth Place:Newport Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation:Dancer, choreographer, actor
Years Active:2006–present
Television:So You Think You Can Dance
Parents:Buddy Schwimmer (father)
Relatives:Lacey Schwimmer (sister)
Heidi Groskreutz (cousin)

Benjiman Daniel Schwimmer (born January 18, 1984)[1] is an American professional dancer, choreographer, actor and director. He was the winner of the second season of So You Think You Can Dance (2006) and has choreographed for both the U.S. and the international versions of the show. He is the only dancer in the world to hold World titles in solo, partner and group divisions at the same time. Schwimmer works on TV, film and stage both in front and behind camera. He was the specialties choreographer for Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon a Time In Hollywood".

Early life

Schwimmer was born on January 18, 1984, in Newport Beach, California, and grew up in a Latter-day Saint (Mormon) household in Moreno Valley, California. He is the son of choreographer and West Coast Swing dancer Buddy Schwimmer.[2] His mother, Laurie Schwimmer, and sister, Lacey Schwimmer, are also renowned partner and solo dancers.[3]

He began acting at two, landing nationwide commercials for McDonalds, Pizza Hut, Power Wheels and a guest stint on Full House.

He started competing at five years old. He finished his studies early, and then taught dance at 17 years of age for one semester at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa.[4]

Schwimmer and his cousin, Heidi Groskreutz (Top 4 finalist on the same season of So You Think You Can Dance), are also U.S. Open and World Showcase Swing champions.[5] Schwimmer put dancing on hold to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) in the Mexican state of Oaxaca.[6] He returned afterwards to the dance circuit. He founded D.E.M.A.N.D., a non-profit organization that helps the less fortunate and provides health care for dancers with HIV/AIDS and other illnesses,[7] and was a co-owner of 5678 Dance Studio in Redlands since 2011.[8]

Career

After his two year mission and stint on So You Think You Can Dance tours, Schwimmer reclaimed his titles as both US and World Swing Champion with a new partner, Kellese Key in 2008.[9] He has never lost a routine competition.

Schwimmer also appeared in the independent film, Love N' Dancing, starring Amy Smart.[10] He was the cover story in a 10-page spread in "Dancer Magazine", January 9 issue, which featured his own photography.[11] Schwimmer also costarred in the comedy "Leading Ladies".[12]

Paula Abdul hired Schwimmer as her creative director and choreographer for her final performance on American Idol and for her opening show for VH1's Divas:Live '09. He also danced alongside her in both performances.

Working with his father, he choreographed[13] the short program of American figure skater Jeremy Abbott, which was first performed at the 2011 Cup of China. Benji has since choreographed for two different Winter Olympics, including Adam Rippon's "O" .

In 2018, Schwimmer announced his retirement from competing at The Open Swing Dance Champions, being the only dancer to win 14 World Titles with four different partners, never taking a loss.

Personal life

Schwimmer is gay. He came out publicly in 2012, after completing his choice of reparative therapy, struggling with his sexuality for a number of years. The catalyst for his decision was the death by suicide of two gay friends.[14] [15] [16] He has since left the LDS Church[17] and publicly criticized their policies against members of the LGBT community.

Awards

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Benji Schwimmer . So You Think You Can Dance . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20060705063445/http://www.fox.com/dance/bios/03_bschwimmer.htm . July 5, 2006.
  2. Web site: Dance . Access Hollywood . https://web.archive.org/web/20060907121456/http://video.accesshollywood.com/player.html?dlid=23456 . September 7, 2006.
  3. Web site: DanceDose - Benji Schwimmer . StarQuest . January 18, 2019 . March 25, 2021.
  4. Web site: Redlands dancer swings and becomes a star - San Bernardino County Sun . https://web.archive.org/web/20070313100906/http://www.sbsun.com/entertainment/ci_4335966 . dead . March 13, 2007 . Sbsun.com . September 6, 2012.
  5. Web site: 2005 Results . US Open Swing Dance Championships . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20141021225451/http://usopenswing.com/2005_division_winners.html . October 21, 2014.
  6. Web site: LDS Week Benji dance (life main) . Hollingshead . Natalie . September 27, 2006 . Daily Herald . March 25, 2021.
  7. Web site: Schwimmer a Winner on 'Dance' . Faber . Judy . August 17, 2006 . CBS News . March 25, 2021.
  8. Web site: Buddy Schwimmer Dance holds Grand Opening . March 29, 2011 . Redlands Daily Facts . March 25, 2021.
  9. Web site: 2008 Results . March 24, 2021 . The Open Swing Dance Championships . https://web.archive.org/web/20150907141529/https://usopenswing.com/2008_division_winners.html . September 7, 2015.
  10. Web site: Love 'N Dancing Full Cast & Crew . imdb.com . February 11, 2015.
  11. Web site: Benji Meets World . Dancer Magazine Issue . January 11, 2009 . March 24, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20090331151043/http://danceruniverse.com/stories/issues/200901/benji_meets_world-J3/ . March 31, 2009.
  12. Web site: Leading Ladies :: Official Movie Site . Leadingladiesmovie.com . September 6, 2012.
  13. Web site: icenetwork.com: News . Web.icenetwork.com . September 6, 2012 . September 26, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110926234353/http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110912&content_id=24581484&vkey=ice_news . dead .
  14. News: Benji Schwimmer's Naked Truth . Out Magazine . Shana Naomi Krochmal . June 18, 2012 . July 22, 2012 .
  15. Web site: 'SYTYCD' Champ Benji Schwimmer Comes Out as Gay in Fascinating Interview . Reality Rocks (New) - Yahoo! Music . Lyndsey Parker . June 4, 2012 . July 23, 2012 .
  16. Web site: Mormon Dance Champion Benji Schwimmer . Mormon Stories Podcast . May 30, 2012 . July 22, 2012 .
  17. Web site: October 19, 2018. 1000-1001: Benji Schwimmer – Life After Mormonism. January 20, 2021. Mormon Stories. en-US.
  18. Web site: 2001 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships . Streetswing.com . September 6, 2012.
  19. Web site: 2002 "Person of the Year" . USA Sing Dance Network . March 24, 2021.
  20. Web site: US Open awards . Usopenswingdc.com . September 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120511034044/http://www.usopenswingdc.com/benjiandheidi.html . May 11, 2012 .
  21. Web site: 2002 list of US Open Swing Dance winners . Usopenswingdc.com . September 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120824142503/http://www.usopenswingdc.com/2002_division_winners.html . August 24, 2012 .
  22. Web site: 2002 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships . Streetswing.com . September 6, 2012.
  23. Web site: US Open Swing Dance, 2005 division winners . Usopenswingdc.com . September 6, 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120204233859/http://www.usopenswingdc.com/2005_division_winners.html . February 4, 2012 .
  24. Web site: US Open Swing Dance, 2009 division winners . Usopenswingdc.com . September 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120526021558/http://usopenswingdc.com/2009_division_winners.html . May 26, 2012 . dead .
  25. Web site: 2011 U.S. Open Swing Dance Championships Winners . Usopenswingdc.com . September 6, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120405095259/http://www.usopenswingdc.com/2011_division_winners.html . April 5, 2012 . dead .
  26. Web site: 2013 . US Open Swing Dance Championships . March 24, 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141127192413/http://usopenswing.com/2013_division_winners.html . November 27, 2014.
  27. Web site: 2014 Results . US Open Swing Dance Championships . March 24, 2021 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141203073906/http://usopenswing.com/2014_division_winners.html . December 3, 2014.
  28. Web site: 2015 Results . The Open Swing Dance Championships . June 9, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160401114035/http://usopenswing.com/2015_division_winners.html . April 1, 2016 . dead.
  29. Web site: 2016 Competition Results and Videos – The US Open Swing Dance Championships. en-US. December 26, 2018.
  30. Web site: 2017 Competition Results – The US Open Swing Dance Championships. en-US. December 26, 2018.
  31. Web site: Judge Marks and Results Event Express Pro, LLC. eepro.com. December 26, 2018.

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