( ENSPIRE Entertainment ) The Actor and Producer Rising To The Spotlight With His Array of Films
ENSPIRE Contributor: Elizabeth Duchan
Ben Milliken is rising to new heights within the film industry. The executive producer and star of Paramount’s newly released “Mighty Oak,” which also features Raven-Symoné, Janel Parish, Alexa PenaVega, and Carlos PenaVega, has distinguished himself as a force to be reckoned with, both on-screen and behind the scenes.
Milliken was born in Manchester, England, and was an amateur boxer for ten years before pursuing a career in media and television. Under the guidance of Sandra Lee Paterson, he ventured into a film training school in Australia and soon after began landing roles in television shows and short films. After moving to Los Angeles, Milliken starred in Universal’s “Blue Crush 2” and Amazon Prime’s “Bosch.” He is also known for his acting in “Sonoro: The Devil’s Highway,” which nominated for ten Ariel Awards, as well as directing the feature film “Lake Alice,” which screened at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017.
Mighty Oak, his newest film, follows main-character Gina’s pursuit of reuniting her old band after meeting a young guitar prodigy, who she becomes convinced is the reincarnation of her deceased brother. The comedy-drama is the first original film to play in theaters during the pandemic and has received a plethora of positive reviews since. Milliken stars as the comedic British drummer of the band, Darby, but also had a role in the movie’s production. He describes the process as “an absolute blast,” explaining that the movie had a quick turn around and filmed in only two weeks, but that “everyone was able to come together and really pull it off.”
Though always eager to delve into new projects, Milliken describes his unexpected time off during the pandemic as a blessing in disguise. “What it’s really done is put into perspective my priorities, and how much time I actually invest in those priorities,” he said. Amid the turbulent political climate and global unrest, Milliken has been able to spend quality time with his family and forge stronger ties with his son, moments that he deems as irreplaceable.
Throughout his ongoing journey as an actor and producer, Milliken continues to gain immense amounts of personal growth. “My biggest takeaway has been the fact I’m always learning,” the actor said. “Every project is different, and I learn something new every time.” Milliken hopes to continue diving into a wide range of passion projects and collaborating with people who push him to new heights.
