Ben Mankiewicz

Acting

Ben Mankiewicz

Born

1967-03-25 (59)

Place of birth

Washington, D.C., USA

Known for

Acting

Credits

29 titles

Benjamin Frederick Mankiewicz (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?! 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 Tu…

Known for

The Simpsons poster
8.0

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.

The Simpsons

1989

CBS News Sunday Morning poster
6.8

The sparkling notes of a trumpet fanfare and the familiar logo of the sun alert viewers that it's time for CBS's Sunday morning staple. Journalist Jane Pauley helms the show, taking over hosting duties from Charles Osgood, who spent 22 years on the job. A morning talk show, this program airs at a different pace and focuses much of its attention on the performing arts. After a quick update of the day's news and national weather, correspondents offer longer-length segments on a variety of topics, from architecture to ballet to music to pop culture to politics.

CBS News Sunday Morning

1979

The Practice poster
7.6

A provocative legal drama focused on young associates at a bare-bones Boston firm and their scrappy boss, Bobby Donnell. The show's forte is its storylines about “people who walk a moral tightrope.”

The Practice

1997

Big Love poster
6.9

The story of Bill Henrickson and his life in suburban Salt Lake City, balancing the needs of his three wives -- Barb, Nicki and Margene-- their seven kids, three new houses and the opening of his newest hardware store. When disturbing news arrives about Bill's father, he is forced to reconnect with his polygamist parents who live on a fundamentalist compound in rural Utah.

Big Love

2006

The District poster
6.9

The District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department.

The District

2000

The Young Turks poster
6.1

Online American liberal/progressive political and social commentary program hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian

The Young Turks

—

Film credits

2020s · 7 titles

Mank poster
6.7

1930s Hollywood is reevaluated through the eyes of scathing social critic and alcoholic screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz as he races to finish the screenplay of Citizen Kane.

Mank

2020

Remembering Gene Wilder poster
7.3

This loving tribute to Gene Wilder celebrates his life and legacy as the comic genius behind an extraordinary string of film roles, from his first collaboration with Mel Brooks in 'The Producers', to the enigmatic title role in the original 'Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory', to his inspired on-screen partnership with Richard Pryor in movies like 'Silver Streak'.

Remembering Gene Wilder

2024

Film: The Living Record of Our Memory poster
7.8

Why are we still able, today, to view images that were captured over 125 years ago? As we enter the digital age, audiovisual heritage seems to be a sure and obvious fact. However, much of cinema and our filmed history has been lost forever. Archivists, technicians and filmmakers from different parts of the world explain what audiovisual preservation is and why it is necessary. The documentary is a tribute to all these professionals and their important work.

Film: The Living Record of Our Memory

2022

Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story poster
6.1

Chronicles the lives of women who perform the stunts in some of Hollywood’s biggest action sequences — from the early days of silent movies to today’s blockbusters.

Stuntwomen: The Untold Hollywood Story

2020

Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In poster
6.0

Film experts Leonard Maltin and Ben Mankiewicz interview famous detective Dick Tracy about his life and career, with a surprise appearance by legendary actor and director Warren Beatty.

Dick Tracy Special: Tracy Zooms In

2023

'Tis the Season: The Holidays on Screen poster
5.0

A CNN Documentary covering the history and impact of Christmas movies and TV.

'Tis the Season: The Holidays on Screen

2022

No artwork available
NR

This documentary delves into the nuances of Hollywood's Jewish history, exploring how the shared backgrounds of the industry founders weave together a complex immigrant story characterized by both oppression and innovation.

From the Shtetl to the Studio: The Jewish Story of Hollywood

2024

2010s · 9 titles

White House Down poster
6.5

Capitol Policeman John Cale has just been denied his dream job with the Secret Service protecting President James Sawyer. Not wanting to let down his little girl with the news, he takes her on a tour of the White House, when the complex is overtaken by a heavily armed paramilitary group. Now, with the nation's government falling into chaos and time running out, it's up to Cale to save the president, his daughter, and the country.

White House Down

2013

The Bling Ring poster
4.9

At the center of one of Hollywood's most notorious burglary rings in 2009 was a group of average, middle-class teens from a quiet suburb. This is the behind-the-scenes story of how Nick, a shy, awkward boy, lured by the promise of popularity and acceptance, found himself following his glamorous, charismatic best friend Rachel into breaking into celebrities' houses and robbing them of millions of dollars in clothes and jewelry.

The Bling Ring

2011

I Am Steve McQueen poster
6.1

A walk through the incredible personal and artistic history of legendary actor, race car driver and cultural icon Steve McQueen (1930-80).

I Am Steve McQueen

2014

The Great Buster: A Celebration poster
7.2

A celebration of the life and career of one of America's most influential and celebrated filmmakers and comedians—Buster Keaton—whose singular style and fertile output during the silent era created his legacy as a true cinematic visionary.

The Great Buster: A Celebration

2018

Memory: The Origins of Alien poster
6.4

The untold origin story behind Ridley Scott's Alien - rooted in Greek and Egyptian mythologies, underground comics, the art of Francis Bacon, and the dark visions of Dan O'Bannon and H.R. Giger. A contemplation on the symbiotic collaborative process of movie-making, the power of myth, and our collective unconscious.

Memory: The Origins of Alien

2019

Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute poster
NR

Friends and family surprise Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne at the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival with a tribute to his twenty years with the network.

Robert Osborne's 20th Anniversary Tribute

2015

Michael Douglas: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival poster
NR

Taped before a live audience at Hollywood's Montalbán Theatre during the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival, Academy Award-winning actor and producer Michael Douglas sits down with host Ben Mankiewicz for a discussion of his life and career.

Michael Douglas: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival

2018

Faye Dunaway: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival poster
NR

Taped before a live audience at Hollywood's Montalbán Theatre during the 2016 TCM Classic Film Festival, Academy Award-winning actress Faye Dunaway sits down with host Ben Mankiewicz for a discussion of her life and career.

Faye Dunaway: Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival

2017

Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival: Norman Lloyd poster
NR

Norman Lloyd discusses his career in front of a live audience.

Live from the TCM Classic Film Festival: Norman Lloyd

2016

Series credits

The Simpsons poster
8.0

Set in Springfield, the average American town, the show focuses on the antics and everyday adventures of the Simpson family; Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, as well as a virtual cast of thousands. Since the beginning, the series has been a pop culture icon, attracting hundreds of celebrities to guest star. The show has also made name for itself in its fearless satirical take on politics, media and American life in general.

The Simpsons

1989

CBS News Sunday Morning poster
6.8

The sparkling notes of a trumpet fanfare and the familiar logo of the sun alert viewers that it's time for CBS's Sunday morning staple. Journalist Jane Pauley helms the show, taking over hosting duties from Charles Osgood, who spent 22 years on the job. A morning talk show, this program airs at a different pace and focuses much of its attention on the performing arts. After a quick update of the day's news and national weather, correspondents offer longer-length segments on a variety of topics, from architecture to ballet to music to pop culture to politics.

CBS News Sunday Morning

1979

The Practice poster
7.6

A provocative legal drama focused on young associates at a bare-bones Boston firm and their scrappy boss, Bobby Donnell. The show's forte is its storylines about “people who walk a moral tightrope.”

The Practice

1997

Big Love poster
6.9

The story of Bill Henrickson and his life in suburban Salt Lake City, balancing the needs of his three wives -- Barb, Nicki and Margene-- their seven kids, three new houses and the opening of his newest hardware store. When disturbing news arrives about Bill's father, he is forced to reconnect with his polygamist parents who live on a fundamentalist compound in rural Utah.

Big Love

2006

The District poster
6.9

The District is a television police drama which aired on CBS from October 7, 2000 to May 1, 2004. The show followed the work and personal life of the chief of Washington, D.C.'s Police Department.

The District

2000

The Young Turks poster
6.1

Online American liberal/progressive political and social commentary program hosted by Cenk Uygur and Ana Kasparian

The Young Turks

—

Sugar poster
7.1

John Sugar is a dashing private eye navigating the dark corners of sunny LA. Though he sees only the good in humanity, Sugar is haunted by a secret too dangerous to expose.

Sugar

2024

Party Down poster
7.5

A group of struggling actors and dysfunctional dreamers wait for their big break while they are stuck serving hors d'oeurves for a Hollywood catering company 'Party Down.'

Party Down

2009

100 Years of Warner Bros. poster
7.6

Tracing a century of movie and TV history, these four documentary specials explore the unparalleled global impact of Warner Bros. on art, commerce, and culture.

100 Years of Warner Bros.

2023

John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in L.A. poster
5.9

In six live installments, John Mulaney explores Los Angeles during a week when pretty much every funny person is in town.

John Mulaney Presents: Everybody's in L.A.

2024

No artwork available
8.0

Cartoon Alley is an American television program that aired on Turner Classic Movies every Saturday Morning at 11:30 AM ET. Hosted by Ben Mankiewicz, the series featured three classic animated shorts from the 1930-1950's per episode. Most shorts were from The Golden Age of American animation. Each of the three shorts focused on a common theme. Most shorts came from Warner Bros., MGM, and Paramount, but during the show's first season Cartoon Alley featured shorts from the Gaumont Film Company. Many recognizable characters have been featured in at least one episode such as Bugs Bunny, Popeye, Porky Pig, Tom and Jerry, and others not so famous such as Goopy Geer and The Captain and the Kids. The shorts often appeared uncut and uncensored, and the more controversial cartoons were often introduced with a brief warning by Mankiewicz about the ethnic stereotypes being portrayed. The network's logo was only featured for a brief time, usually during the last short featured. From November 2004 to September 2005 the series was featured just once a month but after popular demand the series became a weekly feature. This series never aired in February because of TCM's 31 Days of Oscars programming. The series was canceled in autumn of 2007.

Cartoon Alley

2004

Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast poster
NR

TCM host Ben Mankiewicz in conversation with iconic filmmakers and writers as they discuss their earliest film memories, favorite films, creative influences and guilty pleasures.

Talking Pictures: A Movie Memories Podcast

2026

The Cowboy poster
NR

The Cowboy chronicles the birth and rise of the cowboy on the silver screen, and the creation of America's most enduring legend. Motion pictures have been the engine that cemented the cowboy as the most recognized, beloved and celebrated of all American icons, and these films also fueled the rise of the cowboy in pop culture, literature, art, music, fashion and television.

The Cowboy

2016