Ben Lawson

Ben Lawson (born 6 February 1980) is an Australian actor. From 2006 until 2008, he played Frazer Yeats in the Australian soap opera Neighbours. The role earned him a Logie Award nomination. Lawson has since appeared in several American television series, including The Deep End, Covert Affairs, and Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23. In 2011, he starred opposite Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher in the film No Strings Attached. From 2017 to 2018, he starred as Damien Rennett on the ABC political drama Designated Survivor. He also played baseball coach Rick Wlodimierzin in the second season of 13 Reasons Why, and Larry Hemsworth on The Good Place. Lawson portrays Lachlan Murdoch in the 2019 film Bombshell, alongside his brother Josh Lawson who played James Murdoch. In 2021, he will star in the Netflix series Firefly Lane.

Early life
Lawson was born and raised in Brisbane, Queensland. He attended St. Joseph's College, Gregory Terrace and is a graduate of the National Institute of Dramatic Art (NIDA). He is the third of five boys, including Matt, Jordan, as well as Josh Lawson, an actor who is known for his appearances on Thank God You're Here, as well as Matt Lawson, a Senior Radiographer for radiology company Dr. Jones & Partners in Adelaide.

Career
Lawson began a starring role in the Australian soap opera Neighbours as Frazer Yeats in 2006. His role earned him a nomination for Most Popular New Male Talent at the 2007 Logie Awards. His character Yeats left in April 2008.

Lawson had a small role in the film No Strings Attached, which starred Natalie Portman and Ashton Kutcher. In August 2012, he landed a recurring role in the ABC sitcom Don't Trust the B in Apartment 23 as Benjamin, a love interest for main character Chloe (Krysten Ritter). . In 2017, Lawson starred in the short lived CBS drama Doubt opposite Laverne Cox. On The Talk, Cox said that Lawson was "an amazing actor". . In July 2017, Lawson was cast as MI6 agent Damien Rennett on the second season of the ABC political drama, Designated Survivor. In 2018, Lawson played high school coach Rick on the second season of the Netflix original series, 13 Reasons Why. In 2019, Lawson starred as Thomas 'Clay' Fox Jr. in Dolly Parton's Heartstrings, Netflix's anthology series about Dolly Parton. In 2021, Lawson will star in the Netflix series Firefly Lane opposite Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke.

In 2020 Lawson wrote the poetry book To My Country in response to the devastating Australian bushfires. An ode to the endurance of the Australian spirit and the love he has for his home country, proceeds from the book went to The Koala Hospital, a society focusing on preservation and conservation.