Paul Benjamin

Paul Benjamin (born 1938) is a seasoned American actor known for his versatile performances across film and television.

Hailing from Pelion, South Carolina, Benjamin made his cinematic debut in 1969, portraying a bartender in the acclaimed film Midnight Cowboy. Following this, he secured a minor role in Sidney Lumet's The Anderson Tapes, but it was during the 1970s that he became more prominent through various television roles.

Among his noteworthy performances was a significant role in Barry Shear's Across 110th Street, along with smaller parts in films such as Gordon Parks' Leadbelly, Arthur Marks' Friday Foster, and Don Siegel's Escape from Alcatraz. Benjamin notably excelled in television adaptations of I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and Gideon’s Trumpet, and later starred in the HBO film The Man Who Broke 1,000 Chains, adapted from Robert E. Burns' novel.

In the 1990s, Benjamin collaborated with renowned directors, featuring in Spike Lee's Do The Right Thing, Robert Townsend's The Five Heartbeats, Bill Duke's Hoodlum, and John Singleton's Rosewood.

On the small screen, he made his mark in the 1994 pilot of ER, which led to a recurring role as Al Ervin, a homeless character. He also contributed to the American Masters documentary on Pulitzer Prize-winner Ralph Ellison, aired on PBS.

Post-2000, his focus shifted to independent films, including Stanley's Gig, The Station Agent, Deacons For Defense, and James Hunter's Back in the Day. Recently, he made a notable appearance in the indie film The Talk Man, directed by Gene Gallerano.