Ben Curtis (actor)
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Ben Curtis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Dell Dude |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–present |
Ben Curtis is an American actor who became known as the Dell Dude in a series of commercials for Dell Computers between 2000 and 2003. Since then, he has acted on stage and on screen.
Career
[edit]Dell commercials
[edit]As part of a commercial advertising campaign, Curtis portrayed the character Steven. The casting call asked for a boy 12 to 17 years old; Curtis was 20.[1] This advertising campaign popularized the phrase "Dude, you're getting a Dell". The commercials would usually feature Steven informing prospective buyers of all the perks of owning a Dell. When the party was sold on the idea, he would close with the catchphrase "Dude, you're getting a Dell." The campaign was a success and brought prominence to Dell and Curtis.[2]
Curtis's tenure with Dell ended shortly after he was arrested and accused of buying a bag of marijuana in 2003. Dell terminated the role and according to Curtis, he was blacklisted from the entertainment community, and it was difficult for him to find work.[1]
Later career
[edit]In 2005, Curtis played the role of Christian in the Off-Broadway comedy Joy by John Fisher. The show ran at the Actors' Playhouse in Manhattan's West Village from August 14 to September 25.[3]
In 2006, Curtis starred in the short film Raccoon opposite Jonathan Togo.[citation needed]
Curtis appeared in Take Me Out at NYU's Abe Burrows Theatre, and in Alexander Klymko's 2011 film Spy.[4]
Curtis has made various appearances in What Would You Do?
Curtis returned to Dell in internal training for Dell Technologies employees in 2022 to ask a question during Q&A for Dell leadership pertaining to Dell’s marketing strategy.[citation needed]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Rapturious | Specter | |
| 2009 | Echelon 8 | Richard | |
| 2011 | Spy | Jonathan Looke | Also associate producer |
| 2011 | We Are the Hartmans | Jordan | Also co-producer |
| 2017 | Beauty Mark | Billy |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Law & Order | Robert Cole | Episode: "Over Here" |
| 2009 | Mercy | Core Doctor | 5 episodes |
| 2013 | Method or Madness | Adam | Episode: "The Actors Support Group" |
| 2013–2020 | What Would You Do? | Various roles | 11 episodes |
| 2015 | The Jack and Triumph Show | Dell Dude | 2 episodes |
| 2015 | Chasing Life | Jared | Episode: "The Age of Consent" |
| 2016 | I Love You... But I Lied | Tommy | Episode: "Addicted" |
| 2017–2018 | John the Thief | Arvid Cranston | 5 episodes |
| 2018 | Orange Is the New Black | Mr. Sprang | Episode: "Changing Winds" |
| 2018 | The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Waylon Jones | Episode: "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy" |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Bully | Damon |
| 2008 | Midnight Club: Los Angeles | Joe |
| 2009 | Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony | The People of Liberty City / Conspire Caller |
| 2013 | Grand Theft Auto V | The Local Population |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Nolasco, Stephanie (10 May 2017). "What ever happened to the 'Dell Dude' Ben Curtis?". Fox News. Retrieved 11 December 2017.
- ^ "The mystery of the Dell dude." — by Rob Walker — Slate Magazine
- ^ "The Dell Dude shines Off-Broadway". Archived from the original on 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
- ^ "Where is the "Dude!" Dell Guy Now? - TheTodayNews.com". Archived from the original on 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2009-09-03.