Ben Kissel
Ben Kissel | |
|---|---|
 Kissel at the 2015 San Diego Comic-Con International | |
| Born | Benjamin Grant Kissel July 21, 1981 |
| Other names | Benjamin Kissel |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Height | 6 ft 7 in (201 cm) |
| Website | https://www.benkisselchannel.com |
Benjamin Grant Kissel (born July 21, 1981) is an American podcaster, comedian, actor, and television personality. He created The Last Podcast on the Left in which he discussed serial killers, dark history, and true crime stories. He also created Roundtable of Gentlemen[1] and Abe Lincoln’s Top Hat[2] where he discussed current events and politics with rotating guests.
Early life[edit]
Benjamin Grant Kissel was born in Fargo North Dakota[3] on July 21, 1981.
He is the son of a German immigrant father, Bengt Kissel who along with his mother, Laura, raised him in a deeply religious home.[4] [5]
Ben was the youngest of three boys and was raised in a controversial church called Daystar. The family eventually moved to Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
His parents were very politically active in the church and Pro-Life movement[6] with family dynamics being complicated by the fact that his two older brothers were gay[4] and the family was frequently taking in foster children.
Following high school, Ben attended UW-Stout where he began doing stand-up comedy at nineteen.[7] He transferred to UW-Milwaukee, eventually graduating with a degree in Political Science.[8]
In 2006 Kissel moved to Brooklyn, New York to continue his career in comedy.
Career[edit]
During his time in New York, he had many odd jobs with the most permanent one being that of a dog nanny.[7]
Ben began doing a show with the late Kevin Barnett called KBBK Comedy Deathmatch which hosted some of the biggest names in comedy at the time.[9] With members of former New York sketch group Murderfist[10] and Marcus Parks, Ben and Kevin created The Roundtable of Gentlemen.[11] Shortly after that show launched, Ben parlayed his knowledge of politics into the show Abe Lincoln’s Top Hat.[12]
Ben then created a horror/true crime comedy show The Last Podcast on the Left. Over the years LPOTL grew into an international hit with Ben as lead host. Ben traveled internationally, performing in some of the famous theaters of all time, including being the first podcast performer to do a show at Red Rocks in Denver, Colorado.[13]
Ben was regular on Fox News Red Eye[14], briefly replaced Alan Colmes on Fox News Radio, and in 2023 hosted two shows on Sirius radio's Faction Talk.[15]
Ben Kissel is a Webby Award recipient[16] and collaborated on the New York Times best-selling book The Last Book on the Left.[5]
In September of 2023, it was announced that Kissel would be temporarily absent from the Last Podcast on the Left amidst allegations which ranged from misconduct to physical violence.[17] Although Kissel has denied these allegations, in October of the same year, the remaining co-hosts released a statement that Kissel would not be returning to the show as he entered into therapy programs focused on his mental and physical health.[18]
In 2024, Kissel announced that he is working on a new show called The Ben Kissel Channel.
Comedy specials
Ben recorded three comedy specials with Last Podcast on the Left.
Politics[edit]
Ben Kissel identifies as an independent and in 2017, ran for Brooklyn Borough president against current NYC Mayor Eric Adams, receiving 1.8% of the vote.[19] Kissel’s platform included advocating for criminal justice reform,transportation issues in Brooklyn regarding the L Train, and rent control.[20][21]
References[edit]
- ^ "The Roundtable of Gentlemen (Podcast Series 2015– ) - Episode list". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Abe Lincoln's Top Hat". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "About". Ben Kissel Channel. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ a b "Podcasting Star Ben Kissel Is Running For Brooklyn Borough President!". Reason.com. 2017-06-07. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ a b Kissel, Ben; Parks, Marcus; Zebrowski, Henry (2020). The Last Book On The Left: Stories of Murder and Mayhem from History's Most Notorious Serial Killers. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. p. 293. ISBN 9781328566317.
- ^ It's Okay to Go - Ben Kissel, Former Evangelical Christian. Retrieved 2024-04-29 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ a b I AM NY: Ben Kissel. Retrieved 2024-04-29 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ Maas, Tyler (June 27, 2017). "UW-Milwaukee Alum Ben Kissel Combines Killers and Comedy on Last Podcast On The Left". Milwaukee Record. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
- ^ Shanley, Patrick (2019-01-22). "Kevin Barnett, Comedian & Co-Creator of 'Rel,' Dies". Billboard. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Young, Amy. "Last Podcast on the Left's Henry Zebrowski Talks Mixing Crime and Comedy". Phoenix New Times. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "The Roundtable of Gentlemen". The Last Podcast Network. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Abe Lincoln's Top Hat". Spotify. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Venues, Denver Arts &. "The Last Podcast On The Left | Denver Arts & Venues". www.artsandvenuesdenver.com. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "2020 Democrats take on the economy | Fox News Video". Fox News. 2019-05-12. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Editor, SiriusXM (2023-01-26). "Open Lines Episodes: Listen Live or on the SXM App". SiriusXM. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Henry Zebrowski, Ben Kissel and Marcus Parks on the Red Carpet at the 21st Annual Webby Awards. Retrieved 2024-04-29 – via www.youtube.com.
- ^ "Why is Ben Kissel no longer hosting 'Last Podcast on the Left'?". Deseret News. 2024-01-31. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ Allen, Joseph (2023-09-14). "Ben Kissel Left 'LPLH' and is Focusing on His Mental and Physical Health". Distractify. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Benjamin Kissel". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "'Tall man for the small man': Podcaster to show political documentary in Syracuse – Eagle News Online". 2024-04-01. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
- ^ "Hail Yourself, America!". Hail Yourself, America!. Retrieved 2024-04-29.
External links[edit]
- Ben Kissel at IMDb