Ben Curtis (actor)

Last updated
Ben Curtis
Other namesDell Dude
OccupationActor
Years active2000–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.

Contents

Career

Dell commercials

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

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

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007RapturiousSpecter
2009Echelon 8Richard
2011SpyJonathan LookeAlso associate producer
2011We Are the HartmansJordanAlso co-producer
2017 Beauty Mark Billy

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007 Law & Order Robert ColeEpisode: "Over Here"
2009 Mercy Core Doctor5 episodes
2013Method or MadnessAdamEpisode: "The Actors Support Group"
2013–2020 What Would You Do? Various roles11 episodes
2015 The Jack and Triumph Show Dell Dude2 episodes
2015 Chasing Life JaredEpisode: "The Age of Consent"
2016I Love You... But I LiedTommyEpisode: "Addicted"
2017–2018John the ThiefArvid Cranston5 episodes
2018 Orange Is the New Black Mr. SprangEpisode: "Changing Winds"
2018 The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Waylon JonesEpisode: "Vote for Kennedy, Vote for Kennedy"

Video games

YearTitleRole
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

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References

  1. 1 2 Nolasco, Stephanie (10 May 2017). "What ever happened to the 'Dell Dude' Ben Curtis?". Fox News . Retrieved 11 December 2017.
  2. "The mystery of the Dell dude." — by Rob Walker — Slate Magazine
  3. "The Dell Dude shines Off-Broadway". Archived from the original on 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-11-17.
  4. "Where is the "Dude!" Dell Guy Now? - TheTodayNews.com". Archived from the original on 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2009-09-03.