Benjamin Bryant (born January 13, 1977) is a Germany-born American broadcaster, writer, and Emmy-nominated filmmaker. Serving as a public servant in the Obama and Biden Administrations, he also works as an artist and actor. During the Afghan evacuation in 2021, Bryant coordinated the emergency evacuation of Afghan allies and families, and served as a spokesperson for the "Digital Dunkirk" coalition.
Bryant produced the Vietnam veteran tribute special "Welcome Home! Honoring Your Legacy," for which he received a 2024 Capital Emmy Award nomination. He also wrote and directed the feature film Station to Station and sitcom "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him)," co-executive produced the drama Anacostia, and hosts “The Brink with Benjamin Bryant.” As an actor, Bryant portrays "Gregory Marshall" on the serial Forever and a Day, a role for which he received a 2022 Indie Series Award.
In 1996, Bryant was serving as a radio news intern at Austin radio station KKMJ when the Atlanta Olympic Bombing occurred.[6] Following coverage of his impromptu overnight reporting by Austin American-Statesman columnist Jane Grieg, he was offered a regular on-air role at KKMJ and named Program Director for sister station, KJCE.[7][8]
Bryant later worked as a freelance journalist[9] and columnist before focusing on public relations and crisis communications consulting. He was a writer and editor for the Deepwater News and FHP&R: Force Health Protection & Readiness magazine.[10] He returned to broadcasting as the host of the “BZCast” podcast in 2017, including an exploration of leaking and whistleblowing in the federal government,[11] and in 2018 with “The Brink with Benjamin Bryant,” a series of one-on-one interviews focusing on Washington D.C. notables, and its spin-off serialized investigative podcast.[12] In 2018, Bryant also appeared in a non-partisan public service announcement entitled "The One Place Everyone is Equal."[13]
Between 2005 and 2009, Bryant served as a speechwriter for Rear Admiral Patrick Stillman of the United States Coast Guard, Ellen Embrey, then-Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Force Health Protection and Readiness, and communications advisor for James Finley, then-Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology during the George W. Bush administration.[14]
From late 2009, Bryant's public service has primarily focused on high profile task force and commission work. In 2009, he briefly supported the Congressional Wartime Contracting Commission effort as a contractor, before joining the Pentagon's Fort Hood Shooting Task Force in the aftermath of the November 2009 shooting. Subsequently, he served as Editor-in-Chief for the Pentagon's “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Working Group, led a Pandemic Influenza Program Assessment for the City of Virginia Beach, and served as a senior team lead for Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (for which he also served as the agency's final spokesperson).
During this time, Bryant made multiple appearances on America Tonight speaking to military issues in the news,[15][16][17] and in 2011, news reports covered Bryant and Thomas Zamberlan's donation of their original editor's copies from several Presidential and DoD task forces to the Smithsonian Institution.[18] That same year, the Dolph Briscoe Center for American History at Bryant's alma mater University of Texas at Austin, acquired Bryant's personal notes, papers, and recorded recollections related to his work on the Fort Hood investigation and "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeals.[19]
In 2010, Bryant co-founded the Bryant Zamberlan Group with Zamberlan, and has served as the Managing Partner, overseeing efforts including global communications and organizational development consultation, TV/film production, and BZ/MP, producing a news/information and media distribution projects, primarily in-between term-limited Government projects[20]
In 2022, Bryant returned to government task force and commission work, joining The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration as Chief of Staff, Task Force 23-Operation Welcome Home, the task force within the commission charged with planning and executing an $8M three-day 50th anniversary commemoration in May 2023 – including ceremonies, historical displays, and a multi-media concert on the National Mall – in recognition of the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War-era veterans and their families. In addition to his Chief of Staff duties, Bryant specifically oversaw the planning, programming, and production of the multimedia concert, featuring The United States Army Band and other military performers, football player Joe Theismann, former Miss America and ESPN reporter Sharlene Wells-Hawkes, singer Lee Greenwood, and actor Robert Patrick, among others, as well as remarks from PresidentJoe Biden and Secretary of DefenseLloyd Austin and a subsequent broadcast adaptation of the concert. [21][22][23] Following the conclusion of "Operation Welcome Home," Bryant agreed to stay on as a special assistant and senior advisor to MG Edward Chrystal, Jr., the commemoration's director, through October 2024.
In 2021, during the weeks leading up to the withdrawal of American troops and international presence from Afghanistan, Bryant facilitated the emergency evacuation of Afghan allies and their families and served as a planner and spokesperson for the "Digital Dunkirk" coalition of former and current military, diplomatic personnel, and government civilians working to coordinate evacuations.[32][33][34][35][36]
In 2024, Bryant served as a volunteer planner and host/master of ceremonies for the Department of Defense's "Bring Your Child to Work Day" concert and program at the Pentagon, working with multiple military and civilian organizations (including the Walt Disney Corporation) on an all-day program of events and activities for more than 9,000 military families and guests.
Bryant began producing narrative television and film projects in 2016, first joining the digital series Anacostia at the start of its fifth season, as a supervising producer.[38] Beginning with episode five, Bryant was named co-executive producer of the series, a role he continued until September 2019.[39] He occasionally recurred on the series in the role of news anchor "James Vance," an homage to Washington D.C. news anchor Jim Vance.[40]
In 2020, Bryant began production on the sports comedy Aidy Kane, but suspended filming in March 2020 due to coronavirus pandemic.[45] He later repackaged the existing footage with newly shot scenes into the four-time ISA-nominated sitcom, "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him."[46][47] That year, Bryant also debuted in the series regular role of troubled businessman "Gregory Marshall" on the dramatic serial Forever and a Day.[48]
Bryant has appeared in four of writer-director Brooke B's "Script Out Loud" audio feature productions, Birthday Blues,Selling the Act, All I Want for Christmas is Drew, and Parently Ever After, as well as the Brooke B audio series "Dirty Laundry" and "What Goes Around."[49][50][51] He portrayed "Nolan," the Nutcracker Prince, in JLJ Media's podcast special The Sugar Plum Fairy and the Nutcracker[52][53] from Molina Productions, a role he reprised as a series regular on "The New Adventures of the Tooth Fairy" series from the same team.[53] In 2023, Bryant joined the audio serial "Heritage" from Galen Roberts and "Forever and a Day" creator Casey S. Hutchison.
During the 2020 coronavirus lockdown, Bryant began writing the psychological drama, Station to Station, directing the film on location in September, keeping cast and crew in an isolated "bubble" to adhere to COVID-19 health and safety protocols. In 2021, the film began its festival run, marking Bryant's official debut as a feature film writer and director.[54][55]
Markos Papadatos of Digital Journal called the film "compelling" and "bold,"[54] and K.P. Smith of We Are Entertainment News called it "deeply satisfying."[55] Both reviewers compared Bryant's work to that of writer-directors Paul Thomas Anderson and Richard Linklater.[56][55]Station to Station won "Best Narrative Feature," "Best Actor," and "Best Ensemble" in June 2021 at the IndieEye Film Awards[57] and received multiple honors from IndieFEST and FILMHAUS Berlin in the following months.[58][59] Bryant was specifically recognized by FILMHAUS with "first-time director" and "original concept" nominations.[59]
In October 2021, the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival announced Station to Station as both an Official Selection and the festival's opening night feature.[60] The film premiered in competition, earning eight jury nominations, including as a finalist for the festival's Best Drama Feature, winning two,[61] and was selected by attendees to receive the 2021 "Audience Award."[62] On January 8, 2022, Station to Station was released via virtual cinema in the United States.[63]
In December 1996, Bryant was named by the Austin American-Statesman as one of its year's "most memorable" following his notable broadcasting debut the night of the 1996 Olympic bombing.[64]
In 2022, he received six nominations (the second highest of any individual nominee that year) for the 12th Annual Indie Series Awards in 2022, including nominations for "Best Comedy Series" and "Best Supporting Actor - Comedy" nominations for "Aidy Kane (Really Wants You to Love Him)" and "Best Actor - Audio Fiction" for his second season performance as "Gregory Marshall" in "Forever and a Day."[65][47] At the ceremony on April 9, 2022, Bryant and his "Forever and a Day" season two castmates won the awards program's inaugural "Best Ensemble - Audio Fiction" award.[66] (Bryant received one previous nomination in 2018 as part of the "Anacostia" producing team.)
In May 2024, Bryant was nominated for a Capital Emmy by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for his work on "Welcome Home! Honoring Your Legacy," the broadcast/streaming version of the 2023 "Welcome Home!" Vietnam Veterans tribute event on the National Mall he produced.[67]
Bryant has also received a variety of peer and industry awards throughout his career, including a 2010 Platinum MarCom "Special Category" Award for his work as the Managing Editor of the report of the Fort Hood Task Force, 2012 Davey Award for his appearances on "America Tonight," 2019 Communicator Award of Distinction for "The Brink with Benjamin Bryant" interview specials; multiple Platinum AVA and Hermes Creative Awards for "The Brink with Benjamin Bryant: INTERSECTIONS" podcast;[20][68][69][70][71] and a 2020 Hermes Creative Award for the trailer for "Journeys Beyond."[20][71][68][69][70] Additionally, as a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Bryant has received multiple shared commendations and awards from the United States Coast Guard and Department of Homeland Security.
The Edgar Allan Poe Awards, popularly called the Edgars, are presented every year by the Mystery Writers of America which is based in New York City. Named after American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), a pioneer in the genre, the awards honor the best in mystery fiction, non-fiction, television, film, and theater published or produced in the previous year.
Excelsior University is a private online university in Albany, New York. It offers undergraduate and graduate degrees and comprises three schools: the school of undergraduate studies, the school of graduate studies, and the school of nursing. It serves mostly non-traditional, adult working students through distance education programs.
Timothy Richard Heidecker is an American comedian, writer, director, actor, and musician. Along with Eric Wareheim, he is a member of the comedy duo Tim & Eric.
Kate McKinnon Berthold is an American actress and comedian. She was a cast member on the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live from 2012 to 2022, where she became known for her character work and celebrity impressions. For her work on the series, she was nominated for ten Primetime Emmy Awards, including one for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics and nine for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series, winning in 2016 and 2017.
John Theodore Rossi is an American actor and producer. He portrayed Juan Carlos "Juice" Ortiz on the FX series Sons of Anarchy (2008–2014) and Hernan "Shades" Alvarez in Luke Cage (2016–2018). In 2024, he portrayed Dr. Julian Rush on the HBO series The Penguin (2024). His film roles include Tino Hull in Red Sands (2009), Todd in Bad Hurt (2015), Francisco "Ghost" Alvarez in Lowriders (2017), Deuce in Vault (2019), and Youcef in Emily the Criminal (2022), the latter of which earned him an Independent Spirit Award nomination.
Aidan Mackenzy Bryant is an American actress and comedian. Bryant is most notable for being a cast member on the NBC late-night sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live for ten seasons, joining the show for its 38th season in 2012, and leaving at the end of its 47th season in 2022. For her work on the series she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including two nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
Anacostia is a soap opera web series that premiered on October 15, 2009 on YouTube. It was created by Anthony A. Anderson, who also stars in, writes, produces, and directs the series. Anacostia chronicles the drama among residents of the titular community in Washington, D. C. Guest star Martha Byrne later became an executive producer on the series.
The Ringer is a sports and pop culture website and podcast network, founded by sportswriter Bill Simmons in 2016 and acquired by Spotify in 2020.
Janicza Bravo is an American film director, film producer, and screenwriter. Her films include Gregory Go Boom, a winner of the short-film jury award at the Sundance Film Festival; Lemon, co-written with Brett Gelman; and Zola, co-written with playwright Jeremy O. Harris.
Talkhouse is a digital media outlet and online magazine created in 2013 by Ian Wheeler and Tim Putnam. Musicians, actors, and filmmakers share their experiences in their respective fields in personal essays, discuss their peers’ work in editorials and reviews, and converse with one another via the Talkhouse Podcast and Talkhouse Live events.
Shrill is an American comedy television series developed by Aidy Bryant, Alexandra Rushfield, and Lindy West, based on West's book Shrill: Notes from a Loud Woman. The series premiered on March 15, 2019, on Hulu, and stars Bryant in the lead role.
Conner O'Malley is an American comedian, writer, actor, and social media personality. For his work on Late Night with Seth Meyers, he received three Writers Guild of America Awards nominations. He produces videos on YouTube, and was active on the now defunct social media platform Vine. O'Malley has also appeared on Broad City and Joe Pera Talks with You. He is married to actor and fellow comedian Aidy Bryant.
Patti Harrison is an American actress and comedian. She is best known for her roles in comedy series such as Shrill (2019–2021) and I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson (2019–present), as well as the comedy film Together Together (2021), with the latter earning her a nomination for the Independent Spirit Award for Best Female Lead.
The forty-fifth season of the NBC sketch comedy series Saturday Night Live premiered on September 28, 2019, during the 2019–20 television season with host Woody Harrelson and musical guest Billie Eilish, and concluded on May 9, 2020 with host Kristen Wiig and musical guest Boyz II Men. This season featured the return of Eddie Murphy as host, on December 21, 2019, for the first time in 35 years. Murphy's episode was the most watched episode since 2008.
Margaret Killjoy is an American author, musician, and podcast host. She is best known for her speculative fiction in the fantasy and folk horror genres, in particular for her two-book Danielle Cain series. Killjoy is involved in several musical projects across genres, including black metal, neofolk, and electronica. She founded the feminist black metal band Feminazgûl in 2018.
Around the Sun: An Episodic Audio Drama is a scripted podcast series. Each anthology episode pairs two characters in a short scene that addresses a specific social issue. Production began during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States.
Station to Station is a 2021 psychological drama written and directed by Benjamin Bryant. Filmed in a production bubble during the coronavirus pandemic, Station to Station was selected as the opening night feature for the 2021 Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival, where it received multiple jury nominations including for Best Film, and won two, including the festival's Audience Award. The film was first released wide in the United States on January 8, 2022.
Forever and a Day is a serial drama, podcast, and audio drama created by Casey S. Hutchison. The podcast follows the lives of three families in the fictional town of Augustus, Illinois.
The Free Press is an American Internet-based media company based in Los Angeles, California, founded by Bari Weiss and Nellie Bowles. The newsletter was first published in 2021 while its associated media company officially launched in 2022.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards, honoring the best independent films and television series of 2023, were presented by Film Independent on February 25, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, California, and was hosted by American actress and comedian Aidy Bryant. For the second year in a row, the ceremony was streamed live on the YouTube channels of both IMDb and Film Independent, among other social platforms.
↑ Togo D. West, Jr; Vern Clark (2010-01-15). Protecting the Force: Lessons from Fort Hood. Anthony C. Cain (chief editor); Donald Gabrielson (assistant editor); Benjamin Bryant (managing editor); Thomas Zamberlan (technical editor); James Schwenk (legal advisor). Department of Defense.
↑ Jeh C. Johnson; Carter F. Ham (2010-11-30). Comprehensive Review of the Issues Associated with a Repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". Gerald F. Goodwin (lead writer); Benjamin Bryant (lead editor); Gary Packard (writer); Jenny Caruso (writer); Linell Letendre (writer); Jonathan Lee (writer); James Cadogan (writer); Robert Trost (writer); Thomas J. Zamberlan (technical editor). Department of Defense.
↑ Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (2014-07-03). Interim Report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. Jr; Larry L. Pressler; Stephen E. Buyer; Dov S. Zakheim; Michael R. Higgins; Peter W. Chiarelli; Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr; J. Robert Kerrey; Bob Kerrey; and Christopher P. Carney; Robert Daigle | Bob Daigle; Nancy Crisman; Elizabeth Berrigan | Beth Berrigan; Benjamin Bryant | Ben Bryant; Donald Cicotte | Don Cicotte; Moira Flanders; James Graybeal | Jamie Graybeal; Lyle Hogue; Wendy LaRue; Christopher Meyer | Chris Meyer; Mark Murphy; Christopher Nuneviller | Chris Nuneviller; Christy Samuels; Thomas Zamberlan | Tommy Zamberlan; Alexis Lasselle Ross; Susan Schleigh Alphonso Maldon. United States Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.
↑ Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission (2015-01-29). Final Report of the Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission. Jr (chairman); Larry L. Pressler; Stephen E. Buyer; Dov S. Zakheim; Michael R. Higgins; Peter W. Chiarelli; Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr; J. Robert Kerrey; Bob Kerrey; and Christopher P. Carney; Robert Daigle | Bob Daigle; Nancy Crisman; Elizabeth Berrigan | Beth Berrigan; Benjamin Bryant | Ben Bryant; Donald Cicotte | Don Cicotte; Moira Flanders; James Graybeal | Jamie Graybeal; Lyle Hogue; Wendy LaRue; Christopher Meyer | Chris Meyer; Mark Murphy; Christopher Nuneviller | Chris Nuneviller; Christy Samuels; Thomas Zamberlan | Tommy Zamberlan; Alexis Lasselle Ross; Susan Schleigh Alphonso Maldon. Military Compensation and Retirement Modernization Commission.
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