Luke Benward is a 28-year-old American actor, singer, producer and director, perhaps best known for portraying Dillon Sanders in the mystery-thriller television series “Ravenswood” from 2013 to 2014, and Will Cloud in the sports drama television movie “Cloud 9” in 2014.
Early life
Luke Aaron “LA” Benward was born on 12 May 1995, in Franklin, Tennessee USA. He has two younger sisters – Gracie, born on 21 February 1998, and Ella on 12 October 2000, both in Tennessee. Gracie is a script supervisor and has worked on movies such as “Birdie,” “Playing God,” and “Boys,” all in 2021. However, she attracted attention in May 2014 when the Teen Vogue media company filmed her trip to Disneyland with her best friend, actress Olivia Holt, for several videos in its “Besties” web series.
Ella is a social media personality whose Instagram account, elladove, has over 11,000 followers. Gracie was a dancer, while Ella played softball; unreliable sources suggest that Luke had a third sibling, but without details. Luke has been a football fan from a young age. Moreover, most people told him that he resembled his father physically, even as a kid.
Family
According to EthiCelebs, Luke is of German, English, Scots-Irish or Northern Irish, and Irish descent. Luke’s parents are Aaron, born on 13 September 1973, and Kenda Benward (née Wilkerson), born on 12 June 1971 in Franklin. They met in San Jose, California, USA, a few years before they tied the knot in 1994.
Kenda is an acting coach, model, part-time actress, and social media personality. She was best known for playing Valerie in the 2006 film “The Second Chance,” Lisa Thompson in the 2007 movie “Adrenaline,” and starring in “Cloud 9” alongside her son. Kenda shares pictures of her husband and family on her Instagram account, kendabenward, on which she has over 5,600 followers.
Luke’s father is best known as half of the Aaron Jeoffrey country duo, founded in 1995 with Luke’s paternal grandfather, Jeoffrey Keith Benward. Jeoffrey was born on 10 January 1952 in Fort Wayne, Indiana, US, started his music career in the 1970s, and was inducted into the Christian Music Hall of Fame in 2011. Luke’s paternal grandmother is Candice Benward, and his maternal grandparents are Janice Sue Conner and Jerry Woodruff Wilkerson. He has a paternal aunt, Sareece, and a paternal uncle, Colin.
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Early education, source of career
His paternal great-grandfather, Keith, was also a singer, making Luke the fourth-generation singer in his family; he’s said that he caught the acting bug by tagging along to his family members’ auditions and meetings. Luke’s family always urged him to treat it as an extracurricular activity, and set up an account but which he could only access once he turned 18, so he never felt pressured to perform. According to Franklinis, Luke attended a Williamson County Schools public district school in the US. Luke revealed that he hadn’t been bullied in school, but he got into a fight with a boy in the third grade, after which both were suspended. According to his old Facebook profile, @lukebenward.minuteman, Luke attended Grassland Middle School in Franklin and Holy Innocents’ High School in Singapore. He matriculated from Franklin High School in 2013.
Luke studied public health at Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Philippines, likely remotely, and possibly graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in construction management.
Career
Luke started his career in 2002 by playing the son of Mel Gibson’s character Hal Moore in the war movie “We Were Soldiers.” He was over his head as the topic, the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, was unsuitable for a five-year-old; moreover, Luke reportedly didn’t learn to read, yet his character had to recite the Lord’s prayer, which he didn’t know. Thankfully, the writers changed his line to a short pledge of allegiance to accommodate him. Luke also met his manager, Mitchell Gossett, at the movie set, and considered meeting fellow child actors Dakota Fanning, Daryl Sabara, and Alexa PenaVega ‘an early perk of his job.’
Three years later, he played Stevie in the movie “Because of Winn-Dixie” because his commitment to the audition set him apart. This time, Luke recited his lines with a toothpick in his mouth, which the casting director appreciated. Before the 2000s ended, Luke had two other notable film roles: Billy in “How to Eat Fried Worms” in 2006 and the 14-year-old Alan in the romantic movie “Dear John” in 2010. During the premiere of the former, Luke admitted to eating a worm, grass, and roly-poly or pill bug on a dare.
In 2012, after moving with his family to Los Angeles, California, Luke was cast as Matthew Pearson in three episodes of “See Dad Run,” the last of which premiered in March 2013. He had a notable role as Beau Landry in six episodes of “Good Luck Charlie” in 2013, then landed his best-known roles.
Luke’s most memorable role before the decade ended was in 2018 when he played Bo in the movie “Dumplin'” alongside Danielle Macdonald, Jennifer Aniston, Maddie Baillio, and Odeya Rush. He portrayed Luke in the R-rated thriller-drama theatrical film “Wildcat” in 2021.
Music and dance
The first hint that Luke would pursue music came in 2004 when he appeared in the music video for “That’s Cool,” a song by his father’s country duo Blue County. Some of his fans knew that he studied dance with Nick Bass, a well-known hip-hop choreographer, for roughly four years.
Luke started his music career in the late 2000s, and released his debut extended play (EP) album, “Let Your Love Out,” on 5 January 2009. Shortly afterwards, he toured about 50 cities with the iShine LIVE music group to promote his music. Moreover, Luke recorded a music video for his song “Everyday Hero,” in which his mother appeared. He was signed to iShine Records and Crowd Productions as a performing artist around that time but has yet to release another solo track or album. However, he performed the “Had Me @ Hello” song for the 2012 “Make Your Mark: Ultimate Playlist” album and the promotional single “Cloud 9” with actress and singer Dove Cameron for the 2014 “Disney Channel Play It Loud” album.
Current work
Luke only appeared in two episodes of the “Criminal Minds” television series, one in 2022 and another in 2023, after the COVID-19 pandemic ended. He admitted to Casting Networks that he did so deliberately, wanting to use the lockdown to switch things up, saying that he began writing scripts around 2015, realizing that directors always had the coolest job while working with them. Consequently, in 2021, Luke produced and directed the “Boys” short movie starring Cameron Crovetti, August Maturo, Jules Willcox, and Scott Reeves. Everyone involved was his friend or co-star at some point, and he purposefully didn’t act in it, wanting to let others have their moment under the spotlight.
Luke committed to more acting afterwards; in 2023, he played Tanner in the “Fog City” movie, and three movies involving him are in post-production in January 2024. Luke will play Andrew Thomas in “Lifeline,” Wes Holt in “Miss Valentine,” and Adam in “Don’t Log Off.” He’s also one of the producers and directors of “Don’t Log Off.”
Rumored girlfriend, Cristin McCleary
Luke reportedly dated Cristin, an American actress and model born on 10 July 1992.
Rumored flight with Indah Winsome
Luke allegedly hooked up with a woman named Indah Winsome in his late teens.
Ex-girlfriend, Olivia Holt
Luke met Olivia Hastings Holt while filming the 2012 fantasy teen comedy, “Girl vs. Monster,” in which she played the lead role. She is an American actress and dance-pop singer born on 5 August 1997 in Germantown, Tennessee State. They began dating in time to be each other’s prom dates and were called Disney Channel’s ‘it’ couple by the media for a few years. In 2014, Luke said that ‘she was the most beautiful and amazing human and that God knew what he was doing when he put her in his life.’ He called her his best friend, and she responded in kind. Thus, many media outlets reported that they had broken up. Other sources estimate that they dated until 2017.
Girlfriend Ariel Winter
Luke went on his first date with the American actress Ariel Winter Workman in December 2019. Ariel was born on 28 January 1998 and was best known for playing Alex Dunphy in the comedy series “Modern Family.”
Paparazzi spotted them outside a nightclub in Hollywood, Los Angeles, on 11 December, and Luke had his hand around her waist, suggesting that they had begun dating. An unnamed source confirmed their relationship to US Weekly in early January 2020, noting that Ariel moved on from her ex-boyfriend of three years and “Modern Family” co-star, Levi Meaden, after only three months. The couple later revealed that they officially started dating on 4 January.
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Luke confirmed their relationship on 28 January, wishing Ariel a happy birthday via Instagram and calling her ‘his bunny and a dream.’ The couple attended the screening of the “Burden” movie a month later, leaving no doubts about their relationship status.
Ariel wrote in 2021 that he was ‘the most special man who constantly gives her all the feels and is her safe space and guiding light.’ Shortly before, Luke called her ‘life-giving, a beautiful soul, and someone who has to offer everything the world needs.’ Ariel will play Annie in “Don’t Log Off.”
Favorite things, interesting facts
- About a year after his acting career debut, Luke appeared in the “Concrete Angle” music video by Martina McBride.
- Six years before he moved to Los Angeles, Luke said that he couldn’t imagine leaving his childhood home.
- His mother, Kenda, played his character’s mother in the “Dog Gone” movie from 2008.
- One of his sisters nearly landed a role in the 2006 movie “Little Miss Sunshine.”
- He has a fear of clowns– coulrophobia – and rarely watches horror movies.
- Luke’s favorite television series in 2013 was “The Walking Dead.” His favorite television series is the American version of “The Office.” He was addicted to watchingthe reality TV shows “90 Day Fiancé” and “The Masked Singer” in 2021.
- His favorite bands are The Beatles, Greta Van Fleet, and Kings of Leon.
- Luke’s favorite singers are Bruno Mars and Michael Bublé.
- Luke had a dog named Charlieand two cats, Scarlett and Pedro.
- As a child, his favorite colors were royal blue and bright orange.
- He cheers for the Tennessee Titans in the National Football League (NFL) and the Nashville Predators in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Luke plays basketball and golf, and enjoys any sport that makes him run around.
- His favorite video game in 2018 was “Fortnite.”
- He prefers a warm climate.
- Luke’s favorite Disney princess is Moana.
- Luke is a big fan of the “Pokémon” and “Star Wars” media franchises.
- His favorite musical is “Phantom of the Opera.”
- Luke’s favorite clothing item is a hat.
- His favorite Sith Jedi from “Star Wars” is Darth Maul.
- He enjoys exploring the outdoors; Sequoia National Park is one of his go-to hiking places. He also religiously watches documentaries about nature.
- Luke’s favorite number is 17.
- Luke speaks Spanish fluently.
- His character in “Criminal Minds” was named Benjamin Reeves. The writers likely chose it to honor actor Scott Reeves, one of his father’s best friends and the Blue County member.
- Luke’s favorite rapper is Eminem.
- His favorite director is Randall Wallace, who directed “We Were Soldiers.”
- Luke’s favorite football player is Tom Brady.
- Luke prefers auditioning the old-fashioned way, either recording a tape and then sending it to the physical address or improvising in front of the casting directors.
- He relates to Bob Marley’s quote, ‘The problem is that people are being hated when they are real and loved when they are fake.’
- Luke’s favorite superheroes are Spider-Man and Wolverine. His favorite villain is Joker.
Physical characteristics
Luke has light brown hair and green eyes. He’s 6ft 2ins (1.88m) tall and weighs about 180lbs (82kgs). Luke has an athletic physique and at least three tattoos. He had the words ‘the art of losing myself’ tattooed on his left biceps in 2014. Another tattoo, between his shoulder blades, was done with a single needle, consisting of a lion’s head between wines above a shield, which he claims is the Benward family crest. Luke also has a tattoo of a logo based on the “Star Wars” franchise on his right elbow.
Net worth
Luke has a net worth of about $300,000; he’s appeared in commercials for Hamburger Helper, Hardees, Willy Wonka, and American Express. In recent years, Luke has promoted the Raga Man brand and created personalized video responses or responses to direct messages (DMs) on Cameo.com for extra income.
Furthermore, Luke has supported the Saving Innocence charity organization.
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