Wikipedia

Benjamin Pajak

Benjamin Pajak (born March 24, 2011) is an American child actor and singer in musicals and films. He is known for his Broadway debut in The Music Man, his leading role in Oliver! at New York City Center’s Encores!, and his breakout film roles in The Life of Chuck and Playdate.

Benjamin Pajak
Born (2011-03-24) March 24, 2011 (age 15)
Westfield, New Jersey, U.S.
Occupations
Years active2022–present
Websitebenjaminpajak.com

Early life and career

edit

Benjamin Pajak was born in 2011 in Westfield, New Jersey.[1] When he was six, he attended a Broadway performance of The Phantom of the Opera, an experience that made him interested in acting on stage.[2] He later took part in several regional theatre productions, including Peter Pan, Winnie-the-Pooh, The Aristocats, and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.[3] In early 2020, he was selected to play Winthrop Paroo in the Broadway revival of The Music Man, after his mother encouraged him to audition.[4]

In 2022 Pajak was featured in the Broadway revival of The Music Man at the Winter Garden Theatre, with Pajak performing the cornet live; the production was postponed for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[2][4] Although the show received mixed reviews, Pajak's performance drew positive notice and earned him the Theatre World Award.[5] The following year, he played the title role in Oliver! at New York City Center.[citation needed] In 2023, he also appeared in a production of Ragtime at the Music Circus in Sacramento, California.[6]

Pajak made his feature film debut after being cast at age 12 in Mike Flanagan's tragicomedy The Life of Chuck,[7] a 2025 adaptation of the short story of the same name by Stephen King.[8] There, he played a younger version of the title character, Charles "Chuck" Krantz.[9] He then played Lucas in Playdate (2025)[10][11] and acted in Tiny Fugitives.[citation needed]

In 2026, Pajak played Sam Emerson in the musical comedy horror film The Lost Boys (Palace Theatre). Based on the 1987 cult classic film of the same name,[12] Pajak's participation earned him a nomination at the 2026 Dorian Awards for the Outstanding Featured Performance in a Broadway Musical.[13] He also received another nomination at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for Outstanding Featured Performer in a Broadway Musical.[14]

Filmography

edit

Theatre credits

edit

Awards and nominations

edit

References

edit
  1. ↑ Auman, Greg (2022-03-26). "Broadway birthday bonus from Tom Brady: 'Best ever' for 11-year-old Bucs fan". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  2. 1 2 "The Music Man's Benjamin Pajak on Making His Broadway Debut & Being Hypnotized by Idina Menzel". Broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  3. ↑ "Benjamin Pajak's Broadway Debut in 'Music Man' Is Thump'n Thpethyul". Newsweek. 2022-04-27. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  4. 1 2 "6 Theatre Workers You Should Know". American Theatre. 2022-04-18. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  5. ↑ "Benjamin Pajak Biography". www.broadway.com. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  6. ↑ Rubins, Dan (2023-05-06). "'Oliver!' Review: Benjamin Pajak Leaves Audiences Wanting More". Slant Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  7. ↑ Hunt, Hannah; Nemiroff, Perri (2025-06-05). ""I Wish He Were My Real Grandson": Mark Hamill Calls This Co-Star from Mike Flanagan's The Life of Chuck a "Complete Natural"". Collider. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  8. ↑ Rudoy, Matthew (2025-11-27). "Mike Flanagan's First Stephen King Adaptation In 6 Years Officially Begins Streaming Next Month". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  9. ↑ Erbland, Kate (2025-06-13). "The Breakout Star of 'The Life of Chuck' Didn't Know He and Tom Hiddleston Were Playing the Same Role". IndieWire. Retrieved 2025-11-24.
  10. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (2024-04-04). "Sarah Chalke, Alan Tudyk, Stephen Root & Isla Fisher Among Cast to Join Action-Comedy Playdate With Kevin James & Alan Ritchson; Filming Underway". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  11. ↑ "An uncontrollable day: the action comedy starring Kevin James and Alan Ritchson on Prime Video". www.sortiraparis.com. Retrieved 2025-11-28.
  12. ↑ Hall, Margaret (2026-04-27). "Photos: From Pink to Steph Curry, Stars of All Types Celebrate The Lost Boys' Broadway Opening". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-04-27.
  13. ↑ Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead". New York Theater. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  14. ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (May 11, 2026). "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill.
  15. ↑ Mandell, Jonathan (May 13, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award Nominations: Schmigadoon, Lost Boys lead". New York Theater. Retrieved May 20, 2026.
  16. ↑ "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  17. ↑ "Announcing the 2026 Outer Critics Circle winners: Full list". Broadway News. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
edit
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Benjamin_Pajak&oldid=1357310257"