The early glory for many actors is not so much a blessing as a cause of many life dramas. And often those who find the strength in themselves to fight, then become brighter and help others. One of these actors was Wes Bentley.
Childhood
Bentley was born in Arizona. His parents were far from creative activity, because for a long time the future actor could not even think about how to choose cinema for his life. At school, Wes was bullied by classmates because of his pretty appearance. To stop this, he began to play sports and seriously became interested in football. As a teenager, he helped create a team in his school and even became its captain.
However, the abilities made themselves felt: Bentley also began to attend the school theater club, where he played his first major roles. Along the way, Wes learned to play the trombone while attending a school orchestra. Together with his friends, Bentley also created a group with which he gave concerts from time to time.
If before that, Wes Bentley dreamed of a career as a hip-hop artist, then participation in school productions assured him of the desire to become an actor. Therefore, immediately after graduation, he went to New York to continue his education.
American Beauty
The young man was able to continue his studies in a big city. However, student life was not easy - there was not enough money for anything. In order to pay for housing and buy food, Wes had to go through the tests and play small roles. They ate so much time that they had to abandon their studies. The film "American Beauty" was another attempt for him. He did not think what the participation in this picture would turn out for him.
The role of Ricky Fitts was desirable for many young actors who have already managed to prove themselves. Because everyone was so surprised when one of the central characters was entrusted to play an unknown Bentley.
Bentley, unsure of a touching young man, played so organically that he instantly became popular after the release of the drama. He was invited to the roles of “good guys,” similar to his first popular character. But Wes Bentley was afraid of the cliche, because in his next film, “The guy from the White River,” he played a killer maniac. Together with him, Antonio Banderas also appeared in this picture.
After the release of several films in which the most popular Hollywood actors played with Bentley, the rising star was called one of the most promising personalities in the film industry. And maybe soon he would become the owner of the famous prizes. However, fame brought new acquaintances into his life, among which far from the best happened: among new friends there were inveterate addicts.
Drug addict
As Wes Bentley later admitted, it seemed to him that drugs were an integral part of any actor’s life. His addiction began with soft drugs. Gradually, the actor reached heroin.
Drug addiction has become a huge obstacle to the further development of an actor’s career. The directors refused to film him, despite his talent. The addiction of the actor created difficulties for the filming. Therefore, he soon began to act in films of category B. He was ready to take on any role in order to get money for a new dose. One of the most striking roles of that period was the maniac from the thriller "Parking". Despite the small budget, fans of the genre loved this film and critics noted.
Drug addiction destroyed not only his career, but also the personal life of the actor. His first wife could not cope with her husband's addiction.
Wes Bentley himself realized that he needed to be treated, which he told his friends about. Those helped him find a good clinic and go the path of rehabilitation. After that, Bentley with renewed vigor began to revive from the ashes of his acting.
Wishing to warn a new generation of actors from his mistake, Bentley made a documentary in which he frankly spoke about the years of drug addiction.
Career revival
The actor’s reputation was badly damaged, so he had to try to return to the big screens. Bentley's documentary was successful. Soon after, he played in the film based on the works of Edgar Allan Poe. After that, there was a series of films in which Wes Bentley played minor characters.
Years passed before Bentley got a role in the feature film. He played the manager of the fierce Hunger Games anti-utopia competition. In a film about one of the main stars of adult films, Linda Lovelace Bentley played a photographer.
Wes Bentley starred not only in box office films, but also in the arthouse. For example, he appeared as the teacher of Abraham Lincoln in the black-and-white picture "Better Angels." His role in the controversial thriller The Last Girl, which is called a bold parody of the genre, was highly praised by critics.
Present
For the years that have passed since the day when the actor refused drugs, he was almost completely able to regain the former glory of Wes Bentley. His filmography includes a variety of paintings, among which the sensational Interstellar.
Soon after, Bentley played a DJ in the movie 128 Beats Per Minute. The mentor aroused no less attention and sympathy from the audience than the main character played by Zac Efron.
Wes gained popularity among young viewers for his roles in the TV series American Horror Story. He first appeared in season four, playing the demon Edward Mordrake. The mysterious and attractive character overshadowed many other heroes who were given more time. It is not surprising that next season Bentley has already received one of the main roles. In the season, the central theme of which was the hotel, the actor played detective John Lowe.
Personal life
Currently, not only a successful actor, but also a happy family man is Wes Bentley. The personal life of the actor is carefully hidden from the attention of journalists, but sometimes photographs still appear in the press.
For the first time, an actor married, when he had just become famous. But the marriage with actress Jennifer Kvons did not last long. The young woman decided to file for divorce when she could not cope with her husband’s addiction.
Four years later, Bentley got married again. This time, his chosen one was producer Jackie Svedberg. She helped her husband finish the rehabilitation and return to normal life. The couple has two children. Often with them for a walk Wes Bentley appears. Photos of family idylls often appear in various publications.
Wes Bentley is considered one of the most beautiful actors. A brunette with a charming smile is often invited to play the roles of heroes-lovers, but he prefers ambiguous characters. At an early stage in his career, they said he could become a model for Wes Bentley. The growth of the actor (180 cm) allows this. However, an acting career attracted him much more, and he did not change her.
Wes Bentley has become an example for many young actors who are trying to get rid of drug addiction. He has gone from a budding young actor to a virtually unknown actor in low-budget films. And now he is back at the film Olympus.