Ben Wright was born on May 5, 1915, in London, England, to an English mother and an American father. At the tender age of 16, he enrolled in the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, where he had the privilege of studying alongside future stars such as Ida Lupino. Upon completing his studies, Wright embarked on a successful stage career in the West End, impressing audiences with his remarkable acting skills.
However, his life took a dramatic turn when World War II broke out, and he enlisted in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. After serving his country, Wright decided to relocate to Hollywood in 1946 to attend a cousin's wedding and eventually settled in the city. He began his American acting career in radio, showcasing his exceptional talent for dialects by playing a variety of characters, including Hey Boy, the Chinese servant, on "Have Gun, Will Travel" alongside John Dehner.
Wright's remarkable ability to master different accents and dialects led to a wide range of roles in WWII-related films and TV shows during the 1950s and 1960s. He played numerous Germans, Frenchmen, and Englishmen, ensuring that each character's dialect was accurate and authentic. After years of working in radio, television, stage, and film, Wright entered semi-retirement in the late 1970s, accepting occasional voice work and small guest appearances on TV.
Tragically, Wright's life came to a close on July 2, 1989, due to heart failure, just a few weeks after completing his final role as Grimsby in Disney's The Little Mermaid. Prior to his passing, he had undergone quadruple bypass surgery at St. Joseph's Hospital in Burbank, from which he never recovered.
