Wesley Cook Bentley, an American actor, rose to fame with his soulful and artistic portrayal of Ricky Fitts in the Oscar-winning film American Beauty (1999). He has since appeared in notable roles, including Seneca Crane in The Hunger Games (2012) and photographer Thomas in Lovelace (2013).
Born on September 4, 1978, in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Wes is the son of Methodist ministers David and Cherie Bentley. He has three brothers, Jamey, Philip, and Patrick. Wes attended Sylvan Hills High School in Sherwood, Arkansas, where he was part of the drama club and developed an interest in acting through Improv Comedy.
Wes and his friends formed an Improv group called B(3) + C, which dominated competitions in Arkansas. He won several awards, including First in solo acting, Second in duet, and regularly won for poetry and prose readings. Wes also appeared in various stage productions in Little Rock, including "La Cage aux Folles" and "Oliver".
After high school, Wes's mother urged him to attend Juilliard School in New York, where he appeared in stage work like "Henry IV, Part 1" and "The Weavers". However, he only stayed for a short time before working at Blockbuster and as a waiter at TGI Friday's on Long Island.
Wes made his onscreen debut in Jonathan Demme's Beloved (1998) and gained recognition for his role in American Beauty. However, he struggled with substance abuse, which affected his personal life and career. He publicly admitted to using acting roles to fund his drug addiction during the 2000s.
Bentley eventually entered a 12-step program in 2009 and has since maintained his sobriety. He has also appeared in documentaries, including My Big Break (2009),and made his professional stage debut in David Ives' award-winning play "Venus In Fur" in 2010.
Wes is married to producer Jacqui Swedberg and has one child with her.
