LUKE BENWARD
Date of Birth: 1995
Born and raised in Tennessee, Luke Benward began acting in commercials at an early age. His actress mother, Kenda, would take him along with her on auditions.
He made his motion picture debut at age five alongside Mel Gibson in We Were Soldiers (2002). Because Luke lives in Nashville and not in Los Angeles, his mother often videotapes his auditions in their kitchen when theyre not able to fly to auditions. He played the role of Jody in the pilot for the Family Affair remake, but didnt accept the role in the (short-lived) TV series because it would have meant moving.
Benward then played Angel/Michael in Martina McBrides award-winning music video Concrete Angel before taking on a supporting role in Walden Medias Because of Winn-Dixie (2005). He reportedly won the role of Stevie Dewberry, one of two brothers who torment the lead character, because he chose to do his audition with a toothpick in his mouth, which set him apart from the hundreds of other boys trying out.
After auditioning for the role of a bully in Walden Medias How to Eat Fried Worms (2006), he was asked to audition againthis time for the lead role of Billyand won the part.
Luke lives with his father (country singer Aaron Benward of the country duo, Blue County), his mother and two younger sisters. A devout Christian, he has turned down auditions that didnt fit in with his familys beliefs, such as a role as a boy who swears nonstop in Bad News Bears.
In his spare time, Luke rides his bicycle and plays football and video games. He also enjoys singing, playing electric guitar and making scary movies with his best friend and his sisters, using his camcorder.
Filmography:
How to Eat Fried Worms(2006)
Because of Winn-Dixie(2005)
We Were Soldiers(2002)