Born November 3, 1993 he is an American comedian and actor. Benito Skinner is known for his online persona Benny Drama, and performs celebrity impressions, skits, and original characters on platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok.
Early Life and Education
Skinner was born and raised in Boise, Idaho. He attended Bishop Kelly High School, where he founded the nonprofit OATHS (Organization Assisting the Homeless Student). He went on to attend Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where he studied acting, English, and film and media studies.
Career
After graduating, Skinner worked as a video editor while continuing to create online content. In 2016, he made his social media accounts public, and his early work developed into comedy videos on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. He is known for his celebrity impressions, such as Shawn Mendes, Lana Del Rey, and Kourtney Kardashian, as well as for original characters like Jenni the Hairdresser. In 2018, he performed his debut show “Overcompensating” at Carolines on Broadway to a sold-out audience at the New York Comedy Festival. Skinner has also hosted the pop culture podcast Obsessed with Mary Beth Barone and launched a new podcast, Ride, in 2023. In 2024, he starred in Chelsea Peretti’s first feature “First Time Female Director” and will star, executive produce, and write in the series “Overcompensating” for Amazon Prime Video.
Personal Life
Skinner is gay and came out in his senior year of college. He has been in a relationship with director and photographer Terrence O’Connor since 2016. They reside in Los Angeles, California.
Trivia
- Skinner’s work is fully rooted in pop culture.
- He has described his early comedic inspirations as Robin Williams in his role as Mrs. Doubtfire and SpongeBob SquarePants.
Benito Skinner continues to be a prominent figure in the comedy and entertainment industry, with a growing fanbase and a strong presence on multiple social media platforms.
