Blake Lee

Blake Lee
Lee at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival
Born (1983-08-31) August 31, 1983 (age 41)
Miami, Florida, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active2009–present
Spouse
​
(m. 2016)​

Blake Lee (born August 31, 1983) is an American actor, known for his roles on Mixology,[1] Parks and Recreation and the Freeform hit Cruel Summer. Blake and his husband Ben Lewis made history starring in The Christmas Setup, Lifetime's first Christmas movie centered around a gay love story.

Career

Lee began his professional acting career in 2009, when he made his television debut in the political satire mockumentary sitcom series Parks and Recreation, where he recurred as a guest star as Derek.[2] Lee was cast in the main role of Tom in the sitcom series Mixology.[3][4] Lee appeared in the 2015 biographical drama film I Am Michael portraying Benoit Denizet-Lewis, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 29, 2015.[5]

From 2017 to 2018, he was cast to play the main role in the crime drama series Wisdom of the Crowd opposite Jeremy Piven, Monica Potter, Richard T. Jones, Natalia Tena and Jake Matthews, in which he played the main role of Josh Novak.[6] He was cast as Barry in the comedy series Overthinking with Kat & June, which was premiered on December 19, 2018, on YouTube Premium. In 2019, he had a recurring role in the sitcom series Fam portraying Ben.[7]

In early 2020, Lee starred in the romantic comedy movie by Pat Mills titled The Christmas Setup with Ben Lewis, it is the first LGBTQ-themed Christmas film ever broadcast by Lifetime.[8][9][10]

In 2021, Lee appeared on the first season of the teen drama mystery thriller anthology series Cruel Summer, in which he played the main antagonist role of Martin Harris.[11][12]

Personal life

Lee is married to actor and writer Ben Lewis.[13] The couple met in the Grauman's Chinese Theatre bathroom at the Scott Pilgrim vs. the World premiere after being told they had mutual friends. Lee had been attending as Aubrey Plaza's guest; the two have been close friends since Parks and Recreation.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role
2015 I Am Michael Benoit Denizet-Lewis
2016 The Wedding Party Jim
2021 The Pig People Peter
2024 Shell Sebastian

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2009–2011 Parks and Recreation Derek 7 episodes
2011 Friends with Benefits Dean Episode: "The Benefit of Keeping Your Ego in Check"
2014 Mixology Tom Main role; 13 episodes
2015 Mix Finn McDonnell Television film
2015 The Astronaut Wives Club Mystery Reporter Episode: "Abort"
2016 Good Fortune Metzger Pilot
2016 Good Fortune Metzger Television film
2016 Angie Tribeca Sebastian Episode: "Contains Graphic Designer Violence"
2017–2018 Wisdom of the Crowd Josh Novak Main role; 13 episodes
2018 Overthinking with Kat & June Barry Main role; 3 episodes
2019 Fam Ben 6 episodes
2020 The Christmas Setup Patrick Ryan Television film
2020 Delilah Gordon Television film
2021 Cruel Summer Martin Harris Series Regular
2023 Gay Pride & Prejudice Bennet Lead role; Podcast series
TBA Married with Friends Arthur Main role

References

  1. ^ Nellie Andreeva (6 February 2013). "Trio Cast In ABC Comedy Pilot 'Mixology'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2017-06-03.
  2. ^ "Parks and Recreation star Blake Lee breaks down "shock" Cruel Summer twist". Digital Spy. 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  3. ^ "Video 'Mixology' Sneak Peek with the Stars". ABC News. 2014-02-26. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  4. ^ "'Mixology' review: Attractive sitcom knows the score". SFGATE. 2014-02-25. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  5. ^ "You Should Know: Blake Lee". Guest of a Guest. 2016-03-17. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  6. ^ Petski, Denise (2017-03-08). "Blake Lee Joins 'Wisdom Of The Crowd' CBS Drama Pilot; Lucas Hazlett In 'Real Life'". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  7. ^ Diaz, Johnny (2017-10-11). "Miami's Blake Lee in new CBS crime drama 'Wisdom of the Crowd'". Sun Sentinel. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  8. ^ Jackson Weaver, "New slate of LGBTQ holiday movies sparks joy, criticism over portrayal of queer stories". CBC News, December 18, 2020.
  9. ^ "Real-life married gay couple cast in 1st Lifetime LGBTQ holiday movie". ABC News. 2020-09-09. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  10. ^ "Canadian Ben Lewis stars in Lifetime's first LGBTQ holiday film, 'Christmas Setup'". ABC News. 2020-12-16. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  11. ^ "Blake Lee on the Villainous Martin Harris in Freeform's Cruel Summer [Exclusive Interview]". LRM Online. 2021-05-24. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  12. ^ "Ted Bundy Inspired 'Cruel Summer' Character Played by Blake Lee". Men's Health. 2021-05-26. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  13. ^ "For Blake Lee & Ben Lewis, A Chance Encounter in the Men's Room Became an Eight-Year Love Affair". Out. January 10, 2018. Retrieved January 23, 2018.