BEN VEATCH (1970-2025)
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Actor Ben Veatch passed away unexpectedly on December 17 at the age of 55. Ben was active in Chicago’s storefront theatre community for nearly 30 years, with a highlight being THE RISE AND FALL OF LITTLE VOICE at The Gift Theatre. Ben’s prolific career included appearances in BURY THE DEAD and THE BOOK OF WILL (Promethean Theatre Ensemble), A BRIGHT ROOM CALLED DAY (Blank Theatre), THE HOUSE OF IDEAS (CityLit), TEN 2023 and GOOD FOR OTTO (Gift Theatre), THE KELLY GIRLS and THE HOA (Factory Theatre), and KEELY AND DU and OUR TOWN (Redtwist). Other credits include work with Steppenwolf, Stage Left Theatre, Wing & Groove Theatre, Rasaka, Side Project, Boxer Rebellion, Bard and Fool Theater Group, Signal Ensemble Theatre, and the sketch comedy/improv group After Taste, among others.
Ben was born in Los Angeles on March 7, 1970 to his late mother, Etsuko, and his father, Richard. His parents met when his father was stationed at an Air Force base in northern Japan. They moved around the U.S. as his father’s career developed, eventually residing in Arlington Heights. Ben met his wife, Anne Sheridan Smith, more than 20 years ago while doing a show together. Overall, they were able to appear with each other in five shows, with the final one being 2025’s BOOK OF WILL at Promethean. Remembered as an honest friend, loving spouse, and quick wit, Ben was irreverently funny, genuinely curious, a natural listener, a new experience seeker, compassionate, and nobly consistent. Per Christy Arington: “If you were privileged enough to work with Ben Veatch, then you already know. You know he adored his wife and he was a kind pet lover and you know he was a generous and gifted actor. You know that Ben was a ‘yes, and...’ man, and he never shied away from a challenge or a difficult character arc. You know that Ben was grounded and brought warmth into every room he entered. His smile was an absolute stunner. Ben loved to play and discover in a room full of actors and always left the room better for his having been in it.” Ben is survived by a loving family, including his wife, Anne; his father, Richard; his younger brother and his brother’s family; extended family in Japan; his parents-in-law, Randolph Smith and MaryAnn Docktor-Smith; Deborah Brown; his sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jennifer and James Hupp; and Ben’s good boy, Dobby the dog. Donations can be made in Ben’s name to SeasonOfConcern.org |