Known For:
Acting
Birthday:
September 1, 1972
Place of Birth:
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
A highly regarded performer on the New York and national stages, Tina Benko also enjoyed regular work in films and on television, most notably in a starring role on "Flesh and Bone" (Starz, 2015).The Pittsburgh, PA native received her training at Carnegie Mellon and made her screen debut in Stephen Gyllenhaal's drama "Waterland" in 1992. Benko logged minor roles in features and on television throughout the 1990s while also appearing regularly on stage, both as an understudy in Broadway productions like "The Real Thing" (2000) and "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg" (2003) and in more substantive roles Off Broadway and at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. In 2006, she enjoyed a recurring role as Kath Parry, a former flame of Irish gangster Michael Caffee (Jason Isaacs) on "Brotherhood" (Showtime, 2006-2008), which led to supporting and guest appearances on episodic dramas like "Law & Order" (NBC, 1990-2010) and roles in major features like "The Avengers" (2012). Her stage roles, too, grew in stature, and by 2011, she was starring in an international touring production of Toni Morrison's "Desdemona" (2011) directed by Peter Sellars and earning critical praise as Titania in Julie Taylor's 2013 production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream," which was filmed for a 2014 theatrical release. In 2013, Benko also earned a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for playing Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Elfriede Jellinek's solo play "Jackie," and by the following year, had transitioned into a busy character actress, with two or three film or television credits to her name each year. Chief among these was a minor role in Woody Allen's "Irrational Man" (2015) and a turn as a series regular on "Flesh and Bone," Starz's drama set in the ballet world. Benko played Jessica, a former dancer who returns to her former ballet company to serve as its manager.
Year | Movie | Role |
---|---|---|
2024 | Nobody Wants to Shoot a Woman | Mary |
2023 | The Adults | Christina |
2022 | Life After You | Mary |
2021 | The Scottish Play | Sydney |
2019 | The Kitchen | Donna - Nail Salon Owner |
2019 | Mapplethorpe | Sandy Daley |
2019 | Fair Market Value | Brooke |
2019 | The Sound of Silence | Dr. Elizabeth Brookings |
2018 | Hot Air | Laurie |
2018 | Can You Ever Forgive Me? | Karen |
2017 | The Greatest Showman | Mrs. Winthrop |
2015 | Irrational Man | TV Announcer |
2014 | That Awkward Moment | Ellie's Mom |
2014 | A Midsummer Night's Dream | Titania |
2013 | Admission | Andrea (uncredited) |
2013 | Contest | Rhonda |
2012 | The Avengers | NASA Scientist |
2009 | The Hungry Ghosts | Abby |
2008 | Lucky Days | Nina |
2007 | The Nanny Diaries | Shopaholic Mom |
2007 | The Killing Floor | Executive #2 |
2006 | Puccini for Beginners | Nell |
2004 | Company K | Hope |
2002 | The Perfect You | Bartender |
2001 | Final | Blonde in Bar |
1995 | Houseguest | Waitress |
1992 | Waterland | Baby's Mother |
Year | TV Show | Role |
---|---|---|
2024 | Elsbeth | Ava Mornay |
2023 | Kaleidoscope | Jennifer Helman |
2021 | Power Book III: Raising Kanan | Dr. Ramona Nichols |
2021 | Dr. Death | Meredith Vieira |
2020 | Monsterland | Marianne Westheart |
2020 | FBI: Most Wanted | Sherry Bishop |
2019 | The Other Two | Phoebe McInerny Purmont |
2018 | FBI | Interpol Inspector Laurent |
2017 | Royally | Hannah |
2016 | Vinyl | Gloria |
2015 | Blindspot | Yasmine Petrushev |
2015 | Flesh and Bone | Jessica |
2015 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Dr. Farpotshket |
2014 | The Mysteries of Laura | Judith Hansen |
2014 | NCIS: New Orleans | Paulina Kurteva |
2014 | TURN: Washington's Spies | Ms. Barnes |
2011 | Unforgettable | Lois Sadler |
2011 | Person of Interest | Cobb |
2010 | Blue Bloods | Lauren Vickers |
2009 | The Good Wife | Judith Dahl |
2009 | Royal Pains | Titania |
2008 | New Amsterdam | Amelia |
2006 | Brotherhood | Kathleen Parry |
2006 | Ugly Betty | Collette |
2003 | Chappelle's Show | Katie Jacobson |
2001 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Mrs. O'Doyle |
2001 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Susan Rowan |
1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Grace Avery |
1999 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Mrs. Panachek |
1999 | Third Watch | Vanessa |
1995 | New York News | Amanda |
1994 | New York Undercover | Sarah Chapman |
1990 | Law & Order | Kerry Sands |
1990 | Law & Order | Sharon Quaid |