Biography

A professional actor for most of his life, Ken Schwarz has been working in and around the performing arts since the age of twelve, accumulating numerous credits in film, television, commercials, and appearing in over 80 plays at New York, Regional and Repertory theaters.

On Television, Ken has been featured on "American Sports Story: Aaron Hernandez," "Law & Order: SVU (twice)," "Bull," "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "One Life to Live," "Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," the second season premiere of "Try My Life," and in a leading role in the Japanese television movie "Railroad Killer: The Angel Resendez Story," seen by over 18 million people on Nippon Network. He also starred in The Onion News web show "Fake Coup."

In Feature Films, Ken has appeared in "Hungry Years," "Atlantic City Serenade," "Hell's Half-Acre," and in "Jersey Justice" starring Blanche Baker and Bo Svenson. He has also performed starring and principal roles in many short films, including "Discharge," the film Ken wrote, produced and acts in, which has been an Official Selection at over 40 US & International film festivals, garnering a number of awards -- including several Best Actor honors for his lead performance.

Ken is a produced author of plays, films, and musicals. His full-length play "Yuletide Hearts" received its world premiere for a sold-out, record-setting run of six weeks at a 500 seat theater. "Yuletide Hearts" was subsequently named one of the Best New Plays of the New Jersey professional theatre season by Drama Desk member Peter Filichia, columnist for Playbill and The Star Ledger (alongside plays by A.R. Gurney & Neil Simon).

Ken has produced & designed shows starring Joyce DeWitt, Jamie Farr, Mickey Rooney, Lucie Arnaz, Pat Cooper, and Julius LaRosa, among others. He has also directed a variety of plays and musicals which include: "Over the River and Through the Woods" featuring Emmy Award winner Bruce Weitz ("Hill Street Blues"), his American adaptation of Ray Cooney's farce "Run For Your Wife," and "I Do! I Do!" starring Andrea McArdle and Rex Smith.

Ken is the founding artistic director of the nonprofit Jersey Central Theatre Company. He has been a featured interview subject on the programs "Jersey's Talking with Lee Leonard," and PBS's "Discover NJ."

- IMDb mini biography by: Ken Schwarz