Michael Emerson as Ben Linus in the fourth season episode "Cabin Fever"
First appearance
"One of Them" (2006)
Last appearance
"The New Man in Charge" (2010)
Created by
J. J. Abrams
Damon Lindelof
Portrayed by
Michael Emerson Sterling Beaumon (Young Ben)
Centric episode(s)
"The Man Behind the Curtain" "The Shape of Things to Come" "Dead Is Dead" "Dr. Linus" "What They Died For"
In-universe information
Full name
Benjamin Linus
Alias
Henry Gale, Dean Moriarty
Species
Human
Gender
Male
Occupation
Leader of the Others Teacher (flash-sideways)
Children
Alex Rousseau (adoptive daughter)
Relatives
Roger Linus (father) Emily Linus (mother)
Nationality
American
Benjamin Linus is a fictional character portrayed by Michael Emerson on the ABC television series Lost. Ben was the leader of a group of island natives called the Others and was initially known as Henry Gale to the survivors of Oceanic Flight 815. He began as the main antagonist during the second and third seasons, but in subsequent seasons, becomes a morally ambiguous ally to the main characters. Other characters frequently describe him as loyal only to himself, though it is also often hinted that he may be driven by some higher purpose.
As with most characters on Lost, Ben's history is revealed through flashbacks and episodes set in other time periods which are revealed slowly as the series progresses. Sterling Beaumon first portrayed a young Ben late in season three, in the character's first centric episode, "The Man Behind the Curtain". Ben's childhood is further explored in the fifth season of the series, partially set in 1977. Fifth season episode "Dead Is Dead" explores Ben's fragile state following the events of the fourth season, in which his loyalty to the island led to the death of his adoptive daughter Alex Rousseau (Tania Raymonde), and flashbacks show the audience Ben's original acquisition of Alex and his rise to leadership of the Others, after exiling his rival Charles Widmore (Alan Dale). Originally cast for three guest appearances in the second season, Emerson's role was expanded. As leader of the Others, Ben became a regular cast member from the third season onward. Reviews of the show would often focus on Ben's mysterious motives. Emerson's portrayal garnered many positive reviews, resulting in nominations for the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor year-on-year from 2007 to 2010, winning in 2009.
In 2010, Ben Linus was ranked #24 on the TV Guide Network special 25 Greatest TV Characters of All Time.[1] In 2016, Rolling Stone ranked him #1 of their "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time".[2]
^25 Greatest TV Characters of All Time (TV production). TV Guide Network. September 19, 2010.
^Collins, Sean T. (February 9, 2016). "40 Greatest TV Villains of All Time". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved April 29, 2016.
Benjamin Linus is a fictional character portrayed by Michael Emerson on the ABC television series Lost. Ben was the leader of a group of island natives...
1954) is an American actor who is best known for his roles as Benjamin Linus on Lost (2006–2010) and as Harold Finch in the CBS series Person of Interest...
manufacturer of locks Linus (mythology) Linus, a recurring character in Star Trek: Discovery BenLinus, in the US television show Lost Linus Van Pelt, in the...
Oceanic Flight 815, but was taken from her mother, Danielle Rousseau, by BenLinus. She was raised among them, believing her mother to be dead. She has helped...
actions taken by the characters of Hugo "Hurley" Reyes (Jorge Garcia) and BenLinus (Michael Emerson), after the events of the series finale, "The End". "The...
Desmond Hume, and Michael Emerson as the manipulative leader of the Others, BenLinus. In addition, three new actors joined the regular cast: Elizabeth Mitchell...
Emerson played BenLinus on television's Lost, and Preston was a guest star in episode 20 of season 3, "The Man Behind the Curtain" as Ben's mother Emily...
directed by Bobby Roth and written by Elizabeth Sarnoff and Drew Goddard. BenLinus (Michael Emerson) reluctantly leads John Locke (Terry O'Quinn) to Jacob...
leaving the Island and seeing her sister again by BenLinus until she finds a solution, she quickly betrays Ben and the Others when she is sent as a spy to...
its "captivating minor characters (tortured Sayid, scheming Juliet, savvy Ben)". In May 2006, McFarlane Toys announced recurring lines of character action...
Jesse Pinkman Breaking Bad "Half Measures" AMC Michael Emerson BenLinus Lost "Dr. Linus" ABC Terry O'Quinn John Locke "The Substitute" Andre Braugher...
mission to observe and formulate strategies to counter the Hostiles. When BenLinus (Michael Emerson) arrived on the Island in 1970, there was still an open...
Dale) that is sent to the island on a mission to capture Widmore's enemy BenLinus (Michael Emerson) from his home, then torch the island. Unlike Lost's...
the island when the Kahana blows up and the island is "moved" by BenLinus. When Ben causes the island to vanish, Charlotte, Faraday and the remaining...
Isabelle "Belle" Darling (1881–1926).: 22 He was named "Linus Carl", in honor of Lucy's father, Linus, and Herman's father, Carl.: 8 His ancestry included...
was canonized. According to Irenaeus, Linus is the same person as the one mentioned in the New Testament. Linus is mentioned in the valediction of the...
Kim); leader of the island's native population, known as the "Others," BenLinus (Michael Emerson); deceased crash survivor John Locke, who lives on in...
actor. He is known for his portrayal of Ben Seaver on Growing Pains and its two reunion movies. He also voiced Linus van Pelt in Happy New Year, Charlie Brown...
crashes on the island on September 22, 2004, Ethan is sent by his superior BenLinus to pose as a fuselage survivor and make a list of the survivors. Ethan...
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