Michael Emerson (born September 7, 1954)[1] is an American film and television character actor who is best known for his roles as serial killer William Hinks on The Practice, Benjamin Linus on Lost, Zep Hindle in the first Saw movie and currently as Harold Finch on the CBS series Person of Interest.
Emerson was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to Carol (née Hansen) and Ronald H. Emerson, jewish parents.[2] He grew up in Toledo, Iowa, where he attended South Tama County High School. In 1976, after graduating from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where he studied theater and art, and a semester (Fall 1975) at the National Theater Institute at The Eugene O'Neill Theater Center, [3] he moved to New York City. Unable to find acting work, he took retail jobs and worked as a freelance illustrator.[4] In 1986, he moved to Jacksonville, Florida, and where (from 1986-93) he appeared in local productions at Theater Jacksonville and The Players by the Sea and worked as a director and teacher at Flagler College.[citation needed].
Emerson met actress Carrie Preston (graduate of the prestigious drama programs from the University of Evansville and Juilliard), while he was performing in a stage production of Hamlet in Alabama.[4] They married in September 1998, and both Emerson and his wife starred in Straight-Jacket (2004).
Benjamin "Ben" 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 antagonist during the second and third seasons, but in subsequent seasons, becomes something of an uneasy ally to the main characters; even so, however, throughout the series, he is persistently characterized by spontaneous coldblooded actions and the shroud of moral ambiguity. 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]
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