Julie Benz

Julie Benz (born 1 May 1972) is an American actress and former figure skater.

From 2006 - 2010, she played Rita Morgan, the girlfriend and later wife of Dexter Morgan, in Showtime's series DEXTER.

Appearances[]

Season One

12 episodes

Season Two

12 episodes

Season Three

12 episodes

Season Four

12 episodes

Season Five

"My Bad" (corpse and flashbacks)

Comments by Julie[]

In response to her character being killed off, Julie Benz said the following:

"I was shocked because I loved being a part of the show. I loved playing Rita. I loved working with the cast and the crew and the writers. So it was quite shocking but I got over the initial, 'Oh my God, I just lost my job.' You're able to see it from a storytelling standpoint. It was aggressive storytelling and it needed to be done in many ways."

Career[]

Film

Her film credits include roles in Havenhurst (2016); Life on the Line (2015); Circle (2015); Supremacy (2014); Answers to Nothing (2011); Bedrooms (2010); The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day (2009); Punisher: War Zone (2008); Saw V (2008); Rambo (2008); Kill Your Darlings (2006); 8MM 2 (2005, Video); Bad Girls from Valley High (2005); George of the Jungle 2 (2003, Video); The Brothers (2001); Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the Thirteenth (2000, Video); Dirt Merchant (1999); Jawbreaker (1999); As Good as It Gets (1997); Darkdrive (1997); Inventing the Abbotts (1997); Black Sheep (1996, uncredited); and Two Evil Eyes (1990).

TV Movies

Her TV movies include V.C. Andrews' Heaven (2019); Christmas Homecoming (2017); Charming Christmas (2015); Sole Custody (2014); Taken: The Search for Sophie Parker (2013); Middle Ages (2012); Ricochet (2011); Uncorked (2009); Held Hostage (2009); Circle of Friends (2006); Locusts: The 8th Plague (2005); Lackawanna Blues (2005); The Long Shot (2004); Good Guys/Bad Guys (2000); Satan's School for Girls (2000); Veronica's Video (1997); A Walton Easter (1997, uncredited); Crosstown Traffic (1995); Hearts Adrift (1996); and The Barefoot Executive (1995).

Shorts

Her shorts include Kidnapping Caitlynn (2009); The Midget Stays in the Picture (2003); and Eating Las Vegas (1997).

Television

Her TV appearances include roles on On Becoming a God in Central Florida; Light as a Feather; Dark/Web (voice); Training Day; Hawaii Five-0; Defiance; A Gifted Man; Royal Pains; No Ordinary Family; Desperate Housewives; Law & Order; CSI: Crime Scene Investigation; CSI: Miami; Supernatural; Oliver Beene; NCIS; Angel; Coupling; Peacemakers; Roswell; Buffy the Vampire Slayer; Taken (mini-series); She Spies; Glory Days; Payne; The King of Queens; Conrad Bloom; Ask Harriet; Fame L.A.; The Big Easy; The Single Guy; Sliders; Diagnosis Murder; Boy Meets World; Empire; Step by Step; High Tide; Hang Time; Married... with Children; and Hi Honey, I'm Home.

Video Games

2004: Halo 2
2004: Hot Shots Golf Fore!

Personal Life[]

Benz was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Murrysville.

Benz competed in the 1988 U.S. Championships in junior ice dancing with her skating partner David Schilling, and finished in 13th place. When a stress fracture ended her skating career at age fourteen, she decided to try acting.

After graduating from high school, Julie entered New York University to study acting there. After graduation, Julie moved to Los Angeles to further pursue her career.

She married producer Rich Orosco in 2012. The couple doesn't have any kids of their own. Before Rich, Julie Benz was previously married to her first husband and actor, John Kassir.

Trivia[]

She dyed her natural blonde hair to brunette for the film Punisher: War Zone (2008).
She collects antique things from every country she visits.
She originally auditioned for the role of Debra Morgan.