Join us for a conversation with actor Ben McKenzie, author of "Easy Money: Cryptocurrency, Casino Capitalism, and the Golden Age of Fraud", and director of the new documentary “Everyone Is Lying To You For Your Money”, as he examines the intersection of culture, finance, and governance.
Best known for his role on The O.C. and Gotham, McKenzie brings a distinctive perspective from Hollywood to public policy in a timely discussion on cryptocurrency and the future of financial accountability.
Ben McKenzie, actor, author, director
Ben McKenzie made his directorial debut with the documentary Everyone Is Lying to You for Money, which explores cryptocurrency fraud and premiered at SXSW London in June 2025. His book Easy Money (July 2023) debuted on the New York Times Bestseller list, and McKenzie has been described by TIME Magazine as a leading voice in the anti-crypto movement. He also starred in the J-horror film Bloat.
McKenzie is best known for his role as Ryan Atwood in The O.C. and as Ben Sherman in Southland. Most recently, he portrayed Commissioner Jim Gordon in Gotham, where he also wrote and directed episodes in Seasons 3, 4, and 5. His film credits include Junebug (which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival), The Eight Percent, 88 Minutes, Some Kind of Beautiful, and Line of Duty.
Ben McKenzie graduated from the University of Virginia with a double major in Economics and Foreign Affairs and currently resides in New York City with his wife, actress Morena Baccarin, their two young children, and their beloved dog.