Who Is Wes Bentley? Actor Who Plays Jamie on Yellowstone

At just 17 years old, Wes Bentley moved from Arkansas to New York City to pursue a role in acting.

After a breakout role as a teenager, Bentley went on to have a successful career in the entertainment industry.

Wes Bentley is an American actor who was born on September 4, 1978, in Jonesboro, Arkansas. He is well-known for playing Jamie Dutton on Yellowstone. Jamie Dutton is a complicated character that many fans go from loathing to feeling sorry for him.

Born:	4 September 1978
Birthplace:	Jonesboro, Arkansas, United States
Age:	44
Height:	1.8 m
Wife:	Jacqui Swedberg
Net Worth:	$3m (estimated)

Is Wes Bentley a Real-Life Cowboy?

Despite coming from a family of cowboys on Yellowstone, Wes Bentley is not a real-life cowboy, though he has a love for horses.

While he knew how to ride a horse prior to the show, Bentley attended ‘Cowboy Camp’ to sharpen his skills for Yellowstone.

For the 1998 film Beloved, Bentley got the role because he pretended he knew how to ride horses. Upon landing the role, the director learned Bentley didn’t actually ride. Fortunately, he learned how to ride horses from wranglers and stunt riders.

Upon getting cast as Jamie Dutton, Bentley attended Cowboy Camp, which Yellowstone creator Taylor Sheridan organized to teach the actors how to ride.

The actors learned the ins and outs of being a cowboy, including riding a horse, while off the grid in Utah alongside real cowboys.

Also read: 5 Yellowstone Actors Who are Cowboys in Real Life

He Used to Own a Ranch

Before his days on Yellowstone, Bentley used to own a ranch. However, he only owned the ranch for one year, as it provided to be too much work alongside his acting career.

“I used to have a ranch back in 2004. We had horses. They weren’t all mine. We provided space for other people’s horses,” Bentley says.

He Attended The Julliard School

Bentley attended The Julliard School for his college education. The Julliard School is renowned for being a world leader in performing arts education.

While only there for a short time, he appeared in stage work including Henry IV, Part 1, and The Weavers.

Bentley’s mother encouraged him to attend The Julliard School. Growing up, he appeared in many on-stage performances in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Also read: Who Is Cole Hauser? 10 Facts About the Rip Actor on Yellowstone

His Breakout Role Was American Beauty

Bentley’s breakout role as an actor was his role as Ricky Fitts in the 1999 film American Beauty. He gained much praise for his role and was quickly launched into fame.

He is an Award-Winning Actor

Thanks to his stellar performance in American Beauty, Bentley went on to win the 1999 National Board of Review award for Best Male Breakthrough Performance.

He also went on to win the 2000 Chicago Film Critics Association Awards for Most Promising Actor and the 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture for American Beauty.

Bentley has also been nominated for awards for his roles in P2, American Horror Story: Hotel, American Horror Story: Roanoke, and Yellowstone.

Also read: Who is Taylor Sheridan? 11 Facts About the Travis Actor on Yellowstone

He Struggled With Addiction

After launching into fame at a young age for his role in American Beauty, Wes Bentley began struggling with addiction. He became addicted to drugs and alcohol but, fortunately, was able to receive help.

Bentley went through the 12-step program twice and has now been clean for several years.

Here is what Bentley said in 2012, reflecting on his former addiction:

“I was risking everything to get drugs. I was driving around with homeless guys and people just out of prison, then I’d hit the streets and smoke all day. I’d already nodded off on set a couple times, and now I was being asked to leave auditions mid-reading because it was just so sad for them. I missed my brother’s wedding because I was so messed up… The shakes, hearing voices, paranoia – those were daily occurrences for me. I was nearly dead, and I didn’t care.”

Is Wes Bentley Married?

Wes Bentley is married to Jacqui Swedberg, who is an assistant television producer. The couple married in 2010 and have two children together.

He was previously married to actress Jennifer Quanz from 2001 to 2009.

What Roles is Wes Bentley Best Known For?

In addition to his roles in American Beauty (1999) and Yellowstone (2018-present), Wes Bentley is best known for starring in Ghost Rider (2007), P2 (2007), The Hunger Games (2012), and Interstellar (2014).

Bentley also is known for starring in American Horror Story, as he has been in American Horror Story: Freak Show (2014-2015), American Horror Story: Hotel (2015-2016), and American Horror Story: Roanoke (2016).

Also read: 15 Interesting Facts About the Yellowstone TV Show