- Born
- Died
- Birth nameBenjamin S. Rivera
- Nickname
- Benny
- Height5′ 9″ (1.75 m)
- Benny is a former Brinks driver who moved to Los Angeles from Detroit in the early 70s. He started dabbling in movies in the 1980s as an extra, winning his first role as an inmate in 1985's _Runaway Train(1985)_. His laid back demeanor won him many fans within production units and he eventually returned to his roots and did driving duties for various productions. He has lived in the LA area since the late 70s and continue to do driving. His latest project was on the cable TV series _"Pacific Blue"(1996)_.- IMDb Mini Biography By: echo_parker@excite.com
- SpousesDilsia Diaz-Rivera(November 1998 - present)Agnes Ortiz(September 1981 - August 1996) (annulled)Wanda Coleman(January 1979 - March 1981) (divorced)Olga Chimpinela(March 20, 1978 - October 31, 1978) (divorced)Milagro De Los Santos(1970 - 1975) (divorced, 1 child)Linda Bitterman(July 4, 1967 - November 5, 1968) (divorced)
- Was involved in a nearly fatal car accident in 1997. He lost control of his BMW when another car cut him off. His car swirved uncontrollably and became airborne, then tumbled onto an offramp. He was bedridden for months, though he has almost fully recovered.
- After recovering from his 1997 accident, Benny considered returning to his father's farm in Puerto Rico and maybe running for Governor, but opted to stay in LA after he met his sweetheart, a widowed neighbor.
- Was a staunch opponent of statehood for his native Puerto Rico until polling showed he had a shot at winning one of the two potential U.S. Senate seats.
- He started out as an extra in the late 80s. He had unbilled parts in TV movies like Deadly Intentions (as a juror) and Badge of the Assassin (as a Middle Eastern terrorist in a dream sequence), as well as in theatrical films (Runaway Train, Real Genius). His full time job is driving for film crews, however.
- Brother of film crew driver 'David "Bear" Ortiz'
- Runaway Train (1986) - $500
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