Benjamin John Gourley was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on May 26, 1978. He is the third oldest of seven children (3 girls, 4 boys). He graduated from Brigham Young University in 2003 with a degree in film production with an emphasis in screenwriting. He served a two year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Russia. He began acting at 22 years of age and has since contributed to many theatre and independent film productions including, Pride and Prejudice (2003), and Saints and Soldiers (2003).