Ben Davies has been acting since before he could walk. In fact, he was still in diapers when he appeared in his first national TV and print ad campaign. The progeny of a successful model and an All-American athlete, Davies was blessed with both striking physical features and a strong physical body. He was ranked the No. 1 high school decathlete in the nation in 2008 by Track & Field News.
Multiple injuries, along with a complex and risky surgery to repair a torn labrum in his shoulder, left Davies frustrated on the sidelines in 2010, wondering whether he would ever compete again. It was at that low point that Ben got the call to audition for Sherwood Pictures highly-anticipated new film, Courageous. Within three weeks of the audition, Davies was offered the coveted role of David Thomson, one of the four leads in the film. He has since had leading roles in 4 films with a several in negotiations.
Davies grew up in the modeling and entertainment industry. His mother, Nisé Davies, founded Advantage Models & Talent in the Nashville, Tenn., suburb of Franklin, Tenn. Through the years, he appeared in print and television ads and in videos. He competed twice at the nationally-renowned AMTC (Actors, Models and Talent for Christ), winning many awards including first place in TV Commercial, Swimsuit and Overall Finalist for Modeling and Acting.
The young model/actor also competed in athletics. By the time he was a junior in high school, Davies was the Jr. Olympic National Record Holder, six-time All-American, and National Gold Medalist in the Decathlon and Javelin.
Davies was on track to accomplish his dreams, including winning an Olympic gold medal. Life seemed to be going great, but challenges were on the horizon. Injuries began to slow him down, and he had to have a risky surgery that required 5 pins to repair a torn labrium.
For the first time in Davies life, he was weak. His right arm was in a sling with a six-month recovery predicted. He was feeling alone, exhausted and wondering if his dreams (Olympics and acting) would ever come true. He was crying out to God to show him the way, to allow him to do something significant. That's when things turned around.
That same week, Advantage Models & Talent received word from Sherwood Pictures that Davies had a call to audition for a lead role in the movie Courageous.
"When I found out I would have to have surgery, I was frustrated. I asked God, 'What am I supposed to do?'" Davies says. "Thats when I got a call from my agent asking if I had time to go to an audition. I was thinking, I have six months."
Davies said he had never experienced so many ridiculous obstacles that nearly prevented him from making the three-and-a-half-hour drive to the call back. Once there, he was stressed and tired and didn't feel like he was at his best. A week later, he sent an email to the casting director, thanking her for the opportunity to have been considered for such an important film that would change tens of thousands of lives. Davies didn't think he would get the part, but he believed in the project and wanted God's best for the film.
Davies was amazed when he got the call from producer Alex Kendrick telling him they wanted him to play the role of David Thomas, the youngest of the main characters. He was thankful that God used all the bad things in his life for His good. If Davies had not had surgery, he would not have been available for the audition or the filming schedule. When Davies was literally at the weakest point in his life (in a sling and unable to move his right arm) the Lord blessed him with his other dream - his acting dream.
"In your weakness, He is strong. When I look back, I feel so foolish for being frustrated with my injury," Ben says. "I know His plan is better than any plan I can make for myself."
© Ben Davies 2012