CROWN MEDIA INKS MULTI-PICTURE DEAL WITH JONATHAN BENNETT

STUDIO CITY, CA - April 7, 2022 - Crown Media Family Networks and Jonathan Bennett (Mean Girls, "The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls") have signed an exclusive multi-picture overall deal, the company announced today.

"Jonathan is a fantastic partner and ambassador for our brand and what we represent. We look forward to working with him on more exciting projects." Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming, Crown Media Family Networks shared.

"I am so proud of the work I have done in my Hallmark movies. Most recently with back-to-back GLAAD Media Award nominations for 'The Christmas House' and 'The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls,'" Bennett said. "I'm so fortunate and proud that Hallmark is a champion for representation. I can't wait for all that is ahead."

Though his striking good looks may have made Jonathan Bennett an object of affection for the "plastics" in Mean Girls, his talent and commitment are what have led them to his becoming one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood. Diversifying his talent, he released a best-selling Mean Girls parody Burn Cookbook, became a fan favorite on "Dancing with the Stars," "Celebrity Big Brother" and also demonstrated his hosting skills on MTV's competition series "Copycat," which helped pave the way for his turn as host of Food Network's assortment of "Cake Wars" specials including the ratings powerhouse "Halloween Wars" and "Holiday Wars." Bennett is also the official host of Times Square's New Year's Eve Countdown, as well as his role with NBC's Winter Olympic coverage. Additionally, he remained a part of the Viacom family with recurring arcs on VH1's "Hit the Floor" and MTV's "Awkward." More recently, he enjoyed an arc on Shondaland's "Station 19," filmed the original telefilm, "Harvest of the Heart," which was one of the first vehicles to film during the pandemic. He starred in the indie feature Potato Dreams of America, which premiered at SXSW and opened in theaters in January 2022, as well as in the GLAAD Media Award nominated Hallmark Channel original movies, "The Christmas House 2: Deck Those Halls" and "The Christmas House." Next on the horizon, he'll host iHeart's PrideCast Podcast.

Bennett's first foray into a studio film was Paramount's smash hit Mean Girls from producer Lorne Michaels and writer Tina Fey in which he starred opposite Lindsay Lohan. In the romantic comedy Lovewrecked, Bennett transitioned into the love interest of Amanda Bynes. He has starred as Bo Duke in Warner Bros.' "The Dukes of Hazzard: The Beginning," the comedy romp Vegas, Baby, as the title role of National Lampoon's Van Wilder: Freshman Year, in FOX's comedy Cheaper by the Dozen 2, as Steve Martin's antagonistic son-in-law and reunited with co-star Hilary Duff for The Haunting of Sharon Tate. He also starred in the Hallmark Channel original movies "Christmas Made to Order" and "Love at First Glance," opposite Amy Smart and Adrian Grenier.

Bennett executive produced and starred in the film Authors Anonymous opposite Kaley Cuoco. He continued to wear his producing hat as well as carry a supporting role in feature Pawn with Ray Liotta and Academy Award-winner Forest Whitaker, starred in IFC Films' dramatic thriller Submerged, the comedy Do Over, the crime thriller Paid in Full and the indie drama Do You Take This Man opposite Anthony Rapp.

He previously reunited with Mean Girls co-star Lacey Chabert in the Hallmark Channel original movie "Elevator Girl," starred in the indie comedy The Assistants, Slightly Single In L.A, the drama Memorial Day with James Cromwell, the thriller Cats Dancing On Jupiter, and the romantic comedy Divorce Invitation opposite Jamie-Lynn Sigler.

Outside of the occasional guest star role on the likes of "Supergirl," "Deception," "Cane," Dick Wolf's "Law & Order: SVU," David E. Kelley's "Boston Public," "Smallville" and "Veronica Mars," Bennett's first and only foray into series television was on the Emmy Award-winning "All My Children" less than a month after moving from his native Ohio to New York City. Bennett currently resides in California with his husband, Jaymes Vaughan.

Bennett is repped by Joseph Le Talent Agency, Mosaic LA, Craig Schneider of Pinnacle Public Relations and McKuin Frankel Whitehead, LLP.

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