Jimmy Bennett

Early life

Bennett was born on February 9, 1996, in Seal Beach, California, and lives with his parents and sister in Huntington Beach, California, where the family ran a hard rock–themed crêpe restaurant. Bennett also plays guitar and sings on his official YouTube channel. He also wrote and performed the song "Summer Never Ends", which can be heard at the end of Shorts.

Career

Bennett appeared in nearly 30 television advertisements, as well as in episodes of the television series The Guardian and Strong Medicine, before being cast in the role of "Tony", the boy who wants to be the Flash, in the Eddie Murphy comedy Daddy Day Care. He had smaller roles in the films Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Arthur Hailey's Detective, and also appeared in Judging Amy, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Everwood, and lent his voice to characters in the animated films The Polar Express, The Jungle Book 2, Winnie the Pooh: Springtime with Roo, Pooh's Heffalump Halloween Movie and I Want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown. He has been nominated for Young Artist Awards five times.

In August 2011, Bennett released his debut single "Over Again" and the accompanying music video.

Sexual assault allegations against Asia Argento

According to documents obtained by The New York Times, a $380,000 settlement was made between Bennett and actress Asia Argento after Bennett claimed that Argento sexually assaulted him in a California hotel room in 2013, when he was 17 and Argento was 37. Bennett said that after the encounter he began to feel "extremely confused, mortified, and disgusted".

Bennett's lawyer wrote that in the years after the incident, Bennett was so traumatized that his job performance, income, and mental health declined. They first met when Bennett played Argento's son in the 2004 film The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things when Bennett was 7 years old and she was 28. He notified Argento that he intended to sue in November 2017, shortly after she went public with rape accusations against Harvey Weinstein. Argento countered that Bennett "sexually attacked" her, and that her partner Anthony Bourdain had arranged to pay $380,000 as part of the settlement.

Following Argento's denials, a photograph of her topless in bed with Bennett was published, as well as her alleged admission of sex with him in text messages to model Rain Dove. In the screenshots, Argento reputedly stated: "I had sex with him it felt weird. I didn't know he was a minor until the shakedown letter." Dove confirmed in a statement that they had provided the texts to police in response to Argento's apparent admission to "sexual engagement with a minor ... which is an illegal act that can qualify as statutory rape," as well as "receiving continued nude images without reporting/blocking the account/written rejection/or action."

In August 2018, the actress Rose McGowan spoke out in support of Bennett. She wrote to Argento: "You were my friend. I loved you. I really hope you find your way through this process to rehabilitation and betterment. Do the right thing. Be honest. Be fair. Let justice stay its course. [...] be the person you wish Harvey could have been."

In a letter published online in September, Argento's attorney admitted there was a sexual encounter, but claimed Bennett "sexually attacked" Argento. As of September 2018, Bennett and his lawyer Gordon Sattro were working with a Los Angeles County Sheriff's investigation regarding the claims of sexual assault against Argento.

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. Severson, Kim. (August 19, 2018). "Asia Argento, Who Accused Weinstein, Made Deal With Her Own Accuser". [[The New York Times]].
2. Epting, Chris. (December 29, 2010). "In the Pipeline: Rock history is on the menu". [[Tronc]].
3. "LA Teen Festival The Magazine".
4. "Rockin The Crepe".
5. "Jimmy Bennett Biography, Celebrity Facts and Awards". NTVB Media.
6. (August 18, 2011). "EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Bennett Debuts 'Over Again' Music Video". ClevverTV.
7. Severson, Kim. (August 19, 2018). "Asia Argento, Who Accused Weinstein, Made Deal With Her Own Accuser". [[The New York Times]].
8. North, Anna. (August 23, 2018). "The sexual assault allegations against #MeToo advocate Asia Argento, explained". [[Vox Media]].
9. (March 5, 2006). "Telling Tales".
10. Puente, Maria. (August 22, 2018). "Jimmy Bennett speaks about Asia Argento: We DID have sex when I was underage". [[Gannett Company]].
11. Miller, Julie. (October 1, 2018). "Asia Argento Details Alleged Assault By Jimmy Bennett; Asks X Factor Italy to Rehire Her". [[Condé Nast]].
12. Melas, Chloe. (September 5, 2018). "Asia Argento's attorney says 17-year-old sexually 'attacked' her". [[Turner Broadcasting Systems]].
13. (2018-08-23). "Photo, text messages appear to contradict Asia Argento's denial of relationship".
14. Marcus, Emily. (2018-08-29). "Rain Dove Sent Asia Argento Texts About Sexual Assault Case to Authorities".
15. Vercammen, Sara Sidner, Paul. (2018-08-29). "Rain Dove speaks out about Asia Argento allegations".
16. (2018-08-28). "Asia Argento: Rose McGowan speaks up for accuser Jimmy Bennett".
17. Melas, Chloe. (2018-09-05). "Asia Argento's attorney says 17-year-old sexually 'attacked' her".
18. Winton, Richard. (September 7, 2018). "Young actor accusing Asia Argento of sex abuse as a minor will work with detectives, his lawyer says". [[Los Angeles Times]].
19. (17 February 2014). "Issues - Stingray Affliction'".
20. (17 February 2014). "Issues - Stingray Affliction'".
21. (January 18, 2021). "Machine Gun Kelly - Downfalls High".