Benjamin Flores Jr. Bio
Benjamin Christopher Flores Jr. (born July 24, 2002) is an American actor and rapper who began his entertainment career as a child performer in Memphis, Tennessee. He gained early recognition through television appearances before landing starring roles on Nickelodeon series. As a rapper, he performs under the moniker BNJII (formerly Lil’ P-Nut) and has released original music. He has successfully transitioned from children’s television to dramatic roles in mainstream film and streaming series, building a diverse career spanning comedy, action, and thriller genres.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Christopher Flores Jr. was born on July 24, 2002, in Memphis, Tennessee. His passion for performance emerged at a young age, and he began pursuing entertainment opportunities while still a child. At age 7, he was interviewed by a local Memphis Fox 13 television station, which led to his breakthrough appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show where he performed his first rap single titled “You Might Be the One for Me.”
The song was released on September 25, 2010, marking his official entry into the music industry. Following this early success, he released additional tracks including “Bad Dream” and “Choosin’” while continuing to develop his performance skills. He also collaborated with artist Cymphonique on the song “All That,” further establishing his presence in the entertainment world.
Path to Actor
While building his music career, Flores began exploring acting opportunities. He appeared in an episode of the TBS sitcom Are We There Yet? and landed a voice acting role as Atticus the rapping penguin in the animated film Happy Feet 2, which was released in 2011. These early roles helped him develop essential acting skills and gain valuable set experience.
Flores continued to expand his acting resume with a cameo appearance in Yo Gotti’s music video for “Look In The Mirror.” His feature film debut came with a role in the comedy film Ride Along, released in January 2014. These diverse experiences in television, film, and music videos prepared him for the significant opportunity that would soon arrive.
Benjamin Flores Jr. Career
Early Career (2013–2015)
In 2013, Flores was cast in a starring role on the Nickelodeon television series The Haunted Hathaways, playing Louie Preston, a young ghost who resides in the same house with a living family called the Hathaways. The supernatural comedy series ran for two seasons and showcased his ability to perform comedic material while working alongside experienced cast members.
His performance as Louie earned him significant recognition. He was nominated for Favorite TV Actor at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards in both 2014 and 2015 for his work on The Haunted Hathaways. These nominations marked his first major industry recognition and established him as a rising young talent in children’s entertainment.
Breakthrough (2015–2019)
On July 7, 2015, Flores was announced as a co-star in Dan Schneider’s newest television series Game Shakers. He played the role of Triple G, the son of famous rapper Double G, portrayed by Kel Mitchell. Game Shakers ran for three seasons from 2015 to 2019 and became one of Nickelodeon’s most popular series during its run. The show allowed Flores to showcase both his acting abilities and his musical background.
During this period, Flores continued to pursue film opportunities. On June 13, 2016, he was announced as the new voice of Gerald Johanssen in the Nickelodeon television movie Hey Arnold!: The Jungle Movie. In 2017, he appeared in the fantasy-action film Transformers: The Last Knight, joining the cast of the major blockbuster franchise.
Notable Works and Milestones
Flores transitioned into more dramatic roles as he approached adulthood. In 2018, he was cast in the Netflix film Rim of the World, which was released in May 2019. In 2021, he starred as Josh in The Fear Street Trilogy on Netflix, appearing in all three films of the horror series that began with Fear Street Part One: 1994. From 2020 to 2021, he played Eugene Jones in the Showtime television series Your Honor alongside Bryan Cranston and Hunter Doohan, demonstrating his ability to handle serious dramatic material.
Benjamin Flores Jr. Award Nominations
Benjamin Flores Jr. has received multiple award nominations throughout his career, primarily for his work in children’s entertainment. His most notable recognition came from the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards, where he was nominated for Favorite TV Actor in both 2014 and 2015 for his performance as Louie Preston in The Haunted Hathaways.
Benjamin Flores Jr. Awards Won
While Benjamin Flores Jr. has received multiple nominations for his performances, no verified award wins are documented in available sources. He continues to build his career with increasingly diverse and challenging roles across film and television platforms.
Personal Life
Benjamin Flores Jr. continues to pursue both acting and music as parallel creative endeavors. Under the stage name BNJII, he continues to release rap music and develop his sound as an artist. Born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, he maintains his connection to his hometown while working in Los Angeles for his acting career. His experience growing up in the entertainment industry has allowed him to develop versatility across multiple genres and formats, from children’s television to horror films to dramatic series.