LOS ANGELES — A national search to re-cast the role of Benjamin Bentley came to a successful conclusion this week with talented actor-singer-activist Grant Vaughn Davis named to take the lead in Something Like Summer, producers announced.
Grant, 18, is a native of Carson City, Nev., who now lives in San Diego. He has packed a lot of experience into his young life, and it showed in the multiple auditions he had to undertake for the role of Ben Bentley.
“Grant wouldn’t take no for an answer,” said director J.T. Tepnapa. “He proved himself willing and able to tackle the challenges of this role. The whole movie rides on his performance, and he has the energy, drive and talent to make it happen.”
MORE THAN 600 guys across North America sought the role, with live auditions eventually held in New York City and Los Angeles and via Skype video calls. Grant faced competition from a small number of talented finalists with extensive résumés in film, television, theater and Broadway.
SEE AND HEAR Grant Davis in this video recounting production of his first album.
The production arranged for the top three contenders for Ben to audition for producer Hunter Arnold and musical director Cian McCarthy in New York, and Grant shone there.
“In this film we see Ben Bentley’s character across a range of ages and coming into his own vocally,” Hunter said. “Grant’s incredible versatility makes him ideally suited for a role that most vocalists would find intimidating.”
The grueling set of auditions presented a necessary set of hurdles for Grant to surmount, said writer-producer Carlos Pedraza.
“We all put Grant through his paces to win this role because we had to be certain,” Carlos said. “Now we know he’s the guy. And he turns out to be a young man with the kind of character people will admire in its own right.”
NOVEL FAN Grant is an ardent admirer of author Jay Bell’s novel on which the movie is based, and said he has dreamed of playing Ben since he first read it.

“Ben is one of those characters that comes along once every so often,” Grant said. “Someone real, someone with flaws, someone who wants to matter to another person, just like all of us. To get to live in that role for the next few months is an incredible honor.”
Meanwhile, Jay Bell himself is thrilled Grant is taking on the role: “If Grant doesn’t win you over immediately with his smile (he will), then his singing voice will melt your heart. I have no doubt that readers will soon picture his face when hearing the name Benjamin Bentley.”

Grant’s musical style combines classic pop and adult contemporary genres with a jazzy edge reminiscent of Josh Groban, Michael Buble and Chris Botti. He cites singer Sam Harris as an inspiration, prompting a reply from Harris himself.
“I was thrilled when I heard that this talented young man … mentions me as his inspiration,” Harris said.
GETTING ATTENTION Grant first came to national attention via NPR with his heartfelt song, “Just a Child.” The song chronicles his own family’s emotional struggle with his teen sister’s drug abuse.

“Just a Child” was part of a music contest sponsored by The National Institute on Drug Abuse, MusiCares and the Grammy Foundation to raise teen awareness about substance abuse.
His song placed third, winning Grant a backstage visit during rehearsals for the Grammy Awards. The song aired on various websites, including Grammy 365, MTV, and the Above the Influence Campaign.
TED TALK Grant went on to advocate on behalf of families struggling with drug abuse at a TEDx Talk the following year at the University of Nevada, titled “What About Me?”
Grant’s acting credits include roles in the film Dam California, and the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives. His theater credits include Rent, Hairspray and Into the Woods. He has sung in hundreds of live performances.
Grant is represented by Wendy Alane Wright of WAW Entertainment of Los Angeles, and the film’s casting effort was led by casting director Patti Carns Kalles, CSA.
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First impression is that he is not really my idea of Ben. Need to see more current pics of Grant as at the moment I am not too sure.
Hope he is an actor who can sing rather than the other way round as the acting role of Ben is fundamental to the success of the movie. Anyway good luck.
Very happy with the choice of the new Ben 🙂
Good luck to Grant Davis !
And now , we can stop calling him the “new ” Ben 🙂
Congrats to the film crew for the great find ! 🙂
Now go back to making the movie please !! 😉
All the best to everyone involved ! 🙂 xox
Really happy that you’ve found someone to play Ben. I confess, just seeing the photo at the top I wasn’t so sure he was ‘right’ for it BUT then I watched the video, and yes, he was only 16 then but within minutes I went from thinking: “I’m not so sure he’s right’ to “OMG he’s SO right to play Ben!” A picture can’t really convey ‘how’ a person is so I’m so glad you posted a video. I hope you will post another with him at his current age so we can get a proper ‘feel’ for him. And I’m so glad he has acting experience 🙂 and that he is a fan of Jay Bell’s book – that’s awesome!! Welcome to the cast, Grant! I look forward to seeing you in the role!!
Wow, So lucky to have found a second good match for the role of Ben.
Grant is definitely watchable and what a lovely voice! By the end of his video I was mentally calling him Ben. Woot! Congratulations!
After seeing his video cover of Sara Bereilles’ “Gravity” on his Youtube channel, I am convinced that he can play Ben. Break a leg to the entire cast and crew!
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He is not really what I envisioned Ben in my mind. More importantly, in terms of musicality — I’m still undecided having seen Austin’s caliber. Austin’s voice gives me the heavy goosebumps but Grant’s vocal range is lower comparatively and his voice just doesn’t bite. I don’t know. Prove me wrong, I guess? I may change my mind if I see his rapport with Davi and Ben Baur. Benjamin, the character, has that quiet authority and fierceness that is uniquely Ben. I also have to see that.
He’s got the voice, I just hope he has the talent as an actor to play Ben. I trust those involved with this movie made the best choice they could. I like the fact that he’s openly gay as well.
I just watched the movie.
I’m a 49 year old gay man. Grant painfully reminded me of how pure and strong a high schoolers feelings can be.
I loved him in every age he played.
I think I will cry for a week…lol…
I hope Grant Davis has a long and successful life and career.