Riley Keough is a world-renowned actress and model best known for her roles in Mad Max: Fury Road and The Lodge, as well as her modeling work with the likes of Gucci, Dior, and Marc Jacobs. The star has been happily married to Australian stuntman, Ben Smith-Petersen, since 2015. But who exactly is the man behind Keough’s amazing support system? Keep reading to learn more about the mysterious and talented man behind the scenes.
Early Life of Ben Smith-Petersen
Ben Smith-Petersen was born in July 1991 and was raised in Bondi Beach, Australia. According to reports, Smith-Petersen attended St. Joseph’s College in Australia, where he is said to have been an excellent student. He attended the University of Wollongong and completed a degree in media and communications.
Smith-Petersen’s Career
Smith-Petersen began his stunt career in Australia before eventually making the move to Hollywood, where he began to land high-profile films and television roles. His most prominent roles include stunts for films such as X-Men: Apocalypse and Mad Max: Fury Road. Smith-Petersen is also a professional diver, which is why he landed the prestigious title of head diving coach for the US Olympics team.
Smith-Petersen and Keough’s Relationship
Smith-Petersen began dating Keough in 2014, and the couple soon became engaged. Keough opened up about their engagement to Vogue in 2015, saying “I’ve never been this happy before. I definitely wasn’t sure if I wanted to get married, but we’re really into each other and we’re really good at being together.”
In February 2015, the couple tied the knot in Napa Valley in a romantic and private ceremony attended only by their closest family and friends. They chose not to release any photos or details of the ceremony, however, stating that it was a very personal and special moment for them and that they wanted to keep it private.
Keough and Smith-Petersen’s Life Together
Since wedding, Keough and Smith-Petersen have been living happily together in Los Angeles. The couple have shared many happy moments together, from trips abroad to sporting events, and are often spotted around town holding hands and being affectionate with one another.
In 2018, Keough opened up about her relationship with Smith-Petersen at the SXSW Film Festival, saying that “when you’re with someone who supports you and loves you and respects you, you’re able to do things that you couldn’t do if you were alone”.
Riley Keough is quick to praise her husband, too, often sharing photos of them on social media and speaking out about him in interviews. In an interview with People magazine, she said “I think that being in a relationship is the most meaningful thing you can do…what’s more meaningful than finding someone you can be with and build a life with?”.
Smith-Petersen’s Interests and Hobbies
When he isn’t on-set performing stunts, Smith-Petersen has many hobbies and interests to turn to. Smith-Petersen is an avid traveler and often shares photos of his trips abroad on his social media accounts. He also enjoys surfing and spending time at the beach with Keough, as well as watching sports such as basketball and American football.
Smith-Petersen is also an animal lover and often shares photos of his two pet pigs on social media. His pet pigs are named Austin and Valerie and are often featured on his Instagram posts.
Final Thoughts on Ben Smith-Petersen
The world may know him as the loving husband of actress and model Riley Keough, but Ben Smith-Petersen is so much more than that. This talented stuntman and sports enthusiast has worked his way up the Hollywood ladder, earning his stripes and developing a relationship with Keough along the way. With a life that involves travel and adventure, there’s no doubt that Smith-Petersen is living his best life.
