Benji Madden : biography

In January 2008, media outlets reported that Madden and his long-time fiancée, Australian starlet Sophie Monk, had split up. In response to the rumors, Good Charlotte’s rep told Us Weekly: "Benji Madden and Sophie Monk are together and very happy." However, in mid-February it was officially announced by Monk’s Sydney agent, that "Sophie and Benji have officially split. The decision was mutual and they remain amicable." News.com.au. February 13, 2008. Retrieved January 19, 2008. Soon after, Madden began dating Paris Hilton but ended their relationship after nine months. Break-up rumors began circulating in the media in mid-November, after Hilton reunited with her former boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami. TMZ.com. (2008/11/17) Retrieved April 15, 2009. Madden also dated television personality Holly Madison, from December 2009 until January 2010. However they have remained very close friends.

Madden is an avid collector of Living Dead Dolls. In an episode of MTV Cribs he showed off his vast collection. He is known for having many tattoos, including a tattoo of Ben Franklin, which covers his entire back. News.com.au. Retrieved May 13, 2009.

Madden is an avid MMA and Boxing fan. He has competed in several amateur fights since 2010.

Career

In the 2001 film Not Another Teen Movie, Benji, Joel, and the other Good Charlotte members made a cameo as the band at the school’s prom. Madden made another appearance in the 2006 film Material Girls with his brother Joel. YouTube.com. Retrieved on January 19, 2009.

Madden started a clothing line called MADE Clothing along with his brothers Joel and Josh. "MADE" stands for the will to fight and die for those who you love. The line is now defunct. In early 2006, MADE Clothing became DCMA Collective. The line is owned by himself, his brothers Joel and Josh, and friend Tal Cooperman. A DCMA Collective store was opened in Los Angeles, California, on March 15, 2008.

While still playing in Good Charlotte, Madden and Joel take part in a side project group called the Dead Executives. Madden was a co-writer and co-producer of some of the songs on Hilary Duff’s Most Wanted (2005) compilation album. He also co-wrote the theme song for Paris Hilton’s reality show "My New BFF." Retrieved on January 24, 2009. He has appeared as a back-up vocalist for artists such as MxPx, Kill Hannah, Apoptygma Berzerk, Mest, The 69 Eyes, Sean Kingston, Three 6 Mafia, Chamillionaire, and Matisyahu. Twitter. September 18, 2009. As of September 2009 Madden has joined the band Taintstick, fronted by radio talk show host, professional MMA fighter, and pro skateboarder, Jason Ellis.

On April 3, 2010, Benji partook in a boxing match against MTV and VH1 host Riki Rachtman at Ellismania 5: Get These Brawls. The event was hosted by Jason Ellis at The Joint in the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Rachtman made several public statements against Benji and Good Charlotte prior to the fight, presumably to enrage Benji and cause him to exhaust himself early in the fight. Benji beat Rachtman by knockout 1 minute and 42 seconds into the first round.

Madden was also a judge for the 10th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists’ careers.

On November 11, 2011 he and Joel released a free mixtape named "The Madden Brothers: Before Volume 1" It contains new artists the brothers were personally interested in. Their brother Josh Madden helped to produce the mixtape.

In December 2011, it was announced that Benji and Joel are recording an acoustic album that will be released sometime in 2012.

In 2012, Benji appeared on TV show, The Voice Australia, alongside Joel and being his mentor.

In early 2013, Benji helped write Tonight Alive’s song "Breakdown" and also made an appearance in the video for the song as well as singing towards the end of it.

Early life

Benjamin "Benji" Madden was born as Benjamin Levi Combs on March 11, 1979 in the town of Waldorf, Maryland. He has an identical twin Joel Madden, with whom he formed the band Good Charlotte. He has an older brother named Josh, who helps design their DCMA Collective clothing line. Madden also has a younger sister, Sarah. Madden attended La Plata High School in La Plata, Maryland.