Mike Vitar: Biography, wife, net worth, movies, legal issues

Mike Vitar: Biography, spouse, net worth, films, legal troubles

Mike Vitar, born on December 21, 1987, is a former performer best known for his role as Benny The Jet Rodriguez in the film The Sandlot.

Individuals often identify Mike Vitar as Benny “The Jet” Rodrigues from The Sandlot.

It appeared that this young lad would forge an impressive career in the film industry and portray numerous captivating roles.

However, he exited the cinematic realm rather swiftly.

The actor was born and raised in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is the youngest of three siblings. He has an older brother, Pablo P. Vitar, and an older sister, Elizabeth. His brother also pursued acting, recognized as Older Benny in the movie The Sandlot.

He began his acting journey at the tender age of 12. In 1991, he debuted as Anthony Gambuzza in the inaugural episode of the television series Brooklyn Bridge. That same year, he portrayed Arturo in the film Diplomatic Immunity.

In 1993, he featured as a boy in the movie Sunset Grill. The same year, the then 14-year-old actor took on the role of Benjamin Franklin Rodriguez in The Sandlot. The following year, this film earned him a Young Artist Award for Outstanding Youth Ensemble in a Motion Picture.

That year, he played Luis Mendoza in D2: The Mighty Ducks. Three years later, in 1996, he reprised the character in the third installment – D3: The Mighty Ducks. In the same year, he commenced work at Gerber Ambulance in Torrance. Additionally, he appeared as a teen in the NYPD Blue episode Girl Talk.
In 1997, he starred as Carlo Lunes in the early episodes of the Chicago Hope series, Mother, May I? That same year, he declared his retirement from acting.

In June 2002, he joined the Los Angeles Fire Department as a firefighter. Mike Vitar continues to serve there.

Mike Vitar’s spouse is Kym Allen, a professional photographer. They wed in 2006 and have three children together.

As of 2020, the former actor possesses a net worth of $300,000. His current employment constitutes his primary source of income.

Mike Vitar’s filmography includes Diplomatic Immunity (1991), Sunset Grill (1993), The Sandlot (1993), D2: The Mighty Ducks (1994), D3: The Mighty Ducks (1996), the TV series Brooklyn Bridge (1 episode in 1991), NYPD Blue (episode Girl Talk, 1996), and Chicago Hope (episode Mother, May I? 1997) featuring Fred Savage.

In November 2015, The Sandlot star found himself in the spotlight due to a conviction for assaulting a young man near a Halloween celebration. The incident took place on October 31, 2015, while Mike and his companions were off-duty.

The prosecutor alleged that the actor, along with two other firefighters – Eric Carpenter and Thomas Molnar – attacked Samuel Chang, who was distributing Halloween treats to children in his grandmother’s neighborhood in Chatsworth.

According to court documents, the victim endured such severe injuries that he suffered from a brain injury.

He was taken into custody on November 17, 2015, and released after posting a $60,000 bail. Vitar and Molnar faced potential sentences of up to four years. The firefighters were apprehended on December 3, 2015, and released after posting $30,000 bail each.

Nevertheless, they managed to avoid incarceration. Carpenter received three years of probation and 135 days of community service. Mike and Thomas each received three years of probation and 90 days of community service.

In 2019, Chang’s attorney disclosed that the victim would obtain $7.4 million as a settlement from the lawsuit.

As of now, Mike Vitar resides in Los Angeles with his wife and children.