His parents are German actor Heinz Bennent and French former dancer Diane Mansart.

[1] He has lived in Germany and France as well as Switzerland and speaks fluent German, French and English.

When he was 11 he starred in The Tin Drum,[2] which caused much controversy because he was shown in sex scenes with an adult.

At age 17, he starred as Honeythorn Gump in the film Legend, co-starring with Tom Cruise and Mia Sara.

[2] Bennent has appeared in such plays as Peer Gynt (2004), Die Juden (2003), Michael Kramer (2003), and A Midsummer Night's Dream (2002).