The Untold Story: 7 Fascinating Facts About Riley Keough's Husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, Including Their Two Children

Riley Keough’s husband, Ben Smith-Petersen, remains one of Hollywood’s most private and intriguing partners, despite his own impressive career in the film industry. As of December 2025, the couple is still happily married, maintaining a strong, decade-long relationship that began on a remote film set in the African desert. Their bond has been tested and strengthened by Keough’s rise to fame in projects like Daisy Jones & the Six and the profound grief following the death of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley. The latest and most exciting news surrounding the pair is the quiet, recent welcoming of their second child, a detail that underscores their commitment to privacy and family life.

This deep-dive article explores the man who captured the heart of Elvis Presley's granddaughter, detailing his Australian roots, his dangerous profession, the sweet story of how they met, and the key facts about their growing family. From his work on blockbuster films to his unwavering support for Keough, Ben Smith-Petersen is far more than just "Riley Keough's husband"—he is a Hollywood powerhouse in his own right.

Ben Smith-Petersen: The Stuntman's Profile and Biography

Ben Smith-Petersen is an accomplished Australian stuntman, actor, and producer who has built a successful career working on some of the biggest action films of the last decade. His low-key public profile stands in stark contrast to the high-octane nature of his professional work, making him a compelling figure.

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• Full Name: Benjamin Smith-Petersen
• Date of Birth: July 13, 1991
• Age (as of 2025): 34
• Place of Birth: New South Wales, Australia (often cited as Byron Bay)
• Nationality: Australian
• Occupation: Stuntman, Stunt Coordinator, Actor
• Spouse: Riley Keough (m. 2015)
• Children: Two (a daughter, Tupelo, and a second child, quietly welcomed in late 2024/early 2025)
• Notable Stunt Credits: Mad Max: Fury Road, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, The Great Gatsby, Barbie, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

The High-Octane Love Story: How Riley Met Her Stuntman Husband

The story of how Riley Keough and Ben Smith-Petersen met sounds like something straight out of a movie script—a fitting start for a Hollywood couple. Their paths first crossed in 2012 on the set of the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic film, Mad Max: Fury Road, which was shot in the deserts of Namibia.

Meeting in the Namibian Desert

Riley Keough was cast as Capable, one of Immortan Joe's wives, while Ben Smith-Petersen was working as a stuntman on the production. Although they met during the principal photography in 2012, they did not immediately begin a romantic relationship. Keough was in another relationship at the time, but she later recalled an immediate, powerful connection to the Australian stuntman.

The Reshoots That Changed Everything

A year later, the cast and crew returned for reshoots, and it was during this time that the relationship blossomed. The pair began dating in 2013. Keough has often spoken about knowing almost instantly that he was the person she was meant to marry, describing the feeling as an undeniable certainty. This profound realization led to a whirlwind romance, culminating in an engagement in 2014 and a beautiful, intimate wedding ceremony in Napa, California, in February 2015.

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7 Key Facts About Ben Smith-Petersen and His Life with Riley Keough

Beyond his profession and their cinematic meet-cute, Ben Smith-Petersen is a man of deep commitment to his family and his craft. These facts reveal the depth of his relationship with Keough and his own personal interests.

1. He Is a Veteran of the Stunt World

Ben Smith-Petersen’s career is defined by his willingness to take cinematic risks. His filmography is a list of major blockbusters, including performing stunts in *The Great Gatsby* (2013), *The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies* (2014), and more recently, the cultural phenomenon *Barbie* (2023). His work on the upcoming *Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga* brings his career full circle, returning to the franchise where he met his wife.

2. The Couple Has Quietly Welcomed Two Children

In a testament to their desire for privacy, Riley Keough and Ben Smith-Petersen have embraced parenthood away from the public eye. They welcomed their first child, a daughter named Tupelo, via surrogate in August 2022. The name Tupelo is a heartfelt tribute to the Keough family history, as Tupelo, Mississippi, is the birthplace of Riley's grandfather, the legendary Elvis Presley. In late 2024 or early 2025, the couple quietly welcomed their second child, the details of which remain private, confirming their status as a family of four.

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3. He Was a 'Rock' During Keough's Period of Grief

Following the tragic death of Riley’s brother, Benjamin Keough, in 2020, and the sudden passing of her mother, Lisa Marie Presley, in January 2023, Ben Smith-Petersen reportedly became Keough’s greatest source of strength. Sources close to the family noted that he was an "absolute rock" for Keough, helping her navigate the immense grief and legal challenges that followed, including the settlement of the estate and the trust.

4. He Is a Dedicated Practitioner of Jiu-Jitsu

Outside of his work as a stunt coordinator, Ben is known to be a passionate enthusiast of jiu-jitsu. This martial art requires intense discipline, physical strength, and mental focus, traits that undoubtedly overlap with the demands of his high-risk stunt profession. He also shares a love for tattoos and bulldogs with his wife.

5. He Has a Cameo in Daisy Jones & the Six

While Riley Keough was starring as the lead, Daisy Jones, in the hit Amazon Prime series *Daisy Jones & the Six*, her husband made a small, sweet appearance. Smith-Petersen can be seen in a brief cameo as a waiter in one of the episodes, a nod to his supportive role in her career. The series earned Keough an Emmy nomination, solidifying her status as a major actress.

6. He Is Two Years Younger Than Riley

Ben Smith-Petersen was born in July 1991, making him two years younger than Riley Keough, who was born in May 1989. This age difference is a minor detail in their relationship but is often noted by fans who are curious about the pair's dynamic.

7. He Is a Co-Writer of Riley's Emotional Eulogy for Lisa Marie Presley

The depth of his support was most publicly evident at Lisa Marie Presley's memorial service at Graceland in January 2023. Unable to read the emotional eulogy herself, Riley Keough had Ben read the powerful tribute on her behalf. The eulogy was written as a letter from Riley to her mother, and it was revealed that Ben helped her write the moving final words, which included the confirmation of their daughter's birth. This public moment cemented his role as the family's pillar of strength during their darkest time.

The Future: Family, Film, and Privacy

With the quiet arrival of their second child and Riley Keough’s continued success as an actress and now as the sole heir of the Elvis Presley estate, the couple’s focus remains firmly on family and maintaining their privacy. Ben Smith-Petersen continues to work in the stunt industry, balancing the demands of high-profile film sets with his role as a dedicated husband and father. Their enduring relationship, built on a shared passion for film and a commitment to a life away from the relentless Hollywood spotlight, serves as a refreshing example of stability in the celebrity world. The couple is expected to continue their private life in their Los Angeles home, prioritizing the well-being of their two young children.