In The Grinder episode “Genesis,” after undergoing therapy with his doctor/lover (Maya Rudolph), Dean Sanderson (Rob Lowe) loses his ability to grind. The loss prompts Dean to have a number of flashbacks to the days before he appeared on The Grinder. Back then, Dean was engaged to Kelly (Jenna Fischer) and was helping his friend Benji — who was auditioning for the role as The Grinder!
Benji is portrayed by Chris Klein. He’s known for his TV roles on Wilfred (Drew) and Welcome to the Captain (Marty Tanner), and in the films Election (football player Paul Metzler who runs against Reese Witherspoon) and the American Pie movies (Chris “Oz” Ostreicher). Fun fact about Klein: He got married in August 2015 to casting director Laina-Rose Thyfault (Hell’s Kitchen, For the Love of Ray J). The Grinder airs Tuesdays at 9:30pm on FOX.
