Benji Madden is no doubt best known as one of the talented, sexy, piercing-and-tattoo-covered members of the popular and successful pop rock band Good Charlotte.

Benji Madden’s full name is Benjamin Levi Madden, although he was born as Benjamin Levi Combs on March 11, 1979. His three siblings also went by their father’s name of Combs, but when Benji and his twin brother, Joel Madden started Good Charlotte, they all decided to get rid of the Combs name in favor of Madden, their mother’s maiden name, because their father abandoned the entire family when the twins were teenagers.

Benji, Good Charlotte’s main guitarist and back-up singer, and Joel, the band’s lead singer, have two other siblings: older brother Josh Madden, with whom they own and run MADE, a popular clothing brand characterized by its brass knuckles logo; and younger sister Sarah Madden, who is currently the lead singer of the band Her Daily Obsession.

Benji, nicknamed Kid Vicious in school, was considered a major troublemaker, and, as a result, was regularly blamed for whatever shenanigans twin brother Joel was up to. Benji is also decorated rather extensively with various piercings, as well as tattoos, most notably of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and one tattoo of The Last Supper, featuring Jesus with His disciples at the table).

Good Charlotte originated in a Christian coffeehouse in Maryland back in April of 1996, when Benji and Joel were only seventeen. The band has also included loyal members and friends Paul Thomas on bass and Billy Martin on guitar and keyboards. The drummer role transferred from Aaron Escolopio to Chris Wilson to current drummer Dean Butterworth.

Good Charlotte has produced three albums between 2000 and 2004, the most popular and successful being 2002’s multi-platinum-selling The Young and the Hopeless, an album which perpetuated Benji and the other members of Good Charlotte into international stardom. The Young and the Hopeless generated the super popular hit single “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”

Benji has made some television appearances recently, most notably in 2004 on Ashton Kutcher’s Punk’d alongside brother Joel, who two years later pranked Michelle Trachtenberg on the same show; and on MTV’s All Things Rock, a show in which both Benji and Joel hosted.

Besides Good Charlotte, the clothing company MADE, and being featured on TV together, Benji and Joel also launched another clothing line, DCMA Collective, as well as their very own recording company, called DC Flag Records, which also features Paul Shull and Steve Feinberg.

Benji is currently dating Sophie Monk, an Australian pop star and actress.

YUDDY