KINGSTON, R.I. – Oct. 21, 2010 – For years, he messed with the minds of viewers around the world as the master manipulator Benjamin Linus on the phenomenally successful ABC show LOST.

Michael Emerson – better known to viewers as the villainous Benjamin Linus from LOST – will visit Edwards Hall, 64 Upper College Road, on the University of Rhode Island’s Kingston campus Sunday, Oct. 24 at 8 p.m. An Emmy Award winner last year for his portrayal of Linus, Emerson will discuss life behind the scenes of the show, as well as the trials and tribulations of being an actor.

URI’s Student Entertainment Committee is putting on the event, which will feature an extended question-and-answer session.

“In looking at potential speakers to bring to campus, we aim for people who the URI community would learn from,” said freshman Eric Kretsch, the public relations coordinator for the SEC. “Faculty and students in our film media department, the theater department or any student with an interest in acting would certainly have a chance to learn from someone like Michael Emerson.”

The presence of Emerson also would appeal to any fan of the show, which averaged more than 11 million viewers per episode during the course of its six-year run.

“We want events with a large appeal to the overall community, both at URI and with the community around us,” Kretsch said. “With Michael Emerson, he’ll be able to talk about what it’s really like behind the scenes on a show like LOST. This was a major hit with a wide fan base, so there is widespread interest.”

Emerson, who is married to Carrie Preston of HBO’s True Blood, will be appearing on an upcoming episode of that drama. He also gained notice for his role in the horror thriller Saw.

Tickets for the show are $10 for URI students and $20 for the general public and can be purchased at the URI Box Office or via www.ticketmaster.com. For more information, contact the SEC at 401.874.5298.