Chester Charles Bennington (born March 20, 1976) is an American musician, singer-songwriter and actor. He is best known as the lead vocalist and songwriter of the rock band Linkin Park.

Bennington was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He took interest in music at a young age, citing Depeche Mode and Stone Temple Pilots as early inspirations. Bennington's parents separated in the late 1980s. He later struggled with cocaine and methamphetamine addictions.Bennington eventually overcame his drug addiction, and would go on to denounce drug use in future interviews.He worked at a fast food restaurant before starting his career as a professional musician.

Chester Bennington has two children from a previous relationship with Elka Brand; Jamie and Isaiah. Bennington married his first wife, Samantha Marie Olit, on October 31, 1996. They had one child together, Draven Sebastian Bennington, who was born on April 19, 2002.Bennington’s relationship with his first wife declined during his early years with Linkin Park, and they divorced in 2005.After divorcing his first wife, Bennington married Talinda Ann Bentley, a former Playboy model,with whom he has had a child, Tyler Lee Bennington. The wedding ceremony was custom designed and performed by Mary Jean Valente of "A Ceremony of the Heart". Bennington and his family live in a house in Gilbert, Arizona when he is not on tour.

Bennington is a tattoo enthusiast.Bennington has done work and promotions with Club Tattoo, a recognized tattoo parlor in Tempe, Arizona.He showed off his tattoos by posing shirtless for PETA's "Ink, Not Mink" anti-fur campain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Bennington