Top 10 Hamilton Actors: Where Are They Now?
#10: Jasmine Cephas Jones
“Hamilton” kicked off Jasmine Cephas Jones’ career, who originated the dual roles of Peggy Schuyler and Maria Reynolds in the off-Broadway version. She remained on the cast in those roles for the Broadway production, and stuck with the show until December 2016. While she has yet to make a return to the stage, she has built a relatively prolific film resumé. In 2018, she starred as Ashley in the critically acclaimed “Blindspotting”, and also appeared in “Monsters and Men” and “Dog Days.” She’s also currently in a relationship with her “Hamilton” co-star Anthony Ramos.
#9: Christopher Jackson
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Christopher Jackson is a Broadway veteran. He made his debut in 1997 with “The Lion King”, eventually earning the leading role of Simba. He proceeded to star in numerous productions before originating the role of George Washington in “Hamilton.” Jackson finished his run in November 2016, as he began starring as Chunk Palmer in CBS’s “Bull,” a courtroom drama about a jury consulting firm. In 2019, he will also provide the voices of Shujaa and Fikiri on the Disney Channel’s “The Lion Guard,” a cartoon based on “The Lion King.” Clearly, he thrives on Pride Rock!
#8: Renée Elise Goldsberry Renée Elise Goldsberry is another Broadway regular, having appeared in various notable productions like “The Color Purple,” “Rent,” and “The Lion King.” In 2015, she originated the role of Angelica Schuyler in “Hamilton”, and won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical before retiring from the show in September of 2016. Since that time, she has appeared in an episode of Netflix’s “The Get Down” and starred in “Altered Carbon” as Quellcrist Falconer. She also played Selena Izard in Eli Roth’s fantasy movie, “The House with a Clock in Its Walls."
#7: Jonathan Groff
Jonathan Groff is arguably the most recognizable actor from “Hamilton.” He’s a two-time Tony-nominated Broadway actor for his performances as Melchior in “Spring Awakening” and King George III in “Hamilton.” Since his “Hamilton” days, Groff has enjoyed success in both TV and film. He famously starred as Holden Ford in the popular Netflix series “Mindhunter,” and is set to reprise his role as Kristoff in “Frozen 2,” which will be released in 2019. The second season of “Mindhunter” is also set to come in the near future, and will follow the infamous Atlanta murders of 1979-81.
#6: Okieriete Onaodowan
Okieriete Onaodowan was an experienced stage actor before originating the dual roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in “Hamilton” in 2015. The role earned Onaodowan national attention, including a placement on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list in 2016. In July 2017, he replaced Josh Groban as Pierre Bezukhov in the Imperial Theatre’s production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” The following March, he starred as firefighter Dean Miller on ABC’s “Station 19,” a spin-off of “Grey’s Anatomy” which has been renewed for a second season.
#5: Anthony Ramos
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Ramos originally planned to be a professional baseball player before falling in love with acting while attending New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He graduated from the school in 2011 and immediately toured with various productions. In 2014 he auditioned for “Hamilton” and subsequently originated the roles of John Laurens and Philip Hamilton. Since that time, he has starred in Netflix’s “She’s Gotta Have It” and Bradley Cooper’s critically acclaimed directorial debut “A Star Is Born.” He’s also set to appear as Corporal Martinez in “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” and will provide his voice for “Trolls World Tour,” to be released in 2020. Not bad for a guy fresh out of college!
#4: Phillipa Soo
After graduating from Juilliard in 2012, Soo was cast as Natasha in an Off-Broadway production of “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812.” It was here that Thomas Kail and Lin Manuel-Miranda noticed the young, incredibly talented actress, and asked her to read for “Hamilton.” She subsequently originated the role of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, earning a Tony nomination for her work. Soo has remained incredibly busy since leaving “Hamilton” in July 2016, starring in Broadway productions of “Amélie” and “The Parisian Woman.” She has also been cast in a new CBS series called “The Code.” Her personal life has also flourished, as she married her boyfriend, actor Steven Pasquale, in September of 2017.
#3: Daveed Diggs
Daveed Diggs performed in various regional Shakespeare productions before Lin Manuel-Miranda approached him and asked him to read and listen to early versions of what would become “Hamilton.” He would later originate the roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, and earned a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his work. Since leaving “Hamilton” in 2016, he has starred in the TV shows “The Get Down” and “Black-ish.” He also wrote, produced, and starred in “Blindspotting,” which premiered at Sundance and garnered acclaim from critics. As of September 2018, it holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
#2: Leslie Odom Jr.
Leslie Odom Jr. made his Broadway debut when he was just 17 years old, appearing as Paul in “Rent.” He later worked alongside Lin Manuel-Miranda on a production of the play “Tick, Tick…Boom!” before starring alongside him in “Hamilton,” where he played Aaron Burr. The role earned Odom critical acclaim and a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Since leaving the show, Odom Jr. has released a jazz Christmas album and starred as Dr. Arbuthnot in “Murder on the Orient Express.” He also released a book in March 2018 titled “Failing Up: How to Take Risks, Aim Higher, and Never Stop Learning”, a self-help book inspired by his own experiences.
#1: Lin Manuel-Miranda
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We think it’s safe to say Lin Manuel-Miranda’s career absolutely exploded after the success of “Hamilton.” We guess that’s what writing and starring in one of the most popular musicals of all time will do for you! He’s currently co-producing and writing the music for the upcoming live-action adaptation of “The Little Mermaid.” Miranda is also writing the songs for a new Sony movie called “Vivo”, and is set to make his directorial debut with a film adaptation of “Tick, Tick…Boom!” He also stars alongside Emily Blunt in “Mary Poppins Returns.” His “Hamilton” replacement, Javier Muñoz, took over the role full-time in July 2016 before retiring in January of 2018.
