Profile
- Birthday: March 26, 1985
- Birthplace: Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA
- Age: 38 years old
- Height: 5‘ 11"
- Partner: Corey Baker (2022–present)
- Net Worth: $5 million
Background and Path to Stardom
Jonathan Drew Groff was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1985 and discovered a love of theater early on. He performed in musicals at a local theater during high school. After graduating from Conestoga Valley High School in 2003, Jonathan went on to study at Carnegie Mellon University‘s prestigious School of Drama.
While a student at Carnegie Mellon, Jonathan landed his first professional acting role as Rolf in a national tour production of The Sound of Music. This was just the beginning of a meteoric rise to stardom.
Broadway Beginnings and Breakout Acclaim
After graduating with his BFA in Musical Theatre in 2005, Jonathan Groff soon found himself making his Broadway debut. In 2006, he originated the starring role of Melchior Gabor in the punk rock musical Spring Awakening. Jonathan‘s moving portrayal earned him a Theatre World Award and Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Musical.
Over the next few years, Jonathan delivered stunning performances in Broadway shows like In My Life and Hair. But his biggest Broadway role came in 2015 when he joined the original cast of the smash hit Hamilton. Jonathan stole scenes nightly as the hilarious King George III, winning audiences and acclaim.
Scene-Stealing TV Roles
Jonathan first appeared on TV in 2009 with a guest role as Rachel‘s love interest Jesse St. James on Glee. His rendition of "Rolling in the Deep" became an instant fan favorite. Jonathan would pop up in various episodes of Glee over the years, always delivering pitch-perfect performances.
In 2015, Jonathan landed his first leading TV role on HBO‘s groundbreaking series Looking. His nuanced portrayal of Patrick Murray earned him an Emmy nomination and praise from critics. Jonathan‘s ability to find humor and humanity in every character makes him a scene stealer.
Hollywood Films and Voice Acting
In addition to his extensive stage credits, Jonathan has appeared in films like C.O.G., Frozen, Frozen II, and The Matrix Resurrections. He voiced the role of Kristoff in both Frozen movies, showcasing his stellar singing voice.
Jonathan‘s voice work also includes characters in Disney‘s Tangled series and Central Park. And animation fans will recognize his vocals on the soundtracks for Frozen and Trolls.
Receiving Rave Reviews from Co-Stars
Despite his many accolades and achievements, Jonathan is regarded by co-stars as being humble and gracious. Glee creator Ryan Murphy called him "a musical theater rock star" who is "sweet [and] wonderful."
Idina Menzel, who has worked with Jonathan multiple times, described him as "crazy talented" and said, "I‘m just in awe of his acting and singing." It‘s clear Jonathan‘s colleagues are also his biggest fans.
Fascinating Facts Only a Fan Would Know
- Jonathan‘s first paid acting gig was dressing up like Barney the dinosaur for children‘s parties as a teen.
- He loves baking and takes cookies to the casts of his shows.
- His dog Frankie is named after singer Frankie Valli, whom he adores.
- Jonathan has appeared in over 25 theatrical productions.
- He prefers being barefoot and is often seen without shoes in interviews.
Conclusion
Few performers have shown the range and depth of talent that Jonathan Groff possesses. His portrayals on stage and screen have proven him to be one of the most gifted actors and singers of his generation. Jonathan‘s passion, artistry, and kindness have earned him devoted fans worldwide who eagerly await his next project. He has undeniably cemented his place as a Broadway legend and Hollywood star for years to come.