| Full Name | Leslie Odom Jr. |
| Birthday | August 6, 1981 |
| Birth Place | Queens, New York, United States |
| Age | 41 |
| Height | 5‘ 7" (1.7 m) |
| Spouse | Nicolette Robinson (m. 2012) |
| Children | 2 |
| Net Worth | $10 million |
| Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram |
As a longtime fan, I‘m thrilled to introduce Leslie Odom Jr. – the incredibly talented actor and singer best known for originating the role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway blockbuster Hamilton. Leslie‘s charismatic stage presence, smooth vocals, and emotional depth have propelled him to become one of the most sought-after performers today. There‘s so much to admire about this versatile star!
Early Life and Arts Immersion
Leslie Odom Jr. was born on August 6, 1981 in Queens, New York. From childhood, he was surrounded by music and performance. Leslie‘s mother was a teacher and his father sang with the R&B group The Temptones. He attended the prestigious LaGuardia High School to study drama.
Even as a teen, Leslie displayed his talents by singing backup for artists like Jessica Simpson. He performed in his high school punk band playing electric guitar. Leslie later graduated from Carnegie Mellon University‘s elite drama program. This early arts immersion shaped him into the consummate "triple threat" performer he is today.
Theatre Career Rise
After college, Leslie landed his first Broadway gig in 2002 understudying roles in Rent. From there, he steadily built up his musical theatre resume by starring in shows like Leap of Faith, Once on This Island and Venice. His charismatic stage presence and smooth vocal abilities made him a standout performer.
Leslie‘s big break came in 2015 when he originated the role of Aaron Burr in the off-Broadway production of Hamilton. When the show moved to Broadway, Leslie helped catapult it into a cultural phenomenon with his complex, show-stopping performance. For embodying Burr, he won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical.
Film, TV, and Music Success
Concurrently with his theatre rise, Leslie began booking roles on TV shows like Smash, Person of Interest, and Central Park. On film, he‘s appeared in projects like Red Tails, Harriet, and One Night in Miami. Leslie also flexes his smooth vocals on jazz albums like his self-titled debut and holiday release Simply Christmas.
In 2021, Leslie reunited with Hamilton creator Lin-Manuel Miranda to star in Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway. No matter the medium, Leslie‘s charisma and talent light up the screen and stage.
Accolades and Achievements
Beyond his Tony, Leslie has won a Grammy for Hamilton‘s cast album and for his own Christmas album. He penned a memoir called Failing Up in 2018. As a producer, he‘s been involved in projects like the series Love in the Time of Corona. Leslie also uses his platform to champion arts education and social causes dear to his heart.
Some fun facts about this multi-talented performer:
- He is a trained dancer in ballet, hip hop, tap, and jazz
- Leslie is left-handed but taught himself guitar and piano righty
- He sang in a high school punk band called Outta Control
- His wife Nicolette Robinson co-starred with him in Waitress
Why Leslie Odom Jr. is a Star
There are so many reasons Leslie Odom Jr. shines as a star:
- Electric stage presence and smooth vocals
- Emotional depth in acting performances
- Charming personality that wins over audiences
- hard-working ethic across multiple creative outlets
- Collaborates well with artists like Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Utilizes his platform to champion arts education and social causes
Leslie conveys passion in every performance. His rich singing voice flawlessly blends musical theater, pop, jazz, and R&B styles. As an actor, he taps into emotional complexity, especially in musical roles like Burr. During interviews, Leslie‘s wit and humor delight fans.
Overall, Leslie Odom Jr. represents the ideal blend of talent, work ethic, and character. His meteoric rise to fame has never compromised his integrity or artistry. Leslie‘s future continues to shine bright as he expands his creative horizons. I can‘t wait to see what this consummate entertainer does next!
