LESLIE ODOM JR.

Leslie Odom Jr., born Leslie Lloyd Odom Jr. on August 6, 1981, in Queens, New York City, is a distinguished American actor, singer, songwriter, and author. Raised in Philadelphia, he honed his artistic talents early on, performing in church choirs and participating in theater productions. Odom's passion for the arts led him to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater from Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in 2003 .

Broadway Breakthrough and Musical Career

At 17, Odom made his Broadway debut in the musical Rent. He gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical Hamilton, a role that earned him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 2016 . His performance was also featured in the Disney+ film adaptation of Hamilton, which garnered critical acclaim.

Beyond theater, Odom has established a successful music career. He has released several albums, including Leslie Odom Jr. (2014), Simply Christmas (2016), Mr (2019), The Christmas Album (2020), and When a Crooner Dies (2023) . His musical versatility spans jazz, holiday classics, and original compositions, earning him multiple Grammy Awards.

Film and Television Roles

Odom's filmography includes notable roles such as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami (2020), for which he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations . He also appeared in Harriet (2019), Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022), and The Exorcist: Believer (2023).

On television, Odom voiced Owen Tillerman in the animated series Central Park (2020–2022) and made guest appearances in shows like Abbott Elementary and The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder .

Personal Life and Recent Endeavors

Odom married actress Nicolette Kloe Robinson in 2012, and the couple has two children. In 2023, Odom returned to Broadway, starring in the revival of Purlie Victorious, a performance that earned him a Tony Award nomination . In 2025, he announced his return to Hamilton for a limited engagement from September 9 to November 23, 2025, at the Richard Rodgers Theatre .