Anthony Rapp

Anthony Rapp, best known for originating the role of Mark Cohen in the Tony Award-winning rock opera "Rent," also played significant roles in Broadway productions such as "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "If/Then." His career extends to a successful stint in television, most notably as Lt. Commander Paul Stamets on "Star Trek: Discovery" from 2017 to 2024, becoming the first openly gay character in the Star Trek television series. Rapp's portrayal of his characters in "Rent," from Off-Broadway to Broadway, from Chicago to London, and eventually in the Sony Pictures major motion picture adaptation in 2005, has been met with critical acclaim, sharing an OBIE (Off-Broadway) Award with the rest of the cast.

Branching into other areas of performance, Rapp released a solo album "Look Around" in 2000, and even explored his voice-over skills in video games like "Star Trek Online: Awakening". His successes in film include appearances in "Adventures in Babysitting" and "Dazed and Confused," among many others. Additionally, his television credits include roles in "Spin City," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "The Good Fight," and the aforementioned "Star Trek: Discovery."

In 2006, Rapp published his national best-selling memoir "Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent." The book chronicled his experiences during the original run of "Rent" and his personal struggle with losing his mother to cancer and served as the foundation for his one-man show.

Off-screen and stage, Rapp is known for his advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, being openly queer himself. He also revealed in 2019 that he was engaged to his partner, Ken Ithiphol, with whom he has two children born via surrogacy. As a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, he co-hosts the baseball podcast "The Clubhouse" and, in August 2016, had the honor of throwing the first pitch and singing the Star Spangled Banner at a Cubs game.

Rapp's contributions extend to the community, serving on the non-profit organization Friends In Deed board, which provides emotional support for anyone diagnosed with life-threatening physical illnesses and their families. At the podium, Rapp often shares insights from his career, the loss of his friend and "Rent" playwright, Jonathan Larson, and his mother's battle with cancer, highlighting the social importance of shows like "Rent" and their contribution to thrusting LGBT, HIV/AIDS, and poverty issues into the national spotlight.

Rapp is available in partnership with Collective Speakers.