Leslie Odom Jr.

Leslie Odom Jr. is an actor and singer who began his acting career on Broadway in 1998. He first gained recognition for his portrayal of Aaron Burr in the musical "Hamilton," earning him a 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album that same year. His reprising role in the Disney+ live stage recording of "Hamilton" led to a Primetime Emmy Award nomination.

Building on his Broadway success, Odom has also made his mark in television and film. He is known for his roles in the television series "Smash" and "Person of Interest," as well as "CSI: Miami," "Gilmore Girls," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit." His film credits include "Murder on the Orient Express," "Harriet," and diverse roles in "The Many Saints of Newark," "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery," and "The Exorcist: Believer." Odom also voiced the character of Owen Tillerman in the Apple TV+ animated musical-comedy series "Central Park," earning him an additional Emmy Award nomination in 2020.

His role as singer Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami... has been critically acclaimed, earning the Odom Academy Award, BAFTA Award, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics' Choice Movie Award, and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor. He also received an Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for writing the film’s original song "Speak Now," which won Best Song at the 2021 Critics' Choice Awards. In addition to his acting career, Odom has released five albums and authored the autobiography "Failing Up."

In recent years, Odom returned to the Broadway stage, playing the title role in "Purlie Victorious" in 2023 and earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play. He was conferred an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts by his alma mater, Carnegie Mellon University, at its 122nd Commencement in 2019, where he also delivered the keynote speech.