Leslie Odom Jr

Leslie Odom Jr. (born August 6, 1981) is an American actor and singer. He's best known for playing Aaron Burr in the Broadway musical Hamilton, a role that won him the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. Though he was born in New York, Odom grew up in Philadelphia and calls it his true home.

Early Life in Philadelphia

At age two, Odom moved to Philadelphia. He spent his childhood in East Oak Lane, a Northeast Philadelphia neighborhood. His education came through Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA), where he trained alongside future industry professionals.

That's where everything started. At seventeen, while still a CAPA student, Odom made his Broadway debut in Rent. He went on to Carnegie Mellon University after that, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama.

Career

Hamilton

Hamilton changed everything. When Odom originated the role of Aaron Burr in 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda's hip-hop musical about Alexander Hamilton was already generating buzz. But Odom's portrayal of the complex historical figure, the man who eventually killed Hamilton in a duel, made the character unforgettable. Critics and audiences alike couldn't stop talking about him.

The recognition came quickly:

• Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (2016)
• Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album (2016)

"Wait for It" became one of the show's most iconic songs. You can't talk about Hamilton without mentioning that number.

Film Career

Odom didn't just rest on Broadway success. His film work has been equally impressive, spanning several genres and types of projects. In 2017, he appeared in Murder on the Orient Express. Then came Harriet in 2019, where he played William Still, Philadelphia's famous abolitionist. His performance in One Night in Miami (2020) earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. More recently, he appeared in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery (2022) and The Exorcist: Believer (2023).

Music

Acting isn't his only passion. Odom has released several jazz-influenced albums over the years:

• Leslie Odom Jr. (2014)
• Simply Christmas (2016)
• Mr (2019)
• The Christmas Album (2020)

His work on One Night in Miami went further still. The song "Speak Now" from that project got nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Philadelphia Connection

Odom talks often about how Philadelphia shaped his career. He credits both his upbringing there and his education at CAPA for giving him the tools to succeed. He's returned to the city many times, speaking about why arts education matters in public schools.

Playing William Still in Harriet held special meaning. Still was a Philadelphia-based abolitionist who helped hundreds of enslaved people reach freedom. For Odom, connecting with that history and that character felt personal in ways other roles hadn't.

Personal Life

He's married to actress Nicolette Robinson. The couple has two children and currently lives in Los Angeles.

See Also

• Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts
• William Still
• Northeast Philadelphia