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Leslie Odom Jr.American theater and film actor
Date of Birth: 06.08.1981
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Childhood and Early Life
- Broadway and Film Career
- Breakthrough with "Hamilton"
- Movies and Collaborations
- "One Night in Miami"
- Personal Life
- Recent Projects and Awards
Childhood and Early Life
Leslie Odom Jr. was born on August 6, 1981, in Queens, New York City. He attended Julia R. Masterman School and the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. As the son of a Baptist minister, Odom sang in the church choir and played along to a toy jukebox at home. He graduated from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh with honors in 2003.
Broadway and Film Career
Odom made his Broadway debut in 1998 in the musical "Rent," a loose adaptation of Giacomo Puccini's opera "La Bohème." After performing in regional theaters in California, he returned to New York in 2012 after the success of "Leap of Faith." He also made appearances in television series such as "CSI: Miami," "Supernatural," and "The Good Wife."
Breakthrough with "Hamilton"
Odom's major breakthrough came in 2015 with the Broadway musical "Hamilton," which opened on his birthday. He played the role of Aaron Burr, an American politician and lawyer. His performance won him a Grammy Award and a Tony Award in 2016. The musical was released as a film on Disney+ in 2020.
Movies and Collaborations
In 2017, Odom starred in Kenneth Branagh's film adaptation of Agatha Christie's "Murder on the Orient Express," alongside a star-studded cast including Penelope Cruz, Judi Dench, and Johnny Depp. In 2020, he released the song "Heaven & Earth" with singer Victoria Canal, featuring footage from his wife's pregnancy. He also released the Christmas album "The Christmas Album."
"One Night in Miami"
Odom played Sam Cooke in Regina King's 2020 film "One Night in Miami." The film also featured Muhammad Ali, Johnny Carson, and Jim Brown. Odom initially hesitated to accept the role but was convinced by his manager and agent. The film won the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Personal Life
Odom married Nicolette Robinson, a singer and actress, in 2012. They met in 2008 while she was a student at UCLA. They have two children, Lucille Ruby (born 2017) and Able Phineas (born 2021).
Recent Projects and Awards
In 2021, Odom received Golden Globe and Oscar nominations for Best Original Song and Best Supporting Actor for his performance in "One Night in Miami." He also released the single "Speak Now" from the film's soundtrack.
