Robin de Jesús explained

Robin de Jesús
Birth Place:Norwalk, Connecticut, U.S.
Occupation:Actor
Years Active:2003–present

Robin de Jesús is an American film and theater actor of Puerto Rican descent. He has received Tony Award nominations for his roles in In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles, and The Boys in the Band. He's also known for portraying Michael in tick, tick... BOOM!.

Life and career

Robin de Jesús was born in Norwalk, Connecticut.[1]

His first major role was as Michael in the independent film Camp (2003), where he plays a gay teen who gets beat up for wearing drag to his prom. While the film (which also starred Anna Kendrick) went relatively unnoticed in the mainstream, it gained a cult following among musical theater fans and teens who connected to the outcast theme.[2]

He is perhaps best known for playing the role of Sonny in the 2008 Broadway musical In the Heights,[3] for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. In 2010, he joined the revival cast of La Cage aux Folles as Jacob, the sassy housekeeper, which earned him his second Tony Award nomination in the Featured Actor category.[4] [5] The production opened at the Longacre Theatre on April 18, 2010. De Jesús left the production on February 13, 2011, replaced by Wilson Jermaine Heredia.[6] De Jesús played the role of Boq in the Broadway production of Wicked[7] at the Gershwin Theatre. In 2019, he received a third Tony Award nomination, for Best Featured Actor in a Play, for his role of Emory in The Boys in the Band.[8] He recreated the role for the 2020 film adaptation produced for Netflix.

In 2021, Jesús played Michael in the musical drama tick, tick... BOOM!, the directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda, for which he received critical acclaim and a nomination for the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.[9]

Personal life

Robin is gay.[10]

Credits

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003CampMichael Flores
2006Fat GirlsRudy
2011Gun Hill RoadRobin
2012Elliot LovesHector
2013Hair BrainedRomeo Torres
Bert and Arnie's Guide to FriendshipStudent
2016Rubio
2020MilkwaterGeorge
The Boys in the BandEmory
2021tick, tick... BOOM!Michael

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010How to Make It in AmericaStreet teenagerEpisode: "Crisp"
2012–2016Jose Silva5 episodes
2022Santiago of the SeasPepitoEpisode: "A Tale of Two-mas"
Would I Lie to You?HimselfEpisode: "Boy in a Barrel"
2022–2023Welcome to ChippendalesRay Colon[11] 6 episodes
2023Big Mouth"Esperando Pelitos" performer (voice)Episode: "The International Show"
Black RabbitTonyUpcoming miniseries

Theater

YearTitleRoleDetailsNotes
2005RentSteve/Waiter
Angel (u/s)
Nederlander Theater
In the HeightsSonnyEugene O'Neill Theater Center
2007Off-Broadway
2008–2010Broadway
February 14, 2008 – February 14, 2010
2010–2011La Cage aux FollesJacobBroadway revival; April 6, 2010 – February 14, 2011
2012AladdinAladdinThe Muny
2013DomesticatedBar PatronLincoln Center Theater
2014Mother Jones and the Children's Crusade[12] [13] Jack DorseyNew York Musical Theatre Festival
2014–2016WickedBoqBroadway; December 16, 2014 – January 31, 2016
2017–2018"Munchkinland" national tour; May 2, 2017 – March 12, 2018
2018The Boys in the BandEmoryBroadway revival
2023Little Shop of HorrorsSeymour KrelbornThe Muny

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2007Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Ensemble PerformanceIn the Heights
2008Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a Musical
2010Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a MusicalLa Cage aux Folles
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Musical
2019Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a PlayThe Boys in the Band
2021Satellite AwardBest Supporting Actor – Motion Picturetick, tick... BOOM!
Hollywood Critics Association Film AwardBest Supporting Actor[14]
Greater Western New York Film Critics Association AwardBest Supporting Actor[15]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Q&A: Robin De Jesús . November 11, 2015 . The Ensemblist . March 2, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170303045335/http://www.theensemblist.com/guests/2015/11/11/qa-robin-de-jesus . March 3, 2017.
  2. Web site: Peitzman. Louis. The Movie That Taught A Generation Of Misfits To Let Their Freak Flags Fly. Buzzfeed. October 28, 2015. January 6, 2018.
  3. Isherwood, Charles. "From the Corner Bodega, the Music of Everyday Life", The New York Times, February 9, 2007.
  4. Web site: Jones . Kenneth . Shively, Cox, Andreas, Hoch, De Jesús, Shaddow and Cunningham Join La Cage aux Folles . Playbill . December 3, 2021 . February 3, 2010.
  5. Propst, Andy. "PS Classics to Release New Broadway Cast Recording of La Cage Aux Folles" theatremania.com, July 27, 2010.
  6. http://www.broadway.com/shows/la-cage-aux-folles/buzz/154819/tony-winner-wilson-jermaine-heredia-set-for-la-cage-aux-folles/ "Tony Winner Wilson Jermaine Heredia Set for La Cage aux Folles"
  7. Web site: Seven Questions with Wicked's Robin de Jesus About #TheStruggleIsReal & Bringing Sexy Boq . April 22, 2015 . Broadway Box . March 2, 2017.
  8. Web site: Robin De Jesus Tony Awards Info. November 20, 2021. broadwayworld.com.
  9. Web site: 2021 Winners | International Press Academy.
  10. Web site: Robin De Jesús On Taking Over For Ben Rimalower In 'Patti' Issues' And Choosing Gay Roles Responsibly . October 4, 2013 . Wong . Curtis M. . . March 2, 2017.
  11. Web site: Cordero . Rosy . 'Immigrant': 'Tick, Tick, BOOM!' Star Robin de Jesús Boards Hulu Series . Deadline . March 2, 2022.
  12. Web site: New York Musical Festival :: 2014 Events. NYMF.org. January 6, 2018.
  13. Web site: Robin de Jesús On 'Mother Jones And The Children's Crusade' At The New York Musical Theatre Festival . July 21, 2014 . Wong . Curtis M. . . March 2, 2017.
  14. Web site: Dune, Coda, And Belfast Lead The 5th Annual HCA Film Awards Nominations. Hollywood Critics Association. December 2, 2021. December 3, 2021. en-US.
  15. Web site: Awards: Our 2021 Nominees. Greater WNY Film Critics Association. December 22, 2021. December 23, 2021. en-US.