Okieriete Onaodowan | |
---|---|
Born | 16 August 1987 |
Other names | Oak |
Occupation | Actor, Singer |
Years active | 2010–present |
Known for | Hamilton |
Okieriete "Oak" Onaodowan (/ɑːkɛrjɛteɪ/, born August 16, 1987) is a Nigerian-American actor, known for originating the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in the 2015 musical Hamilton.
Onaodowan grew up in West Orange, New Jersey and graduated from West Orange High School in 2005. Onaodowan briefly played football at West Orange High School but stopped after an injury during practice. As a result of the injury, Okieriete started to explore acting as an alternative extra curricular.
Onaodowan previously had roles in Rocky the Musical and Cyrano de Bergerac on Broadway and was in the ensemble of the first national tour of American Idiot. His screen credits include Lou in Thanks for Sharing, and roles in Gravity and Blue Bloods.
An experienced stage actor, Onaodowan had the leading role in Young Jean Lee's 2009 play, The Shipment, and played the title role in J.C. Lee's, Luce.
In 2015 Onaodowan originated the roles of James Madison and Hercules Mulligan in the musical Hamilton on Broadway. He won a Grammy Award as part of the cast album of Hamilton.