Ben Platt

Benjamin Schiff Platt (born September 24, 1993) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter.

Platt, the son of film and theater producer Marc Platt, began his acting career in musical theater as a child and appeared in productions of The Sound of Music (2006) and The Book of Mormon (2012–2015), rising to prominence for originating the title role in Broadway coming-of-age musical Dear Evan Hansen (2015–2017).

His performance in the latter earned him multiple accolades, including the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical, the youngest solo recipient of the award at the time, in addition to a Daytime Emmy, and Grammy Award.

Platt reprised the role of Evan Hansen in the 2021 film adaptation of the musical, produced by his father.

He then played Leo Frank in the 2022 New York City Center Gala production of Parade, which transferred to Broadway in 2023 and earned him another nomination for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Platt attended Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles, graduating in 2011.

He then enrolled at Columbia University in New York but dropped out after seven weeks to fulfill his contract with The Book of Mormon.

During his time at Columbia, he was a member of the campus a cappella musical group Nonsequitur.

At 9 years old, Platt played Winthrop Paroo in The Music Man at the Hollywood Bowl alongside Kristin Chenoweth.

At 11, he appeared in a brief national tour of Caroline, or Change, by Jeanine Tesori and Tony Kushner.

At 17, he played Jean Valjean in Kidz Theater's production of Les Misérables. His other early roles include the role of Claude Bukowski in Columbia University's production of Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical.

He has also collaborated on a workshop of Alice by Heart, by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater, a new take on Alice in Wonderland.

In 2012, Platt was cast as Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Chicago production of The Book of Mormon.

The show premiered at the Bank of America Theatre on December 19, 2012, after a week of previews.

In 2012, Platt had a supporting role in the musical comedy Pitch Perfect, loosely based on the non-fiction book Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory.

Platt played the magic-loving Benji Applebaum, alongside an ensemble cast including Anna Kendrick, Skylar Astin, Rebel Wilson, Adam DeVine, Anna Camp, and Brittany Snow.

The film emerged as a major commercial success and received mostly positive reviews from critics.

He was subsequently nominated for a Teen Choice Award in the category Choice Movie: Male Scene Stealer for his work.

The production was well received and closed on October 6, 2013.

Critics lauded Platt's performance, calling him a "true revelation in this brand new Chicago production... He really leans into this part, throwing himself out there with the abandonment of youth".

Platt later reprised his role as Elder Cunningham on Broadway at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre from January 7, 2014, to January 6, 2015.

Platt became attached to Steven Levenson and Pasek and Paul's then Untitled P&P Project in 2014, participating in early read-throughs and workshops.

Platt's film credits include the Pitch Perfect film series, Ricki and the Flash (2015), Run This Town (2019), and Theater Camp (2023).

In 2015, Platt reprised his role as Benji Applebaum in the sequel, Pitch Perfect 2, followed by appearances in the films Ricki and the Flash and Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk.

By 2015, the musical, titled Dear Evan Hansen, had begun production in Washington, D.C. at the Arena Stage with Platt originating the title role.

The show premiered on July 9, 2015, and closed August 23, 2015.

The overwhelming positive reception toward the production and Platt's performance resulted in the show being transferred to Off-Broadway.

In 2016, Platt once again originated the role of Evan Hansen at Second Stage Theatre.

Platt and the cast played a month of previews, beginning on March 26, 2016, before premiering on May 1, 2016.

The limited engagement sold out its entire run with Platt playing his last performance on May 26, 2016.

In 2017, Platt was included on the annual Time 100 list of the most influential people in the world.

Platt signed with Atlantic Records in 2017 and released his debut studio album Sing to Me Instead in March 2019.

Since 2019, he has starred in the Netflix comedy-drama series The Politician, for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

In May 2020, the concert film Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall debuted on Netflix.

Platt's second studio album Reverie was released on August 13, 2021.

Platt was born in Los Angeles, the fourth of five children of Julie and Marc Platt.

His father is a film, television, and theater producer whose credits include Legally Blonde, Into the Woods, La La Land, Mary Poppins Returns, and the musical Wicked.

He has two sisters and two brothers, including actor Jonah Platt.

He and his family are Jewish.

He attended the Adderley School for Performing Arts in Pacific Palisades, performing in productions like Bye Bye Birdie and Into the Woods.