Brandon Victor Dixon facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Brandon Victor Dixon
Dixon at the 73rd Tony Awards nominations announcement, 2019
Born	(1981-09-23) September 23, 1981 (age 43) Gaithersburg, Maryland, U.S.
Education	Columbia University (BA)
Occupation	Actor, singer, producer
Years active	2003–present
Known for	The Scottsboro Boys The Color Purple Hamilton Rent Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert

Brandon Victor Dixon (born September 23, 1981) is an American actor, singer, and theatrical producer. He is well-known for his amazing performances in Broadway musicals. He has been nominated for several Tony Awards and an Emmy Award. Some of his most famous roles include Harpo in The Color Purple, Aaron Burr in Hamilton, and Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert.

Early Life and Education

Brandon Victor Dixon was born in Gaithersburg, Maryland, on September 23, 1981. He went to the St. Albans School and later graduated from Columbia University in 2003. He also studied drama in England at the British American Drama Academy in 1999. Dixon has shared that the musical Ragtime was the very first Broadway show he ever saw.

Career Highlights

Theater Performances

Starting Out on Stage

In 2003, Brandon Victor Dixon began his theater career. He played Royal in a production called House of Flowers. Right after finishing college, he joined the national tour of The Lion King, playing the adult Simba.

The Color Purple

In 2005, Dixon created the role of Harpo in the original Broadway musical The Color Purple. His performance earned him a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Later, he also joined the show's touring company. Critics praised his "lithe and amusing" performance, calling it "superb comedic effect."

The Scottsboro Boys

In 2010, Dixon took on the role of Haywood Patterson in the musical The Scottsboro Boys Off-Broadway. For this role, he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. One reviewer noted his "charismatic performance" gave the show a strong center. In 2014, he played the same role in London's West End and was nominated for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actor in a Musical.

Other Broadway and Off-Broadway Roles

In 2011, Dixon played Tom Collins in an Off-Broadway revival of Rent. He then originated the role of Berry Gordy Jr., the founder of Motown Records, in the Broadway musical Motown: The Musical in 2013. This was his first main role on Broadway, and the show's album received a Grammy Award nomination.

In 2016, Dixon appeared as Eubie Blake in the musical Shuffle Along, or, the Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed on Broadway. He received another Tony Award nomination for this performance. He also played Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime at Ellis Island. From September to November 2022, he played Billy Flynn in the Broadway production of Chicago.

Hamilton

On August 23, 2016, Brandon Victor Dixon took over the important role of Aaron Burr in the Broadway production of Hamilton. He was chosen for the role after the original actor, Leslie Odom Jr., left the show. Dixon had previously worked with other Hamilton cast members in different shows and workshops. He played Burr until August 13, 2017. Reviewers praised his unique and powerful interpretation of the character.

In November 2016, after the 2016 United States presidential election, Republican Vice President-elect Mike Pence attended a performance of Hamilton. After the show, Brandon Victor Dixon spoke to him from the stage. He thanked Mr. Pence for coming and shared a message on behalf of the cast. The message expressed their hopes that the new government would protect all people, the environment, and everyone's rights. This statement was created by the cast, the show's writer Lin-Manuel Miranda, and producer Jeffrey Seller. Mr. Pence later said he was not offended by the message.

Producing Work

In 2013, Brandon Victor Dixon and choreographer Warren Adams started a company called WalkRunFly Productions. Their goal is to support new theater projects, especially for young artists. Through this company, Dixon helped produce two Broadway shows in 2014: Of Mice and Men and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Hedwig and the Angry Inch won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Revival of a Musical.

Television Roles

Besides his theater work, Dixon has also appeared on television. In 2017, he began a recurring role as attorney Terry Silver on the TV series Power. He became a regular cast member in the show's fifth season in 2018.

On April 1, 2018, Dixon played Judas Iscariot in the live televised concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar. His performance was highly praised by critics. One reviewer called him "powerful and charismatic" and said he was a standout in the production. Dixon received a Primetime Emmy nomination for this role.

Dixon has also appeared on TV shows like The Good Wife and in the 40th Annual Kennedy Center Honors. In 2019, he reprised his role as Tom Collins in Fox’s live televised production of Rent: Live.

Personal Life

Brandon Victor Dixon lives in New York City. In 2019, he gave a speech at Columbia College's Class Day event.

Awards and Nominations

†: Dixon served as a producer on these productions.

Images for kids

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  Dixon at the 2019 Tony Awards nominations announcement