Christian Borle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Christian Borle
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![]() Borle at the 2014 Montclair Film Festival
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Born |
Christian Dominique Borle
October 1, 1973 |
Education | Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1995–present |
Known for | Falsettos Something Rotten! Legally Blonde Smash Hazbin Hotel |
Spouse(s) |
Christian Dominique Borle (born October 1, 1973) is a talented American actor and singer. He is famous for his work in Broadway musicals and TV shows. Christian has won two Tony Awards, which are like the Oscars for theater. He won for his roles in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!.
He also created important roles in popular musicals like Prince Herbert in Spamalot and Emmett in Legally Blonde. He played Joe in Some Like It Hot, earning a Grammy Award for the cast album in 2024. Christian has also starred in TV shows like Smash and voiced characters in animated series such as Hazbin Hotel.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps
Christian Borle was born and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His dad was a professor at the University of Pittsburgh. When he was young, Christian loved Star Wars and drawing. He dreamed of becoming a comic book artist.
However, in high school, a friend convinced him to try out for a school play. This was at Shady Side Academy. That's when he started to love acting. He later studied at Carnegie Mellon University, a famous drama school. After graduating in 1995, he moved to New York City. His very first acting job there was playing an elf at Macy's Santaland!
Journey to Broadway
After moving to New York, Christian quickly found more acting jobs. He performed in a German production of The Who's Tommy. Then, he joined a national tour of West Side Story in 1996. He played the role of Riff.
He also toured with Footloose as Willard Hewitt. Christian made his first appearance on Broadway in 2000. He was part of the show Jesus Christ Superstar. Soon after, he joined the Broadway cast of Footloose.
In 2003, Christian appeared in a TV ad for eBay. He played a store clerk who sang about products. Later that year, he took over the lead role of Jimmy in Thoroughly Modern Millie. He even married his co-star, Sutton Foster, in 2006. Their marriage ended in 2009, but they remained good friends.
Big Roles and Awards
From 2005 to 2006, Christian starred in Monty Python's Spamalot. He played several funny characters, including Prince Herbert. This role earned him a nomination for a Drama Desk Award. He also won a Broadway.com Audience Award.
He then created the role of Emmett Forrest in Legally Blonde on Broadway. This musical was based on the popular movie. For this role, he was nominated for his first Tony Award. In 2009, he joined the cast of Mary Poppins on Broadway. He played Bert, the chimney sweep.
Christian also played "Black Stache" in Peter and the Starcatcher. He performed in both the Off-Broadway and Broadway versions. His performance on Broadway won him his first Tony Award in 2012. This was for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
In 2015, Christian won his second Tony Award. This time it was for his role as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!. He also played Marvin in the Broadway revival of Falsettos in 2016. This role earned him another Tony nomination.
From 2017 to 2018, Christian played the famous Willy Wonka. This was in the Broadway musical Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. He even directed a play called Popcorn Falls in 2017.
More recently, Christian starred as Orin Scrivello in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors. In 2022, he took on the role of Joe/Josephine in the new musical Some Like It Hot on Broadway. He won a Grammy Award for the cast recording of this show in 2024.
TV Shows and New Adventures
Christian has also had a successful career in television. In 2011, he joined the cast of the NBC musical-drama series Smash. He played Tom Levitt, a composer. The show was very popular and ran for two seasons.
He also appeared in live TV musical productions. He played Max Dettweiler in The Sound of Music Live! in 2013. In 2014, he played Mr. Darling and Mr. Smee in Peter Pan Live!. Christian also had guest roles in shows like The Good Wife and Elementary.
In 2016, he reunited with his former wife, Sutton Foster, on Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life. They both loved the show before they were asked to be in it. Christian also voices the character Vox in the animated series Hazbin Hotel, which started in 2024. In late 2024, he played Jim Bakker in the Broadway musical Tammy Faye.
Life Off Stage
Christian Borle met actress Sutton Foster when they were in college. They got married on September 18, 2006. They later separated in 2009. Even after their marriage ended, Christian and Sutton remained good friends. They continue to support each other's work and have even appeared in shows together.
Theatre Performances
Year(s) | Production | Location | Role | Notes |
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1995 | The Who's Tommy | Offenbach, Germany | Pinball Lad 1 | Replacement |
1996–1997 | West Side Story | National Tour | Riff | |
1998–2000 | Footloose | National Tour | Willard Hewitt | |
2000 | Jesus Christ Superstar | Ford Center for the Performing Arts Broadway |
Disciple | Original Broadway Revival Cast |
Footloose | Richard Rodgers Theatre Broadway |
Willard Hewitt | Replacement | |
2001 | The Baby and Johnny Project | New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway |
Billy Kostecki | |
Just So | North Shore Music Theatre Regional |
Kangaroo / Cooking Stove / Bushbuck | ||
The 3 Musketeers, One Musical For All | American Musical Theatre of San Jose Regional |
Planchet | Original American Cast | |
2002 | Prodigal | York Theatre Off-Broadway |
Kane Flannery / Zach Marshall | Original Cast |
Amour | Music Box Theatre Broadway |
Dance Captain, Advocate (Understudy) / Bertrand (Understudy) / Dusoleil (Understudy) / Newsvendor (Understudy) / Painter (Understudy) | Original Broadway Cast | |
2003 | Elegies: A Song Cycle | Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater Off-Broadway |
Original Performer | |
2003–2004 | Thoroughly Modern Millie | Marquis Theatre Broadway |
Jimmy Smith | Replacement |
2004 | Snoopy! The Musical | New York City Center Concert |
Snoopy | |
Time After Time | New York City Center Reading |
H. G. Wells | ||
2004–2005 | Spamalot | Shubert Theatre Regional |
Historian / Not Dead Fred / French Guard / Minstrel / Prince Herbert | |
2005–2006 | Shubert Theatre Broadway |
Original Broadway Cast | ||
2005 | The Flamingo Kid | Workshop | Performer | |
2007 | Legally Blonde | Golden Gate Theatre Regional |
Emmett Forrest | |
2007–2008 | Palace Theatre Broadway |
Original Broadway Cast | ||
2008 | On the Town | Encores! New York City Center |
Ozzie | |
2009 | Peter and the Starcatcher | La Jolla Playhouse Regional |
Black Stache, et al. | |
2009–2010 | Mary Poppins | New Amsterdam Theatre Broadway |
Bert | Replacement |
2010–2011 | Angels in America | Signature Theatre Company Off-Broadway |
Prior Walter, et al. | |
2011 | Peter and the Starcatcher | New York Theatre Workshop Off-Broadway |
Black Stache, et al. | |
2012 | Brooks Atkinson Theatre Broadway |
Original Broadway Cast | ||
2014 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Lincoln Center | Adolfo Pirelli | |
Little Me | New York City Center | Various Characters | ||
2015–2016 | Something Rotten! | St. James Theatre Broadway |
The Bard / William Shakespeare | Original Broadway Cast |
2015 | A New Brain | Encores! New York City Center |
Mr. Bungee | Cast Album Only |
2016–2017 | Falsettos | Walter Kerr Theatre Broadway |
Marvin | Original Broadway Revival Cast |
2017–2018 | Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre Broadway |
Willy Wonka | Original Broadway Cast |
2017 | Popcorn Falls | Riverbank Theatre Regional |
Director & Dramaturg | |
2018 | Me and My Girl | Encores! New York City Center |
Bill Snibson | |
2019 | The Who's Tommy | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | Captain Walker | |
2019–2022 | Little Shop of Horrors | Westside Theatre Off-Broadway |
Orin Scrivello & Others | Original Off-Broadway Revival Cast |
2022–2023 | Some Like It Hot | Shubert Theatre Broadway |
Joe / Josephine | Original Broadway Cast |
2024 | Bye Bye Birdie | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts | Albert Peterson | |
Tammy Faye | Palace Theatre Broadway |
Jim Bakker | Original Broadway Cast |
Film and TV Appearances
Film
Year | Show | Role | Notes |
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1995 | Stonewall | Bar Patron | Uncredited |
2001 | The Accident | Delivery Guy | Short (unreleased) |
2010 | The Bounty Hunter | Caddy | |
2014 | Shutterflies | Lieutenant Burns | Short |
Dinner | Father | Short | |
2015 | Blackhat | Jeff Robichaud |
Television
Year | Show | Role | Notes |
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1998 | Ghost Stories | Trevor Mooney | Episode: "Consumers" |
2001 | Law & Order | Tanto | Episode: "Swept Away" |
2007 | Legally Blonde: The Musical | Emmett Forrest | Filmed stage production |
2008 | Johnny and the Sprites | Bridge Troll | Episode: "The Bridge Troll" |
2012–13 | Smash | Tom Levitt | 32 episodes |
2013 | The Sound of Music Live! | Max Detweiler | TV movie |
Funny or Die's Billy on the Street | Himself | Episode: "It's Debra Messing, You Gays!" | |
2013–15 | The Good Wife | Carter Schmidt | 4 episodes |
2014 | Lifesaver | Dr. Graham Permenter | Pilot (unreleased) |
Lucky Duck | Lucky (voice) | TV movie | |
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Live from Lincoln Center | Adolfo Pirelli | Filmed stage production | |
Sofia the First | Slickwell (voice) | Episode: "Baileywhoops" | |
Peter Pan Live! | Smee/George Darling | TV movie | |
2016 | Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life | Carl | Episode: "Summer" |
2017 | Falsettos: Live from Lincoln Center | Marvin | Filmed stage production |
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert | Himself | Episode: "Jennifer Hudson; Chris Hayes; Christian Borle" | |
2018 | Vampirina | Rusty Topsail (voice) | Episode: "Treasure Haunters" |
Younger | Don Ridley | 2 episodes | |
Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Father Francis (voice) | Episode: "Freebird" | |
Elementary | Dr. David Horowitz | Episode: "The Visions of Norman P. Horowitz" | |
2018–21 | The Good Fight | Carter Schmidt | 3 episodes |
2019 | Project Runway All Stars | Himself – Willy Wonka | Episode: "Pure Imagination" (special thanks) |
Until the Wedding | Miles | Pilot (not released) | |
2020 | Helpsters | Mail Carrier Marty | Episode: "Primmflandia Day/Marching Band Marsha" |
2021 | Prodigal Son | Friar Pete | 6 episodes |
Run the World | Brett | Episode: "Because... ADOS" | |
2024 | Hazbin Hotel | Vox (voice) | Recurring role |
Evil | Nell | Episode: "Fear of the Unholy" | |
Elsbeth | Carter Schmidt | 2 episodes |
Music Albums
Cast albums
- Prodigal (Original York Theatre Cast)
- Elegies (Original Off-Broadway Cast)
- Spamalot (Original Broadway Cast)
- Legally Blonde: The Musical (Original Broadway Cast)
- The Sound of Music Live! (2013 TV Cast)
- Peter Pan Live! (2014 TV Cast)
- Something Rotten! (Original Broadway Cast)
- James and the Giant Peach (World Premiere Cast)
- A New Brain (2015 Encores! Cast)
- Falsettos (Original Broadway Revival Cast)
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Original Broadway Cast)
- Little Shop of Horrors (The New Off-Broadway Cast)
- Dreamland (Studio Cast)
- Some Like It Hot (Original Broadway Cast)
Singles
- "Don't Say Yes Until I've Finished Talking" (featured in Smash Season 1)
- "A Love Letter From the Times" (duet with Liza Minnelli, featured in Smash Season 2)
- "Vienna" (featured in Smash Season 2)
- "The Right Regrets" (duet with Debra Messing, featured in Smash Season 2)
- "Stayed Gone" (duet with Amir Talai, featured in Hazbin Hotel Season 1)
Awards and Recognitions
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
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2005 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Spamalot | Nominated |
Clarence Derwent Award | Most Promising Male | Won | ||
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Featured Actor in a Broadway Musical | Won | ||
Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male) | Nominated | |||
Favorite Onstage Pair (shared with Hank Azaria) | Nominated | |||
2007 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Legally Blonde | Nominated |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
2010 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Best Replacement | Mary Poppins | Nominated |
2011 | Tina Award | Best Actor (Play) | Peter and the Starcatcher | Nominated |
Angels in America | Nominated | |||
Best Ensemble (Play) | Won | |||
Best Stage Duo (shared with Zachary Quinto) | Won | |||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
2012 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play | Peter and the Starcatcher | Won |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play | Nominated | ||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor | Won | ||
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Funny Performance | Won | ||
2015 | Tony Award | Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical | Something Rotten! | Won |
Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Won | ||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
Outer Critics Circle Award | Best Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical | Won | ||
2016 | Grammy Award | Best Musical Theater Album | Nominated | |
2017 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Musical | Falsettos | Nominated |
Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Leading Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
Favorite Onstage Pair (shared with Andrew Rannells) | Nominated | |||
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory | Nominated | |||
Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Favorite Funny Performance | Nominated | ||
2020 | Drama Desk Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Little Shop of Horrors | Won |
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | ||
Outer Critics Circle Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Honoree | ||
Lucille Lortel Award | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Won | ||
2023 | Tony Award | Best Actor in a Musical | Some Like It Hot | Nominated |
2024 | Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Christian Borle para niños