Christopher Jackson (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Christopher Jackson
Jackson in 2019
Born	Christopher Neal Jackson (1975-09-30) September 30, 1975 (age 49) Metropolis, Illinois, U.S.
Other names	Chris Jackson
Alma mater	American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Occupation	Actor singer
Years active	1996–present
Known for	In the Heights Hamilton Bull
Spouse(s)	Veronica ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	2

Christopher Neal Jackson, born on September 30, 1975, is an American actor and singer. He began his acting journey in 1995 at age 20. He first appeared on Broadway in 1997 in Disney's The Lion King. He later took on the main role of Simba in that show.

Jackson became well-known for his roles in musicals created by Lin-Manuel Miranda. He played Benny in In the Heights and George Washington in the very popular musical Hamilton. For his role in Hamilton, he was nominated for a Tony Award. He also worked with Miranda on the Disney movie Moana, where he sang as Chief Tui.

From 2016 to 2022, Jackson starred as Chunk Palmer in the CBS TV show Bull. He has also appeared in other TV shows like Oz and The Good Wife. Besides acting, he writes music for TV and won a Daytime Emmy Award for a song called "What I Am" for Sesame Street.

Early Life and School Days

Christopher Jackson was born in Metropolis, Illinois, and grew up in Cairo, Illinois. His mother, Jane Adams, was a music teacher. His stepfather was Herbert Michael Hodges.

In 1993, he graduated from Cairo High School. While in high school, he performed in plays. His teacher, Lynn Steveson, encouraged him to become an actor. She also cast him in a play called The Crucible. Jackson also credits his basketball coach, Larry Baldwin, and Pastor Larry Potts as important mentors.

After high school, Jackson moved to New York City. He studied acting at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Christopher Jackson's Career Journey

Jackson started his career in 1995 in an Off-Broadway musical called Time and the Wind. In 1997, he made his Broadway debut in The Lion King. He was part of the ensemble and was an understudy for Simba. By 2000, he was playing Simba full-time.

He then worked in theater in Chicago and Minneapolis. He won a Joseph Jefferson Award in 2006 for his role in Comfortable Shoes. In 2007, he returned to New York for the musical In the Heights, playing Benny. The cast won an award for their great teamwork. He continued with In the Heights when it moved to Broadway in 2008.

Music and Television Work

In 2009, Jackson began writing music for the children's TV show The Electric Company. He returned to Broadway in 2012 in Memphis. In 2013, he joined After Midnight on Broadway. He also appeared in the play Bronx Bombers, which moved to Broadway in 2014.

In 2015, Jackson took on the role of President George Washington in Hamilton on Broadway. He was nominated for a Tony Award for this role. His last performance in Hamilton was on November 13, 2016.

From 2016 to 2022, he played Chester "Chunk" Palmer in the CBS drama Bull. Jackson has also been in movies like Moana and Tracers. He is also part of a hip-hop group called Freestyle Love Supreme. He has been nominated for three Emmy Awards for his music. He won an Emmy in 2011 for his song "What I Am" for Sesame Street.

In February 2021, Jackson signed a deal with Nickelodeon. He composed music for a series called Rhymes Through Times. This show features Nick's preschool characters telling stories about American heroes, especially focusing on Black history. The second season of the show was released on March 7, 2022. He is set to return to Broadway on June 3, 2025, in the musical Hell’s Kitchen.

Family Life

In 2004, Christopher Jackson married actress and singer Veronica. They met while working on a production of In the Heights.

Before the Off-Broadway production of In the Heights began, Jackson learned that his son had been diagnosed with autism. Jackson and his wife are strong supporters of KultureCity. This is a non-profit organization that works to make sure everyone is accepted and included, no matter their abilities. They have two children, a son named C. J. and a daughter named Jadelyn. The family lives in Scarsdale, New York.

Acting Roles

Theatre Performances

Film Roles

Television Roles

Music Albums

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Christopher Jackson (actor) para niños

• African-American Tony nominees and winners