Jamael Westman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jamael Westman
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| Born |
Jamael Anwar Hermitt
1991 (age 33–34) Lambeth, London, England
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| Alma mater | RADA (BA) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2013–present |
Jamael Anwar Hermitt-Westman (born December 1991) is a talented British actor. He is most famous for playing the main character in the West End musical Hamilton. This amazing role even earned him a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award, which is a very important award in theatre!
Contents
Early Life and School
Jamael Westman was born in Lambeth, London. His dad, Wallace Hermitt, was a football coach, and his mom, Susan Westman, was a lecturer. He spent his first ten years in Brixton. Later, his family moved to Streatham and then Croydon. His younger brother, Myles, is also an actor.
His parents separated when Jamael was a teenager. His grandparents on his dad's side came to England from Jamaica. His mom's family, from Gloucestershire, has Irish roots. Jamael went to St Joseph's College. He then studied acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and graduated in 2016.
Acting Career
Theatre Roles
Jamael started his acting journey in pantomimes and local theatre shows. Before Hamilton, he acted in two professional plays. These were The White Devil at Shakespeare's Globe and Torn at the Royal Court.
In 2017, it was announced that Jamael would play the lead in Hamilton. This was for the West End production at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London. He has played this role both in London and on tour. He was supposed to perform in Los Angeles in 2020. However, the show was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally opened in Los Angeles in August 2021.
Television and Film Roles
Jamael first appeared on screen in 2013. He had a guest role in an episode of the TV show Casualty. He also acted in the films Brand New-U (2015) and Animals (2019).
He has been in several short films too. These include Kebab (2014) and Ice Cream & Doughnuts (2021). In 2021, he was in the Channel 5 miniseries Anne Boleyn. He played Jane Seymour's brother, Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset. Next, he played Dr George Spencer in The Essex Serpent. This drama series is on Apple TV+.
Activism and Important Causes
Jamael Westman has spoken out about important issues like racism. In 2019, he said that Britain needed to face its past. In 2020, he joined other theatre stars. They signed a letter asking for big changes. They wanted to fix racism and lack of diversity in the acting world.
In 2023, during the 2023 Israel–Hamas war, Jamael signed a letter. Over two thousand artists signed it. They asked for a ceasefire. They also said that some governments were not stopping war crimes.
Filmography
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Brand New-U | Kemal | |
| 2019 | Animals | Leo | |
| 2021 | Ice Cream & Doughnuts | Robbie | Short film |
| 2023 | Good Grief | Terrance | |
| TBA | Hedda | TBA | Post-production |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Casualty | Dex Woods | Episode: "Human Resources" |
| 2020 | On the Edge | Michael | Miniseries; Episode: "BBW" |
| 2021 | Anne Boleyn | Edward Seymour | Episode #1.1 |
| 2022 | The Essex Serpent | Dr. George Spencer | 5 episodes |
Stage Performances
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Torn | Brotha | Royal Court Theatre, London |
| 2017 | The White Devil | Marcello | Globe Theatre, London |
| 2017–2022 | Hamilton | Alexander Hamilton | Victoria Palace Theatre, London; Hollywood Pantages Theatre, Los Angeles (Eliza Tour) |
| 2022 | Patriots | Alexander Litvinenko | Almeida Theatre |
Awards and Nominations
Jamael Westman has received recognition for his acting. He was nominated for Best Actor at the Laurence Olivier Awards in 2018. This was for his amazing performance in Hamilton.
In the same year, he was also nominated for the Emerging Talent Award. This award is part of the Evening Standard Theatre Awards, which are the oldest theatre awards in the UK. He won this award! In 2018, he was also chosen as a Screen International Stars of Tomorrow pick.
