James Monroe Iglehart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James Monroe Iglehart
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Iglehart holding his Tony Award to announce the 74th Tony Awards nominations in 2020
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| Born | September 4, 1974 Hayward, California, U.S.
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| Alma mater | Cal State Hayward (BA) |
| Occupation | Actor and singer |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Known for | Aladdin, Hamilton |
| Spouse(s) |
Dawn Phelps
(m. 2002) |
| Parent(s) | James Iglehart |
James Monroe Iglehart (born September 4, 1974) is an American actor and singer. He is famous for his powerful voice and exciting stage presence. He has starred in many popular Broadway shows. He even won a special award for his acting!
James is perhaps best known for playing the Genie in the original Broadway show of Aladdin. He won a Tony Award for this role. He also played two different characters, the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson, in the Broadway cast of Hamilton.
More recently, James played King Arthur in the Broadway show Spamalot. He also created the role of Louis Armstrong in a new musical called A Wonderful World. You might also know his voice from animated shows like Helluva Boss and Hazbin Hotel. He has even written for Marvel Comics, especially stories about Spider-Man.
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Early Life and Education
James Monroe Iglehart was born in Hayward, California, on September 4, 1974. He grew up there with his brother. His mother was a high school choir teacher. His father, James Iglehart, was a former baseball player and actor.
James went to Cal State Hayward. He earned a degree in theatre there. This helped him start his acting career.
Broadway and Stage Career
James began his acting journey in California. He performed in plays like Bat Boy and Grease. In 2005, he even directed a musical called Bat Boy: The Musical.
He made his Broadway debut in 2007. He played Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In 2009, he created the role of Bobby in the Broadway show Memphis.
Playing the Genie in Aladdin
James Iglehart became very well-known for his role as the Genie in Aladdin. He performed this role on Broadway starting in 2014. His amazing performance earned him a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical.
When asked about playing such an energetic character, James said it wasn't as tiring as it seemed. He explained that he's naturally an energetic person. So, playing the Genie was like being himself, but with the energy turned up! He left Aladdin in February 2017.
Roles in Hamilton and Other Shows
After Aladdin, James joined the cast of Hamilton on Broadway. He took on the roles of the Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson. He also performed in Freestyle Love Supreme, a show where performers make up songs and rhymes on the spot.
In January 2022, James played Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago. In May 2023, he starred as King Arthur in Spamalot at the Kennedy Center. This show later moved to Broadway, where he continued his role.
In October 2023, James took on the main role of Louis Armstrong in a new musical called A Wonderful World. This show is based on Armstrong's life. It started in New Orleans and Chicago. It was announced in February 2024 that the show will come to Broadway with James in the lead role. He will also help direct the show.
Voice Acting and Television
Besides stage work, James Iglehart has also appeared on TV and lent his voice to many animated characters.
He was a guest star in four episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. He played Coriolanus Burt, a rival to one of the main characters.
James is a talented voice actor. He voices characters like:
- Vortex and Asmodeus in Helluva Boss
- Lance Strongbow in Tangled: The Series
- Captain James Hook in Cheshire Crossing
- Bronzino in Elena of Avalor
- Oscar in Vampirina
- Taurus Bulba in DuckTales
- Mr. Puppypaws in SuperKitties
Personal Life
James met his wife, Dawn Phelps, in high school. They were both in the show choir at Mt. Eden High School. They got married in 2002.
Film and Television Appearances
James Monroe Iglehart has appeared in various films and television shows.
Film
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Memphis the Musical | Bobby | |
| We Are the Hartmans | Eustace | ||
| 2015 | Broadway Draft 2015 | Anchor | Short film |
| 2016 | Landed | TSA Agent | |
| Tom and Jerry: Back to Oz | Calvin Carney, Jitterbug | Voice, direct-to-video | |
| 2017 | Three Christs | Benny | |
| 2022 | Disenchanted | Weary Businessman | Cameo |
| 2023 | Wish | John the bear | Voice, uncredited |
Television
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Good Wife | Geo | Episode: "Doubt" |
| 2012 | Great Performances | Bobby | Episode: "Memphis" |
| Submissions Only | Wilson Jones | Episode: "Woof!" | |
| Smash | Assistant | Episode: "Hell on Earth" | |
| 2015 | Gotham | Ringmaster | Episode: "The Blind Fortune Teller" |
| 2015–2019 | Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt | Coriolanus Burt | 4 episodes |
| 2016–2018 | Nature Cat | Michael Bluejay | Voice, 4 episodes |
| 2017 | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | Shawn Tompkins | Episode: "Intent" |
| 2017–2020 | Rapunzel's Tangled Adventure | Lance Strongbow | Voice, 38 episodes |
| 2018 | Cady Did | Orrin Hackett | |
| Elementary | Detective Mason | Episode: "Pushing Buttons" | |
| Maniac | Carl | Miniseries, 8 episodes | |
| 2018–2019 | Our Cartoon President | End credits vocals, End credits vocalist, Gospel Singers | Voice, 12 episodes |
| 2019 | At Home with Amy Sedaris | Darius Von Hassock | Episode: "Makeover" |
| Anthem: Homunculus | Ronnie Castro | Episode: "The End of Love" | |
| Hazbin Hotel | Bar Patron | Voice, episode: "Pilot" | |
| 2020 | Perfect Harmony | Keith | Episode: "Regionals" |
| Elena of Avalor | Bronzino | Voice, 2 episodes | |
| The Disney Family Singalong | Himself | Television special | |
| Vampirina | Oscar | Voice, episode: "Bust Friends" | |
| DuckTales | Taurus Bulba | Voice, episode: "Let's Get Dangerous!" | |
| Biggest Little Christmas Showdown | Himself | Host | |
| 2021–present | Helluva Boss | Vortex, Asmodeus | Voice, 6 episodes |
| 2022 | The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Game Edition | Himself | Episode: "Isaiah Russell-Bailey & James Monroe Iglehart" |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | Charlie | 3 episodes | |
| Girls5eva | Nathan Reasel | Episode: "Album Mode" | |
| Santiago of the Seas | Martín | Voice, episode: "Fincernera" | |
| Alice's Wonderland Bakery | Oliver the Onion | Voice, episode: "A Special Blend" | |
| Bubble Guppies | Cyclops | Voice, episode: "Bubble Medics to the Rescue!" | |
| Blue's Clues & You! | Jack O' Lantern | Voice, episode: "The Legend of the Jack O' Lantern" | |
| 2023 | Alma's Way | James King | Voice, 3 episodes |
| 2023–present | SuperKitties | Mr. Puppypaws | Voice, recurring role |
| Kiff | Martin Chatterley | Voice, recurring role | |
| 2024 | Hazbin Hotel | Zestial | Voice, episode: "Scrambled Eggs" |
Video Games
| Year(s) | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Virtua Cop 3 | Chief Inspector | |
| Silent Line: Armored Core | Additional voices |
Stage Performances
Here are some of the stage productions James Monroe Iglehart has been a part of:
| Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Show Boat | Ensemble | - | US Tour | |
| 2002 | Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | Simeon | San Jose Center for the Performing Arts | Regional | |
| Big River | Jim | Willows Theatre Company | |||
| 2003 | Ragtime | Coalhouse Walker Jr. | Diablo Light Opera Company | ||
| A Little Night Music | Mr. Lindquist | TheatreWorksUSA | |||
| 2004 | Children of Eden | Father | Willows Theatre Company | ||
| Ragtime | Coalhouse Walker Jr. | Foothill Music Theatre | |||
| 2005 | Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street | Sweeney Todd | |||
| 2005-2006 | Into the Woods | The Wolf | TheatreWorksUSA | ||
| 2006 | The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | Mitch Mahoney | Wilbur Theatre | ||
| 2007–2008 | Circle in the Square Theatre | Broadway | |||
| 2009 | The Wiz | The Lion | New York City Center Encores! | Off-Broadway | |
| 2009–2011 | Memphis | Bobby | Shubert Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2011 | Aladdin | The Genie | 5th Avenue Theatre | Regional | |
| 2013–2014 | Ed Mirvish Theatre | ||||
| 2014–2017 | New Amsterdam Theatre | Broadway | |||
| 2017–2019 | Hamilton | Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson | Richard Rodgers Theatre | ||
| 2019 | Hercules | Phil | Delacorte Theater | Central Park | |
| 2019-2020 | Hamilton | Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2020 | The Nightmare Before Christmas in Concert | Oogie Boogie | - | Virtual concert | |
| 2021 | Hamilton | Marquis de Lafayette / Thomas Jefferson | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway | |
| 2022 | Chicago | Billy Flynn | Ambassador Theatre | ||
| Guys and Dolls | Nathan Detroit | Kennedy Center | Regional | ||
| 2023 | Hercules | Phil | Paper Mill Playhouse | ||
| Spamalot | King Arthur | Kennedy Center | |||
| A Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong | Saenger Theatre | |||
| Cadillac Palace Theatre | |||||
| Gutenberg! The Musical! | The Producer (One night only) |
James Earl Jones Theatre | Broadway | ||
| 2023-2024 | Spamalot | King Arthur | St. James Theatre | ||
| 2024 | A Wonderful World | Louis Armstrong | Studio 54 | Co-Director |
Awards and Recognitions
James Monroe Iglehart has received several awards for his amazing performances.
| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Tony Awards | Best Featured Actor in a Musical | Aladdin | Won |
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical | Won | ||
| Broadway.com Audience Choice Award | Favorite Featured Actor in a Musical | Nominated | ||
| Favorite Diva Performance | Nominated | |||
| Favorite Funny Performance | Nominated | |||
| 2015 | Grammy Awards | Best Musical Theater Album | Nominated | |
| 2023 | Children's and Family Emmy Awards | Outstanding Voice Performance in a Preschool Animated Program | SuperKitties | Nominated |
