James Monroe Iglehart facts for kids

Quick facts for kids James Monroe Iglehart
Iglehart holding his Tony Award to announce the 74th Tony Awards nominations in 2020
Born	(1974-09-04) September 4, 1974 (age 49) Hayward, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2003–present
Known for	Aladdin, Hamilton, Spamalot
Spouse(s)	Dawn Phelps ​ (m. 2002)​

James Monroe Iglehart (born September 4, 1974) is an American stage, film, television and voice actor. He is perhaps best known for his Tony Award-winning performance as the Genie in the original Broadway production of Aladdin. Iglehart assumed the role of Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway company of Hamilton in April 2017. He originated the role of King Arthur in the 2023 Broadway revival of Spamalot. He can be heard as super producer Steve Jones in As The Curtain Rises, Broadway's first original podcast soap opera.

Early life

Iglehart was born in Hayward, California on September 4, 1974.

Career

Iglehart attended Cal State Hayward and started his career in California, performing in Bat Boy at TheatreWorks in Palo Alto and as Teen Angel in Grease at the American Musical Theatre in San Jose.

In 2005, he directed Bat Boy: The Musical at Ray of Light Theatre. He has played Mitch Mahoney in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee on Broadway as a replacement starting in April 2007. He originated the role of Bobby in Memphis on Broadway in October 2009.

Iglehart performed the role of the Genie in Aladdin on Broadway, a performance for which he won the 2014 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for this role. When asked about the role, he said, "It's not as exhausting as you think. I'm kind of an energetic guy in general, so basically I'm kind of being me with the volume turned up." Iglehart departed the company of Aladdin in February 2017 to begin rehearsals in the role of Marquis de Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson in the Broadway company of Hamilton. He also performed in Freestyle Love Supreme on Broadway.

Iglehart guest starred in four episodes of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt as Coriolanus Burt, the rival of male protagonist Titus Andromedon.

Iglehart voices Vortex and Asmodeus in Helluva Boss, Lance Strongbow in Tangled: The Series, Captain James Hook in Cheshire Crossing by Andy Weir, Bronzino in Elena of Avalor, Oscar in Vampirina and Taurus Bulba in DuckTales.

In January 2022, Iglehart took over the role of Billy Flynn in Chicago. In October 2023, Iglehart assumed the title role of A Wonderful World, A New Musical About the Life and Loves of Louis Armstrong in its pre-Broadway New Orleans and Chicago engagements echoing Armstrong’s musical journey.

Personal life

He was raised in Hayward, California, with his brother. His mother is a former high school choir teacher. His father James Iglehart is a former minor league baseball player and actor. He met his wife Dawn in the Mt. Eden High School show choir and they married in 2002.

Filmography

Film

Television

Video games

Stage credits

Awards and nominations