Aug 16, 1987
Leo
Newark, NJ
37 years old
N/A
N/A
Stage Actor
Name & Age
Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan was born on August 16, 1987, in Newark, New Jersey. As of 2025, he is 37 years old .
Roots & Early Life
The son of Nigerian immigrant parents, Okieriete spent his formative years in West Orange, New Jersey, alongside his five sisters . He attended Gregory Elementary, Roosevelt Middle, and graduated from West Orange High School in 2005. A football injury ended his teenage athletic pursuits and sparked his interest in acting through the New Jersey Youth Theatre .
Training & Early Stage Work
After high school, he briefly studied at Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, then dove into theatre. His early stage résumé includes roles in Young Jean Lee’s The Shipment (2009) and Luce, plus ensemble work in the American Idiot national tour . His Broadway debut came in Cyrano de Bergerac (2012), followed by Rocky the Musical (2014), where he understudied Apollo Creed before stepping into the on-stage spotlight .
Breakthrough with Hamilton & Beyond
In 2015, Okieriete took Broadway by storm, originating both Hercules Mulligan and James Madison in Hamilton, making him the show’s longest-tenured cast member and earning a Grammy Award as part of the cast album . In 2017, he replaced Josh Groban as Pierre Bezukhov in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812, and his final performance ran through August of that year .
Television & Film Highlights
Station 19 (2018–2021): Starred as Dean Miller, crossing over with Grey’s Anatomy until his character’s departure in late 2021; he even made a guest return in 2024 .
Featured roles in A Quiet Place Part II (2020), The Super, Person to Person, Thanks for Sharing, and the live Hamilton film .
On-screen, he appeared in series like Gravity, Blue Bloods, Ballers, Girls, The Get Down, Jack Ryan (2023), and recently returned for Law & Order in 2024 .
Return to Stage & Recent Work
Okieriete returned to Broadway in 2023 as Nils Krogstead in A Doll’s House, and in early 2024 played Buddy Bolden in Jelly’s Last Jam at Encores .
Awards & Recognition
Grammy Award: Best Musical Theater Album for Hamilton (2016) .
Named to Forbes 30 Under 30 – Hollywood & Entertainment in 2016 for his standout role in Hamilton .
Personal & Cultural Influence
His experience growing up in a Nigerian-American household informs his work ethic and artistic choices, bringing depth and emotional resonance to his roles .
Okieriete Onaodowan’s journey—from a small theatre enthusiast in New Jersey to a Grammy‑winning Broadway star and versatile screen actor—showcases his talent, resilience, and dedication. He continues to captivate audiences on stage and screen while celebrating his cultural background.
