Chris Jackson Biography

Fast Facts

• Started singing in church while growing up in southern Illinois
• Made his Broadway debut as Simba in The Lion King in 1997
• In 2008, originated the role of Benny in the Broadway production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights
• Worked as a composer for Sesame Street for more than 15 years, during which time he won a 2011 Daytime Emmy award for co-writing the song "What I Am" performed by Will
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• Released his first solo album, In the Name of Love, in 2011
• Starred in three Broadway shows over the course of six months, including Bronx Bombers, After Midnight and Holler If Ya Hear Me in 2014
• Originated the role of George Washington in the widely-acclaimed Broadway production of Hamilton in 2015
• Wrote songs for LL Cool J, Ne-Yo, Mario and Sean Kingston
• Has been an avid supporter of Autism Speaks since his son was diagnosed with autism