Safekipedia
1973 births20th-century American male actors20th-century American male singers20th-century American singers

Christian Borle

Adapted from Wikipedia Β· Discoverer experience

Actor Christian Borle at the Animate! Columbus event in 2025.

Christian Dominique Borle, born October 1, 1973, is an American actor and singer known for his exciting work on Broadway and in television. He has won two Tony Awards for his performances as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!. Christian has also originated many memorable roles, such as Prince Herbert in Spamalot, Emmett in Legally Blonde, and Joe in Some Like It Hot, earning Tony nominations for the last two.

In addition to his Tony Awards, Christian was nominated for five more and won a Grammy Award in 2024 for Best Musical Theater Album for the original cast recording of Some Like It Hot. His first leading role on Broadway was Jimmy Smith in Thoroughly Modern Millie. He later performed as Bert in Mary Poppins and Willy Wonka in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Christian also appeared in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors, playing Orin Scrivello. He starred as Tom Levitt in the NBC series Smash. He also voiced the character Vox in the adult animated black comedy musical series Hazbin Hotel.

Early life

Christian Borle was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His parents encouraged his love for Star Wars and drawing, and he dreamed of becoming a comic book artist. However, a friend convinced him to try out for a school play at Shady Side Academy, which sparked his passion for acting.

He later studied at the School of Drama at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating in 1995. After moving to New York City, Borle got his first acting job working as an elf at Macy's Santaland.

Career

Christian Dominique Borle began his career in New York City, appearing in shows like The Who's Tommy and the national tour of West Side Story. He made his Broadway debut in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2000 and later joined the Broadway production of Footloose.

Borle became well-known for his roles in several Broadway musicals. He performed in Spamalot, Legally Blonde, and Mary Poppins. He won Tony Awards for his performances as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!. Borle has also appeared in films and television, including The Bounty Hunter and the NBC series Smash.

Personal life

Christian Borle met actress Sutton Foster in college, and they married on September 18, 2006. Although they divorced in 2009, they stayed friends and continued to support each other’s work. In 2018, Borle started dating Skye Mattox, a Broadway dancer and choreographer and granddaughter of the dancer and choreographer Matt Mattox. Borle and Mattox got married in 2024.

Theatre credits

Christian Borle is an American actor and singer known for his work in theater. He has won two Tony Awards, which are like Oscars for theater, for his roles as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!. He also created other roles such as Prince Herbert in various productions. His performances have been celebrated for their creativity and humor.

Year(s)ProductionLocationRole
1995The Who's TommyOffenbach, GermanyPinball Lad 1
1996–1997West Side StoryNational TourRiff
1998–2000FootlooseNational TourWillard Hewitt
2000Jesus Christ SuperstarFord Center for the Performing Arts
Broadway
Disciple
FootlooseRichard Rodgers Theatre
Broadway
Willard Hewitt
2001The Baby and Johnny ProjectNew York Theatre Workshop
Off-Broadway
Billy Kostecki
Just SoNorth Shore Music Theatre
Regional
Kangaroo / Cooking Stove / Bushbuck
The 3 Musketeers, One Musical For AllAmerican Musical Theatre of San Jose
Regional
Planchet
2002ProdigalYork Theatre
Off-Broadway
Kane Flannery / Zach Marshall
AmourMusic Box Theatre
Broadway
Dance Captain, Advocate (Understudy) / Bertrand (Understudy) / Dusoleil (Understudy) / Newsvendor (Understudy) / Painter (Understudy)
2003Elegies: A Song CycleMitzi E. Newhouse Theater
Off-Broadway
Original Performer
2003–2004Thoroughly Modern MillieMarquis Theatre
Broadway
Jimmy Smith
2004Snoopy! The MusicalNew York City Center
Concert
Snoopy
Time After TimeNew York City Center
Reading
H. G. Wells
2004–2005SpamalotShubert Theatre
Regional
Historian / Not Dead Fred / French Guard / Minstrel / Prince Herbert
2005–2006Shubert Theatre
Broadway
2005The Flamingo KidWorkshopPerformer
2007Legally BlondeGolden Gate Theatre
Regional
Emmett Forrest
2007–2008Palace Theatre
Broadway
2008On the TownEncores!
New York City Center
Ozzie
2009Peter and the StarcatcherLa Jolla Playhouse
Regional
Black Stache, et al.
2009–2010Mary PoppinsNew Amsterdam Theatre
Broadway
Bert
2010–2011Angels in AmericaSignature Theatre Company
Off-Broadway
Prior Walter, et al.
2011Peter and the StarcatcherNew York Theatre Workshop
Off-Broadway
Black Stache, et al.
2012Brooks Atkinson Theatre
Broadway
2014Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetLincoln CenterAdolfo Pirelli
Little MeNew York City CenterVarious Characters
2015–2016Something Rotten!St. James Theatre
Broadway
The Bard / William Shakespeare
2015A New BrainEncores!
New York City Center
Mr. Bungee
2016–2017FalsettosWalter Kerr Theatre
Broadway
Marvin
2017–2018Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryLunt-Fontanne Theatre
Broadway
Willy Wonka
2017Popcorn FallsRiverbank Theatre
Regional
Director & Dramaturg
2018Me and My GirlEncores!
New York City Center
Bill Snibson
2019The Who's TommyJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsCaptain Walker
2019–2022Little Shop of HorrorsWestside Theatre
Off-Broadway
Orin Scrivello & Others
2022–2023Some Like It HotShubert Theatre
Broadway
Joe / Josephine
2024Bye Bye BirdieJohn F. Kennedy Center for the Performing ArtsAlbert Peterson
Tammy FayePalace Theatre
Broadway
Jim Bakker

Filmography

Christian Borle has appeared in many films and television shows. In films, he has acted in productions that bring stories to life on the big screen. On television, he has been part of various popular shows, sharing his talent with viewers around the world. His work spans a range of characters and genres, showcasing his versatility as an actor.

YearShowRole
1995StonewallBar Patron
2001The AccidentDelivery Guy
2010The Bounty HunterCaddy
2014ShutterfliesLieutenant Burns
DinnerFather
2015BlackhatJeff Robichaud
YearShowRole
1998Ghost StoriesTrevor Mooney
2001Law & OrderTanto
2007Legally Blonde: The MusicalEmmett Forrest
2008Johnny and the SpritesBridge Troll
2012–13SmashTom Levitt
2013The Sound of Music Live!Max Detweiler
Funny or Die's Billy on the StreetHimself
2013–15The Good WifeCarter Schmidt
2014LifesaverDr. Graham Permenter
Lucky DuckLucky (voice)
Masters of SexFrank Masters
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street: Live from Lincoln CenterAdolfo Pirelli
Sofia the FirstSlickwell (voice)
Peter Pan Live!Smee/George Darling
2016Gilmore Girls: A Year in the LifeCarl
2017Falsettos: Live from Lincoln CenterMarvin
The Late Show with Stephen ColbertHimself
2018VampirinaRusty Topsail (voice)
YoungerDon Ridley
Rapunzel's Tangled AdventureFather Francis (voice)
ElementaryDr. David Horowitz
2018–21The Good FightCarter Schmidt
2019Project Runway All StarsHimself – Willy Wonka
Until the WeddingMiles
2020HelpstersMail Carrier Marty
2021Prodigal SonFriar Pete
Run the WorldBrett
2024EvilNell
ElsbethCarter Schmidt
2024–presentHazbin HotelVox (voice)

Discography

Christian Borle has appeared in many cast albums, soundtracks, and singles. Some of his cast albums include Prodigal from 2003, Spamalot from 2005, and Something Rotten! from 2015. He also contributed to soundtracks like Hazbin Hotel (Original Soundtrack) in 2024. His singles include songs from the TV show Smash and a track called "Hazbin Guarantee (Trust Us)" from Hazbin Hotel in 2025.

Awards and nominations

Christian Borle has won many awards for his acting. He is a two-time Tony Award winner, earning the award for his roles as Black Stache in Peter and the Starcatcher and as William Shakespeare in Something Rotten!. He also originated several other roles, including Prince Herbert and more. His work has been recognised and celebrated in the world of theatre.

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2005Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalSpamalotNominated
Clarence Derwent AwardMost Promising MaleWon
Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsFavorite Featured Actor in a Broadway MusicalWon
Favorite Breakthrough Performance (Male)Nominated
Favorite Onstage Pair (shared with Hank Azaria)Nominated
2007Tony AwardBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalLegally BlondeNominated
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalNominated
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
2010Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsBest ReplacementMary PoppinsNominated
2011Tina AwardBest Actor (Play)Peter and the StarcatcherNominated
Angels in AmericaNominated
Best Ensemble (Play)Won
Best Stage Duo (shared with Zachary Quinto)Won
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
2012Tony AwardBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a PlayPeter and the StarcatcherWon
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a PlayNominated
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
Lucille Lortel AwardsOutstanding Lead ActorWon
Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsFavorite Funny PerformanceWon
2015Tony AwardBest Performance by a Featured Actor in a MusicalSomething Rotten!Won
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalWon
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardBest Actor in a MusicalNominated
Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsFavorite Featured Actor in a MusicalWon
2016Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater AlbumNominated
2017Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalFalsettosNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Actor in a MusicalNominated
Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsFavorite Leading Actor in a MusicalNominated
Favorite Onstage Pair (shared with Andrew Rannells)Nominated
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryNominated
Broadway.com Audience Choice AwardsFavorite Funny PerformanceNominated
2020Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalLittle Shop of HorrorsWon
Drama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceNominated
Outer Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalHonoree
Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalWon
2023Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalSome Like It HotNominated
2024Grammy AwardsBest Musical Theater AlbumWon

This article is a child-friendly adaptation of the Wikipedia article on Christian Borle, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Images from Wikimedia Commons. Tap any image to view credits and license.