Robin de Jesús is an American film and theater actor of Puerto Rican descent. He has received Tony Award nominations for his roles in In the Heights, La Cage aux Folles, and The Boys in the Band. He is also known for portraying Michael in tick, tick... BOOM!.

Life and career

Robin de Jesús was born in Norwalk, Connecticut.

His first major role was as Michael in the independent film Camp (2003), where he plays a gay teen who gets beat up for wearing drag to his prom. While the film (which also starred Anna Kendrick) went relatively unnoticed in the mainstream, it gained a cult following among musical theater fans and teens who connected to the outcast theme.

He is perhaps best known for playing the role of Sonny in the 2008 Broadway musical In the Heights, for which he received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. In 2010, he joined the revival cast of La Cage aux Folles as Jacob, the sassy housekeeper, which earned him his second Tony Award nomination in the Featured Actor category. The production opened at the Longacre Theatre on April 18, 2010. De Jesús left the production on February 13, 2011, replaced by Wilson Jermaine Heredia. De Jesús played the role of Boq in the Broadway production of Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre. In 2019, he received a third Tony Award nomination, for Best Featured Actor in a Play, for his role of Emory in The Boys in the Band. He recreated the role for the 2020 film adaptation produced for Netflix.

In 2021, Jesús played Michael in the musical drama tick, tick... BOOM!, the directorial debut of Lin-Manuel Miranda, for which he received critical acclaim and a nomination for the Satellite Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.

Personal life

Jesús is gay.

Credits

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2003CampMichael Flores
2006Fat GirlsRudy
2011Gun Hill RoadRobin
2012Elliot LovesHector
2013Hair BrainedRomeo Torres
Bert and Arnie's Guide to FriendshipStudent
201611:55Rubio
2020MilkwaterGeorge
The Boys in the BandEmory
2021tick, tick... BOOM!Michael

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2010How to Make It in AmericaStreet teenagerEpisode: "Crisp"
2012–2016Law & Order: Special Victims UnitJose Silva5 episodes
2022Santiago of the SeasPepitoEpisode: "A Tale of Two-mas"
Would I Lie to You?HimselfEpisode: "Boy in a Barrel"
2022–2023Welcome to ChippendalesRay Colon6 episodes
2023Big Mouth"Esperando Pelitos" performer (voice)Episode: "The International Show"
2025Black RabbitTonyMiniseries

Theater

YearTitleRoleDetailsNotes
2005RentSteve/Waiter Angel (u/s)Broadway
In the HeightsSonnyEugene O'Neill Theater Center
2007Off-Broadway
2008–2010Broadway; February 14, 2008 – February 14, 2010
2010–2011La Cage aux FollesJacobBroadway revival; April 6, 2010 – February 14, 2011
2012AladdinAladdinThe Muny
2013DomesticatedBar PatronLincoln Center Theater
In the HeightsSonnyUnited Palace of Cultural Arts
2014GreaseDoodyPaper Mill Playhouse
Mother Jones and the Children's CrusadeJack DorseyNew York Musical Theatre Festival
2014–2016WickedBoqBroadway; December 16, 2014 – January 31, 2016
2016CabaretThe EmceeWells Fargo Pavilion
2017In the HeightsUsnaviOlney Theatre Center
2017–2018WickedBoq"Munchkinland" national tour; May 2, 2017 – March 12, 2018
2018The Boys in the BandEmoryBroadway revival
2023Little Shop of HorrorsSeymour KrelbornThe Muny
2026Night Side SongsEnsembleClaire Tow Theater

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2007Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Ensemble PerformanceIn the HeightsWon
2008Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a MusicalNominated
2010Best Featured Actor in a MusicalLa Cage aux FollesNominated
Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a MusicalNominated
2019Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a PlayThe Boys in the BandNominated
2021Satellite AwardBest Supporting Actor – Motion Picturetick, tick... BOOM!Nominated
Hollywood Critics Association Film AwardBest Supporting ActorNominated
2026Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding EnsembleNight Side SongsPending

See also

External links