Leslie Odom Jr: Hamilton Star, Movies, Net Worth, Tour

Leslie Odom Jr. is best known for his Tony-winning performance as Aaron Burr in Hamilton, a role that transformed him from a working Broadway actor into a household name and Oscar-nominated film star. Since that breakthrough, he has balanced theater returns, film roles, and concert tours while maintaining a low-key personal life with his wife Nicolette Robinson.

Born: August 6, 1981 · Famous Role: Aaron Burr in Hamilton · Awards: Tony and Grammy winner · Monthly Listeners: 5,139,184 on Spotify · Broadway Debut: 1998

The following table pulls together the essential biographical data from publicly available records.

What is Leslie Odom Jr. most famous for?

Leslie Odom Jr. became a household name with his Tony-winning performance as Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton. He won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, and the cast album he performed on won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in the same year. His portrayal of Burr — the man who shoots Alexander Hamilton in the musical’s infamous duel — turned a supporting character into a breakout star.

Role in Hamilton

Odom originated the role of Aaron Burr when Hamilton opened off-Broadway in February 2015, then moved with the show to the Richard Rodgers Theatre on Broadway that August. His chemistry with Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton and his show-stopping numbers like “Wait for It” and “Room Where It Happens” made him the cast’s standout draw.

Broadway achievements

Before Hamilton, Odom had logged nearly two decades on stage, debuting on Broadway in 1998. His Tony came after years of steady work in shows like The Little Mermaid and Leap of Faith. In 2023, he earned another Tony nomination for his performance in the revival of Purlie Victorious, which he also produced alongside his wife Nicolette Robinson (Playbill). His return to Hamilton in 2024 for the show’s 10th anniversary on Broadway sent weekly grosses from roughly $2 million to between $3–4 million.

Is Leslie Odom Jr related to Lamar Odom?

No confirmed connection exists between Leslie Odom Jr. and former NBA player Lamar Odom. Despite sharing the surname, no public record links them as family. Leslie has kept his family background relatively private, though he is of African American descent and was born and raised in New York City.

Family background comparison

Leslie Odom Jr. grew up in a musical household and began singing at age 2. His parents’ names and occupations are not widely publicized, but his upbringing in New York gave him early access to the city’s performing arts scene. Lamar Odom, by contrast, is a former professional basketball player who rose to fame in the NBA and later had a widely publicized career in entertainment. The two have separate career paths, fan bases, and biographical trajectories.

Is Leslie Odom Jr. still married?

Leslie Odom Jr. is married to actress Nicolette Robinson. The couple met in 2008 while both performing in a production of Leap of Faith in Pasadena, California. They dated for several years before marrying in 2012. Nicolette Robinson has appeared in commercials and television roles, most notably in CBS’s The Hunt for the I-5 Killer. She also produced Purlie Victorious alongside Odom in 2023.

Personal life details

The couple has children together, though Leslie keeps details about his children out of the public eye. He and Nicolette have maintained a relatively low-key personal life despite his rising fame. Their partnership extends beyond marriage — they co-produced the Broadway revival Purlie Victorious, which earned a Tony nomination for Odom in 2023.

What ethnicity is Leslie Odom Jr.?

Leslie Odom Jr. is African American. He was born Leslie Lloyd Odom Jr. on August 6, 1981, in New York City, where he was raised in Queens. His background has informed his career choices — from playing Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami (2020) to his early training in gospel and musical theater.

Background origins

Odom’s parents recognized his talent early; he began singing at age 2 and trained at the Oakwood School in Brooklyn before pursuing performing arts seriously. His New York roots gave him access to the city’s competitive theater scene, and he logged his Broadway debut at age 17 in 1998. His ethnicity and upbringing shaped a career that bridges classical musical theater, film acting, and recording artist work.

Leslie Odom Jr movies and TV shows

Beyond Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. has built a filmography that spans historical dramas, ensemble whodunits, and television series. His post-Broadway transition to screen acting began with supporting roles before landing his most acclaimed film performance to date.

Film roles

Odom’s film debut came in Red Tails (2012), George Lucas’s tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen. He then appeared in supporting roles in Harriet (2019) and Murder on the Orient Express (2018). His breakout film role came as Sam Cooke in One Night in Miami (2020), directed by Regina King — the performance earned him Oscar nominations for Best Supporting Actor and Best Original Song (ScreenDollars). More recently, he appeared in Glass Onion, Rian Johnson’s 2022 whodunit ensemble film.

Television appearances

On television, Odom has logged guest roles in The Good Wife and One Dollar, and he starred in the Freeform limited series Love in the Time of Corona in 2020. He also voiced a character in Apple’s animated series Central Park. His TV work has been more episodic than his film roles, though he brings the same screen presence that made his Hamilton performance memorable.

Key facts timeline

Six milestones mark Odom’s transition from Broadway newcomer to multifaceted entertainer.

What the numbers say

Three data points surface consistently across Odom’s financial and performance records.

What experts say

Two sources have framed Odom’s 2024 return in terms that go beyond standard theater coverage.

Odom Jr.’s return has been a bonanza at the box office for the hit musical.

— Playbill (Broadway trade publication)

Leslie Odom Jr. won a Tony for his starmaking performance as Aaron Burr in Hamilton and broke box office records when he returned.

— Broadway.com (Theater news outlet)

Both outlets anchor their coverage to specific box office data rather than general praise, which is why Odom’s impact registers as measurable: his return drove Hamilton from a $2-million-weekly average to $3–4 million during his 12-week run.

What comes next

For Leslie Odom Jr., the immediate future is split between two formats: live concerts and theater reunions. His 2026 schedule shows him touring American venues through May, then shifting to the London production of Hamilton from July through September.

• April 30, 2026: American Music Theatre, Lancaster, PA (ConcertFix)
• May 2, 2026: Kleinhans Music Hall, Buffalo, NY (SeatGeek)
• May 22, 2026: Boston Symphony Hall, MA (SeatGeek)
• July 3 – September 5, 2026: Hamilton, Victoria Palace Theatre, London (Broadway.com)

The implication: Odom has built a career on returns — he keeps coming back to Hamilton because the role keeps delivering for him financially (thanks to his profit-sharing deal) and professionally (the London run marks his international debut as Burr). Fans looking to catch him live have two windows: the concert tour in spring and the London show in summer and early fall.

For anyone deciding between a U.S. concert and the London run, the math is straightforward: concert tickets in Buffalo start at $85, while his Broadway return averaged $352 per ticket. The London engagement at Victoria Palace Theatre — one of London’s most storied venues — will likely command a higher price point but offers the theatrical experience of seeing his signature role in a new market.

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Leslie Odom Jr. earned a Tony for originating Aaron Burr in Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton, the hip-hop infused chronicle of America’s Founding Father.

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