Get to know the acclaimed American actor and playwright, Michael Benjamin Washington, through this comprehensive biography. Discover details about his career, personal life, and significant achievements.

Wiki/Biography

Born on Thursday, June 7, 1979, in Dallas, Texas, Michael Benjamin Washington is a Gemini. He celebrated his 42nd birthday in 2020. He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a major in Drama and a minor in Journalism from NYU’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. This solid foundation in both dramatic arts and communication clearly shaped his multifaceted career.

Physical Appearance

• Height (approx.): 6’ 1”
• Eye Color: Black
• Hair Color: Black

Family & Ethnicity

Michael is a Black American. While details about his parents remain private, he does have a sister. He maintains a strong sense of family despite protecting his privacy.

Career

His New York debut arrived in 1998 with the Second Stage Theatre production of Saturday Night, where he played ‘Ted’. His Broadway debut followed in 2001 with Mamma Mia!, portraying ‘Eddie’.

His Broadway credits are extensive and impressive, including roles in productions such as The Summer Bride, Funny Girl (2002), Miracle Brother (2004), La Cage Aux Folles (2004), The Viz (2006), The Boys in the Band (2018), Call Me Madam (2019), Pride Plays (2019), and Flies in the Mirror (2019). Beyond acting, he showcased his talent as a playwright with Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin (2015) and Pride Plays (2019).

His television and film career is equally remarkable. He made his television debut in 2004 with The Jury and appeared in numerous shows, including Hope & Faith (2005), Law & Order (2009), 10 Things I Hate About You (2010), Glee (2010), 30 Rock (2009-10), Wendell and Vinnie (2013), Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2017), and Ratched (2020). His film debut was in Love & Other Drugs (2010), and he has since appeared in Open Books (2010), Save The Date (2014), Until the Wedding (2019), The Boys in the Band (2020), and American Auto (2020).

Favorite Things

• Plays: Torch Song Trilogy by Harvey Fierstein, Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare
• Musical: Pippin by Bob Fosse and Roger O. Hirson
• Playwright: Harvey Fierstein

Facts/Trivia

Michael’s accomplishments extend beyond his stage and screen roles. He’s a Presidential Scholar in the Arts, a National Reviewer and Masterclass Instructor for the National YoungArts Foundation, and a member of the Broadway Inspirational Voices. He also served on the board of directors of the Moonshine Project, an off-Broadway company focused on developing new works by young artists.

His exceptional talent has earned him prestigious awards, including the San Diego Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Play and Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play for Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin (2015). In 2019, he received the Human Rights Campaign’s Visibility Award at the St. Louis Dinner. His dedication to his art and community is evident in his numerous achievements.