Lin-Manuel Miranda

Background

Lin-Manuel Miranda was born in New York City to Luis Miranda Jr., a Democratic Party consultant, and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda, a clinical psychologist. He was raised in the Inwood neighborhood, and his name was inspired by a poem named “Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel,” based on the Vietnam War and written by the Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago. He has mentioned that his home was always filled with sounds of salsa and show tunes, which moved him toward showbiz from a young age. He saw his first Broadway musical “Les Misérables” when he was seven. The musical made a lasting impression on him and he decided to pursue his interests.

He also became a proficient rapper while he was in high school and was a regular member of the school’s drama program. It was at that time he met his mentor, Stephen Sondheim, and musical-theater legend, John Kander. Miranda continued his studies at Wesleyan University, where he explored writing musicals and songs. It was there that he wrote the first draft of the musical “In the Heights,” which was set in Washington Heights, a neighborhood similar to that of his childhood. When the musical made its debut on Off-Broadway, it received nine Drama Desk nominations.

After his graduation, he started his acting career with T.V. shows and films. His work included “The Sopranos,” “Sex and the City,” “House,” and “The Electric Company.” He also performed with an improv group specializing in hip-hop named Freestyle Love Supreme. The group performed around New York City and at festivals. “In the Heights” made its Broadway debut in March 2008 and won four Tony Awards. The musical was also nominated for the Pulitzer Prize, and the recording of the original cast won a Grammy Award in 2008.

Miranda also created another popular musical based on the Founding Father, Alexander Hamilton. The musical titled “Hamilton” was energetic and infectious, and it was commended for featuring a racially diverse cast, with Miranda starring as the titular character. In January 2015, the musical opened Off-Broadway, where its huge success helped them make an early move to Broadway in July. Hamilton was awarded the Pulitzer Prize, and that year it received an unprecedented 16 Tony nominations, eventually winning 11 and falling one short of the record. As one of the creators behind “Hamilton,” he also received a special Kennedy Center Honor for developing groundbreaking work that defies categorization.

Miranda also worked on the soundtrack for the Disney animated film “Moana,” for which he earned an Academy Award nomination for the song ‘How Far I’ll Go.’ In the musical “Mary Poppins Returns,” he assumed the mantle of the sidekick to the nanny. He directed his first feature film titled, “tick, tick…BOOM!” in 2021, which is an adaptation of the stage musical. He also wrote ‘Dos Oruguitas’ (Two Caterpillars) for the film “Encanto” (Charm), and the song earned Miranda another Oscar nomination.