Daveed Diggs

Daveed Diggs Bio

Daveed Daniele Diggs (born January 24, 1982) is an American actor, rapper, and singer-songwriter best known for his role in the musical Hamilton. He received a Tony Award for his performance as Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette and has also made notable contributions to film and television, including Blindspotting and Snowpiercer. Diggs is the leader of the experimental hip hop group Clipping and has collaborated with various artists in the music industry. Beyond performing, he is recognized for his educational advancements, earning a degree from Brown University.

Early Life and Background

Daveed Diggs was born in Oakland, California, to Barbara, a social worker, and Dountes Diggs, a bus driver. His mother is Jewish, and his father is African-American. His parents named him “Daveed,” the Hebrew pronunciation of David. Diggs has expressed that his parents’ ethnic and racial identities have influenced his self-identification. He attended Berkeley High School and later graduated from Brown University in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in theatre arts. While at Brown, he was also a talented athlete, breaking the school’s record in the 110-meter hurdles.

Path to Hollywood

Diggs began his career in experimental theater, notably participating in the national tour of Marc Bamuthi Joseph’s choreopoem, Word Becomes Flesh. He also frequently performed in regional Shakespeare productions. Diggs met Lin-Manuel Miranda through the freestyle rap group Freestyle Love Supreme, which led to his involvement in the early readings of Hamilton. His performances in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Hamilton in 2015 marked a significant turning point in his career, establishing him as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.

Daveed Diggs Career

Early Career (2003–2015)

Diggs’s Hollywood film debut came with the Disney animated film Zootopia, where he wrote and performed the song “Parlez Vous Rap.” He gained further recognition with roles in the 2017 film Wonder, where he played a schoolteacher, and Ferdinand, where he voiced the character Dos. His work in these films laid the groundwork for his later success.

Breakthrough (2015–Present)

Diggs’s breakthrough role came when he originated the dual roles of Thomas Jefferson and Marquis de Lafayette in the musical Hamilton. His performance earned him a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical in 2016, along with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album for the cast recording. Following his departure from Hamilton, he starred in the television series Black-ish and co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film Blindspotting, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 2018.

Notable Works and Milestones

Diggs’s signature work includes his role in Hamilton, which not only showcased his acting talent but also his musical abilities. He has received multiple awards for his performances, including a Tony Award and a Grammy Award. His film Blindspotting received critical acclaim, and he continued to expand his career with roles in Snowpiercer and the live-action adaptation of The Little Mermaid.

Daveed Diggs Award Nominations

Throughout his career, Daveed Diggs has received numerous nominations, reflecting his talent and versatility as an actor and musician.

Daveed Diggs Awards Won

Daveed Diggs has won several prestigious awards, including a Tony Award for his role in Hamilton, a Grammy Award for the cast album of Hamilton, and a Children’s and Family Emmy Award for his work on the live stage recording of Hamilton.

Daveed Diggs Family

Daveed Diggs is currently in a relationship with Emmy Raver-Lampman, whom he met in 2015 during their performances in Hamilton. They have one child together.

Personal Life

Diggs has one son with Emmy Raver-Lampman. The couple has been together since 2015, and their relationship has been a significant part of his personal life.