Jonathan Drew Groff, born on March 26, 1985, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, is an accomplished American actor and singer renowned for his dynamic performances on both stage and screen. His career has been marked by numerous accolades, including a Tony Award, a Grammy Award, and a nomination for a Primetime Emmy Award. Groff is particularly celebrated for his role as Melchior Gabor in the groundbreaking Broadway production of Spring Awakening, which catapulted him to fame and established him as a prominent figure in the performing arts.

Groff grew up in a supportive family; his father, Jim Groff, and mother, Julie Groff, nurtured his early interest in performing. He attended the Conestoga Valley High School, where he became involved in the school’s theater productions, ultimately leading him to pursue a career in acting. He made his Broadway debut in 2005 in the musical In My Life, but it was his portrayal of Melchior in Spring Awakening that earned him critical acclaim and a Tony Award nomination. The show, which explored themes of adolescence and sexuality, resonated with audiences and showcased Groff's powerful vocal abilities and emotional depth.

Following his success in theater, Groff transitioned to television, where he first gained recognition for his recurring role as Jesse St. James in the hit Fox musical-comedy series Glee, from 2009 to 2015. His performance in the show endeared him to a new generation of fans and allowed him to showcase his musical talents on a broader platform. He later starred as Patrick Murray in the HBO series Looking, which focused on the lives of gay men in San Francisco and received critical acclaim for its authentic representation. Groff reprised his role in the subsequent television film Looking: The Movie in 2016.

In addition to his television roles, Groff made a significant impact on the film industry. He made his cinematic debut in Taking Woodstock (2009) and has since appeared in films such as The Conspirator (2010) and Knock at the Cabin (2023). His role as Louis J. Weichmann in The Conspirator further demonstrated his versatility as an actor. Notably, he also lent his voice to the character Kristoff in Disney's animated phenomenon Frozen (2013) and its sequel, Frozen II (2019), which became cultural landmarks and showcased his vocal talents to an even wider audience.

Groff's stage career continued to flourish with notable performances, including his portrayal of King George III in the original production of Hamilton in 2015 and his performance as Bobby Darin in Just in Time in 2025, both of which earned him Tony Award nominations. In 2024, he won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his role as Franklin Shepard in the revival of Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along. He also starred as Seymour Krelborn in the Off-Broadway revival of Little Shop of Horrors in 2019, solidifying his status as a leading talent in musical theater.

More recently, Groff served as an executive producer for the HBO documentary film Spring Awakening: Those You've Known, which celebrated the 15-year reunion of the original cast of Spring Awakening. This project highlighted his commitment to the arts and his continued connection to the work that initially brought him fame. With a career that spans across various facets of the entertainment industry, Jonathan Groff remains a significant and influential figure, admired for his talent, passion, and contributions to both theater and film.