Mar 26, 1985
Aries
Lancaster, PA
40 years old
N/A
N/A
Stage Actor
Jonathan Groff – Complete Biography
Early Life & Family
Jonathan Drew Groff was born on March 26, 1985, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania . His parents, Julie (a physical education teacher) and Jim (a standardbred horse trainer), raised him on a farm in rural Lancaster County. He has one older brother, David, who later became COO of WebstaurantStore . As a child, Jonathan acted out musicals like Mary Poppins and The Wizard of Oz in the barn with friends and family, discovering his love for performing when he was just three years old .
Education & Theatrical Beginnings
Groff attended Conestoga Valley High School, graduating in 2003 . He briefly planned to study drama at Carnegie Mellon but in 2005 relocated to New York to begin his Broadway career, starting as an understudy in In My Life . He gained fame in 2006 playing Melchior Gabor in Spring Awakening, earning his first Tony nomination and the Theatre World Award for Outstanding Debut .
Stage Career & Awards
2008–2009: Performed in Hair at Shakespeare in the Park, then starred in Off-Broadway hits like Prayer for My Enemy and The Singing Forest, winning Obie Awards .
2010–2015: Took roles in Deathtrap and the West End version, before originating King George III in Hamilton on Broadway. He received multiple nominations for Tony and Grammy awards .
2019: Shined as Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway, earning Outer Critics Circle and Lucille Lortel Award accolades.
2023–2024: Starred as Franklin Shepard in Merrily We Roll Along, winning the 2024 Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical .
Spring 2025 onward: Leads Just in Time, embodying Bobby Darin in a biographical musical showcasing his ongoing Broadway impact .
Screen & Voice Work
Television: Played Jesse St. James on Glee (2009–15), Patrick Murray in HBO’s Looking (2014–16), and FBI Agent Holden Ford in Netflix’s Mindhunter (2017–19), earning a Satellite Award . He also guested in series like Doctor Who (2024) .
Film: Feature debut in Taking Woodstock (2009), appearances in The Conspirator, The Matrix Resurrections, Knock at the Cabin (2023) .
Animation: Voiced Kristoff (and Sven) in Disney’s Frozen (2013) and Frozen II (2019), also honored with a Disney Legends award in 2022 .
Personal Life & Identity
Raised Methodist with Mennonite roots, Groff publicly came out as gay in 2009, calling himself “gay and proud” . He has dated notable figures including Zachary Quinto (2010–2013), Gavin Creel, and Corey Baker (around 2018–2020) . In June 2025, he reflected on turning 40, expressing gratitude and excitement about his journey with Bobby Darin’s upcoming Broadway project .
Legacy & Artistic Philosophy
Groff is celebrated for choosing challenging, diverse roles across stage and screen—prioritizing artistic fulfillment over fame. He credits Spring Awakening, Sondheim, and ensemble chemistry in Merrily We Roll Along for deep artistic growth .
With multiple Tony nominations and wins, a Grammy, Emmy nods, and a Disney Legend title, his career reflects immense versatility and enduring impact .
