Christopher Jackson is best known for originating the role of George Washington in Broadway’s Hamilton, a role for which he earned a Tony nomination. But as he told Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest on LIVE With Kelly & Ryan during his November 5 visit, he didn’t grow up with dreams of the stage.
“I didn't know what Broadway was, I was going to play for the Cardinals,” said Jackson. Of course, the actor found his way to music and theatre.
“I grew up singing in church. My family owned funeral homes so I would sing for the occasional funeral, as well,” Jackson said. “One of my first public performances was singing hymns at a funeral for a friend of our family.
“My grandma sat me at the piano and taught me ‘Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross’ and that's what I sang.”
Now he boasts seven Broadway credits, which also includes Disney’s The Lion King and Lin-Manuel Miranda’s first Broadway outing, In The Heights. He currently stars on CBS’ Bull as Chunk Palmer and is filming the television mini-series Central Park Five. He also provided the singing voice to Chief Tui in Disney’s Moana.