8 Things You Didn’t Know About Okieriete Onaodowan

➡ Okieriete Onaodowan Biography

Okieriete Onaodowan is a Nigerian-born American actor. In general, he is best known to audiences as the actor who portrays both “Hercules Mulligan” and “James Madison” in Hamilton. However, Okieriete Onaodowan has been taking on more and more roles in more and more projects, indicating that he is thriving in his chosen field. Here are eight facts about Okieriete Onaodowan that you may or may not have known.

8 Things You Didn’t Know About Okieriete Onaodowan

1. Raised In West Orange, NJ

Having said that, Onaodowan was born in Newark, NJ, but raised in West Orange, NJ. The township’s name may appear strange at first, but it is named after William III of England, who was also known as William IV, Prince of Orange.

2. Injured His Femur While Playing Football

Onaodowan used to play football in high school. However, while playing with some of his friends, he fractured his femur, and he didn’t regain his ability to walk until six months later. ^[1]

3. Clashed With His Parents

Onaodowan was accepted into the New Jersey Youth Theatre, which is a well-known training ground. However, it is perhaps unsurprising that he had a falling out with his parents over his decision to pursue acting as a career. Given that they preferred him to attend college instead.

4. His First Play

Onaodowan’s first play was far from Hamilton. For example, he played Pontius Pilate in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, a play about the titular character undergoing an appeal while in purgatory.

5. Played Two Roles In “Hamilton”

Onaodowan played not one, but two roles in Hamilton. First, he portrayed “Hercules Mulligan”, an Irish-born tailor who had a significant impact on “Alexander Hamilton’s” political views. Second, Onaodowan portrayed “James Madison”, who is widely regarded as one of the most influential Founding Fathers. ^[2]

6. His Involvement In Acting

Due to his injury, Onaodowan decided to join the Jubilee Choir as well as get involved in the high school theatre program in order to occupy his time. That led him to his current career.

7. Called Into audition For George Washington In “Hamilton”

Okieriete Onaodowan was initially called in to audition for the role of George Washington before being offered the role of Hercules Mulligan/James Madison. Producers decided to cast him in the roles of Hercules Mulligan and James Madison after noticing that he would be a good fit for them.

8. Flourishing Career

Unsurprisingly, Onaodowan’s career is flourishing at the moment. He is still active in theatre, as evidenced by his recent performance in a play based on a section of Leo Tolstoy’s epic War and Peace. He has, however, appeared in a variety of roles in projects ranging from BoJack Horseman to Station 19. Furthermore, Onaodowan is currently expected to appear in a number of upcoming projects.