entertainment
By Chelsea Candelario
•
Published Jun 16, 2021
When In the Heights wasreleased, we spotted a few familiar faces in the main cast (such as creator Lin-Manuel Miranda). However, there was one character in particular that we recognized almost immediately and had that thought: Why does he look *so* familiar? See, Anthony Ramos is the leading man in this musical hit but this is actually not the only thing we've seen him in. So, we did a little research—keep scrolling down to learn all about the actor.
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1. Who Is Anthony Ramos?
Anthony Ramos is an actor, songwriter and singer. He's best known for his role in the Broadway musical Hamilton, playing John Laurens and Philip Hamilton.
The 29-year-old star is of Puerto Rican descent and was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY. While he graduated from New Utrecht High School, he went on to attend the American Musical and Dramatic Academy on a full scholarship for their musical theatre program.
2. What Is in The Heights?
In the Heights is a movie adaption of the Tony-award-winning Broadway show of the same name. Created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, it explores Washington Heights and the people that live there. It's centered around love, family and culture.
In the movie, Ramos plays Usnavi de la Vega, a small bodega owner and narrator of the film. He retells stories about his neighborhood while singing about his dream of moving to the Dominican Republic and reopening his father's bar. (And FYI, it's the same role Miranda played on Broadway.)
But this isn't the first time the 29-year-old actor was involved in In the Heights. Back in 2012, he landed a role as Sonny de la Vega (after three attempts of auditioning) in the regional production of the show at Salt Lake City's Pioneer Theatre Company. “[Heights] was the only show I felt like I could have a part in, so I had already learned all the male parts,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. He also played Usnavi for The Kennedy Center's Broadway Center Stage series in 2018. Full circle huh?
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3. What Else Has Ramos Starred In?
As mentioned before, Ramos was in the original cast of Hamilton. He played the dual role of Alexander Hamilton's friend and son from January 20, 2015 to November 20, 2016. But prior to starring in the biggest musical in history, he performed in productions like Hearts and Lights at Radio City Music Hall, Grease, Damn Yankees and 21 Chump Street (another Miranda creation).
He also has a few film and TV credits under his name. In September 2016, he landed a role in the Netflix drama-comedy series She's Gotta Have It as Mars Blackmon before becoming a movie star in films like A Star Is Born as Ramon (aka Lady Gaga's bestie). You've probably even seen him in Will & Grace, Younger, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Trolls World Tour, In Treatment and Blindspotting. Soon he'll star in the sci-fi film Distant and the next installment of the Transformers franchise.
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4. Who Is Anthony Ramos's Fiancée?
Ramos is in a relationship with actress Jasmine Cephas Jones. They've been together since 2015 after meeting during their time in Hamilton. On Christmas Eve of 2018, he proposed to Jones in front of her family and friends in England. They were planning for a wedding in Fall 2020, but as a result of the pandemic, the big day has been postponed. Until then, we'll be enjoying their cute moments on social and red carpets.
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5. Ok, Does He Do Anything Else?
It's no surprise that Ramos is a triple threat. The star is very passionate about music. In 2017, he debuted his first EP, The Freedom, with tracks like "Freedom," "Common Ground" and "Alright." In 2019, he signed with Republic Records and debut his first album, The Good & The Bad (where you'll find a mix of genres and songs inspired by his relationship with Jones). Soon, he's dropping his second album, Love and Lies, this summer.
But when's not performing or acting, he's representing brands like Crown Royal and Calvin Klein (where he's featured in their 2021 Spring collection alongside Megan Thee Stallion and Jacob Elordi).
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Chelsea Candelario
Beauty and Cultures Editor
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