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Entertainment • Actor

Andrew Rannells

Andrew Rannells is an American actor, singer, and author known for his work on Broadway, in film, television, and voice acting.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Andrew Rannells is an American actor, singer, and author known for his work on Broadway, in film, television, and voice acting. He is especially associated with Broadway productions such as The Book of Mormon, Falsettos, Hairspray, and Jersey Boys, and has also appeared in series including Girls, Black Monday, and Girls5eva.

Early life and education

Andrew Scott Rannells was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on August 23, 1978. Publicly available biographies note that he attended school in Omaha and briefly studied at Marymount Manhattan College.

Stage career

Rannells built his reputation on Broadway, including performances in Hairspray, Jersey Boys, The Book of Mormon, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Hamilton, Falsettos, Gutenberg! The Musical!, and The Boys in the Band. His performance in The Book of Mormon brought him major recognition, including a Tony nomination and a Grammy win for the cast album.

Screen work

He has played recurring and supporting roles in television series such as Girls, The New Normal, Black Monday, Girls5eva, Welcome to Chippendales, and Big Mouth. His film work includes The Intern, A Simple Favor, The Prom, and the film adaptation of The Boys in the Band.

Writing and other work

In addition to acting and singing, Rannells has published memoirs and written essays. His credits also include voice acting and directing work on screen projects.

Key facts

  • Rannells made his Broadway debut in 2005 in Hairspray, first as an understudy and then in the role of Link Larkin.
  • He originated the role of Elder Price in The Book of Mormon and won a Grammy Award for the cast recording.
  • He received Tony Award nominations for The Book of Mormon and Falsettos.
  • His television credits include Girls, The New Normal, Black Monday, Girls5eva, Welcome to Chippendales, and Big Mouth.
  • His film credits include The Intern, A Simple Favor, The Prom, and The Boys in the Band.
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Canadian context

Rannells has appeared in internationally distributed film and television projects that are widely available to Canadian audiences, including The Prom, A Simple Favor, Girls, and Big Mouth.[2][11]

Frequently asked questions

Who is Andrew Rannells?
Andrew Rannells is an American actor, singer, and author known for Broadway, television, film, and voice acting.
What is Andrew Rannells best known for?
He is best known for originating Elder Price in The Book of Mormon and for stage and screen roles in productions such as Girls and The Boys in the Band.
Has Andrew Rannells won a Grammy Award?
Yes. He won a Grammy Award for The Book of Mormon cast recording as a featured soloist.
Has Andrew Rannells been nominated for a Tony Award?
Yes. He received Tony Award nominations for The Book of Mormon and Falsettos.
What books has Andrew Rannells written?
His published books include Too Much Is Not Enough: A Memoir of Fumbling Toward Adulthood and Uncle of the Year: & Other Debatable Triumphs.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://www.wikia.org/wiki/Andrew_Rannells
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, Broadway debut, major stage and screen credits, 2026 casting note
  2. Broadway.com — https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/andrew-rannells/profile/
    Supports: Broadway credits, Olivier nomination, film and television credits, authored books
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0710330/
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, occupations, known-for credits
  4. All American Speakers — https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/celebritytalentbios/Andrew+Rannells/391556
    Supports: The Book of Mormon role, Tony nomination, Grammy win, earlier Broadway and television credits
  5. Penguin Random House — https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2168913/andrew-rannells/
    Supports: Author credits, stage, screen, and writing background
  6. Kennedy Center — https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/r/ra-rn/andrew-rannells/
    Supports: Recent theatre, film, television, and award details