John Earl Jelks Headshot

John Earl Jelks

Get John Earl Jelks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

John Earl Jelks BIO

Tony Nominee, August Wilson's Radio Golf. After appearing on Broadway in Gem of the Ocean, Radio Golf &Holler If Ya Hear Me, Jelks is excited to return to Broadway in Lynn Nottage's SWEAT, directed by the brilliant Kate Whoriskey. After a successful run of Sweat at the Public, Jelks recently appeared at the Public Theater in Head of Passes and ToasT. Select Off-Broadway credits include: The Break of Noon, Magnolia, Two Trains Running, Fetch Clay, Make Man and Sunset Baby. Recently honored with an Obie Award for Fetch Clay, Make Man and Sunset Baby. Other awards: L.A. Ovation Award, NAACP Theatre Award, AUDELCO Award. Film/TV credits include: Snap, The Miraculous, Miracle at St. Anna, "Law &Order: SVU" and "Blue Bloods."

John Earl Jelks Photos

John Earl Jelks STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Roundabout Theatre Company Original Broadway Production, 2022
Matt/William [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2017
Brucie

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere at the Public Theater, 2016
Brucie

[Off-Broadway]
Public Theater Original Off-Broadway Production, 2015
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Street Preacher

[Off-Broadway]
New York Theatre Workshop Production, 2013
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
MCC Theater Production, 2010
Lawyer / Detective

[Off-Broadway]
2008
Harper Edwards

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2007
Sterling Johnson

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2004
Citizen Barlow


John Earl Jelks Movies

A Powerful Thang
[ 1991 ] Craig Watkins John Jelks
Compensation
[ 1999 ] Arthur Jones, Nico Jones
Miracle at St. Anna
[ 2008 ] Detective Dillard
Enter the Dangerous Mind
[ 2013 ] Lt. Ike
Night Comes On
[ 2018 ] John Lamere John Jelks

John Earl Jelks Awards and Nominations


winner
Obie Awards - 2014 - Performance

John Earl JelksSunset Baby and Fetch Clay

Tony Awards - 2007 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

John Earl Jelks, Radio Golf

John Earl Jelks Videos

John Earl Jelks News


BIRTHDAY CANDLES Starring Debra Messing Begins Final Two Weeks on Broadway


Roundabout Theatre Company will conclude the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch on Sunday, May 29.

Photos: On the Red Carpet at the KEEPING COMPANY WITH SONDHEIM Screening


This past weekend, Tracie Bennett, Erin Davie, Antwayn Hopper, Michael R. Jackson, John Earl Jelks, Tavon Olds-Sample, Andy Nyman, Soara-Joye Ross, Jessie Shelton, Matthew Sklar, Antoine L. Smith, original cast members Pamela Myers and Teri Ralston, and more were on hand to celebrate the exclusive screening of “Keeping Company with Sondheim”, a documentary from Great Performances on PBS. 

Recap Tony Awards Eligibility of the 2021-22 Season


The Tony Awards Administration Committee has been meeting all year to discuss the eligibility of the 2021-22 Broadway productions all leading up to Monday's big announcement... the Tony nominations. Need a recap before the nominations announcement? Below, we've rounded up all rulings from all four meeting. Apart from these specific decisions, all other eligibility rulings were consistent with opening night billing.

Tony Awards Administration Committee Makes Final Eligibility Rulings for FUNNY GIRL, A STRANGE LOOP & More


The Tony Awards Administration Committee met today to confirm the eligibility status of fifteen Broadway productions for the 2021-2022 season.  This was the third and final time the Tony Awards Administration Committee met to decide the eligibility for the 75th Annual Tony Awards.

VIDEO: Go Inside Opening Night of BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Manhole Explosions Cause Panic at Opening Night of BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Yesterday, Sunday, April 10, manhole cover explosions in Times Square caused panic among tourists and the exiting opening night audience of Broadway's Birthday Candles.

Photos: BIRTHDAY CANDLES Company Celebrates Opening Night


Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway and BroadwayWorld was there to capture photos!

Photos: Debra Messing and Company Take Opening Night Bows in BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022.

Photos: BIRTHDAY CANDLES Opening Night Red Carpet


Just last night, Roundabout Theatre Company New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, celebrated opening night and BroadwayWorld was there to capture pictures.

VIDEO: Watch Highlights from BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway


Watch a video from Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.

Review Roundup: BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway


Read all the reviews of Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch including the New York Times and more.

Photos: First Look at Debra Messing & More in BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Previews are currently underway for Roundabout Theatre Company's New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.

Up on the Marquee: BIRTHDAY CANDLES, Starring Debra Messing


Roundabout Theatre Company is getting ready to present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch. Birthday Candles will begin preview performances this Friday, March 18, 2022 and open officially on Sunday, April 10, 2022. This is a limited engagement through Sunday, May 29, 2022 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Check out photos of the new theatre marquee!

BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway Starring Debra Messing Begins Previews Tomorrow


Roundabout Theatre Company will present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch, which begins previews tomorrow, March 18.

Photos: Debra Messing & Company in Rehearsals for BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Roundabout Theatre Company is getting ready to present the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, starring Emmy Award winner Debra Messing, directed by Vivienne Benesch.   

Meet the Cast of BIRTHDAY CANDLES


Birthday Candles begins previews tonight, March 18, ahead of its official opening on April 10 at the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway (227 West 42nd Street). Meet the cast bringing this show to the stage!

Photos: The Company of BIRTHDAY CANDLES Meets the Press


Debra Messing (Will & Grace) returns to the stage as Ernestine Ashworth, who spends her 17th birthday agonizing over her insignificance in the universe. Soon enough, it’s her 18th birthday. Even sooner, her 41st. Her 70th. Her 101st.

Wake Up With BWW 1/14: ANYTHING GOES With Sutton Foster Comes to US Cinemas, and More!


Today's top stories include Anything Goes, starring Sutton Foster, coming to US cinemas! The filmed London production will stream in theaters across America for two days only this March! Plus, original Broadway cast member Jonathan Freeman will play his final performance as Jafar in Aladdin on Sunday, January 23, 2022.

John Earl Jelks Joins the Cast of BIRTHDAY CANDLES on Broadway


Roundabout Theatre Company has announced complete casting of the New York premiere of Birthday Candles by Noah Haidle, directed by Vivienne Benesch.

BWW Review: PARADISE BLUE strike Gold at Geffen Playhouse


PARADISE BLUE, a play that contains music, begins with the sound of a sublime note issued by a trumpet and concludes, a couple of riveting hours later with an equally beautiful strain…followed by a far more discordant sound.

John Earl Jelks FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is John Earl Jelks next theatre project?

John Earl Jelks's next show will be Birthday Candles which opens on 4/10/2022 on Broadway.

How many Broadway shows has John Earl Jelks been in?

John Earl Jelks has appeared on Broadway in 5 shows.

How many West End shows has John Earl Jelks been in?

John Earl Jelks has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has John Earl Jelks been nominated for?

John Earl Jelks has been nominated for Performance (Obie Awards) for "Sunset Baby" and "Fetch Clay" and for Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play (Tony Awards) for "Radio Golf."

What awards has John Earl Jelks won?

John Earl Jelks has won the Performance Obie Awards for his roles in "Sunset Baby" and "Fetch Clay."

Get John Earl Jelks Email Alerts

Be the first to get news, photos, videos & more.

Videos