Christopher Jackson

Jackson began his stage career in 1995, starring in the Off-Broadway musical Time and the Wind by Galt MacDermot. He made his Broadway debut in 1997 as an ensemble member and understudy for Simba in the original Broadway cast of The Lion King. He took over the role of Simba in 2000.

Jackson subsequently worked in the theater scenes of Chicago and Minneapolis–Saint Paul. In 2004, he received a BATC Award nomination for Best Actor for Beggar's Holiday. He won a Joseph Jefferson Award in 2006 for Comfortable Shoes.

In 2007, Jackson returned to New York to join the Off-Broadway cast of In the Heights as Benny. The cast won the 2007 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Performance. He continued with the production when it transferred to Broadway in 2008.

In 2009, Jackson wrote music for the revived children's television program The Electric Company. He returned to Broadway in 2012 as Delray in Memphis. In 2013, he replaced Everett Bradley as "Diga Diga Doo" in the Broadway musical After Midnight. That same year, he appeared as Derek Jeter and Bobby Sturges in Eric Simonson's Off-Broadway play Bronx Bombers at Primary Stages, remaining with the production when it transferred to Broadway in 2014. Also in 2014, he portrayed Vertus in the Broadway musical Holler If Ya Hear Me.

In 2015, Jackson originated the role of President George Washington in the Broadway musical Hamilton. He was nominated for a Tony Award for the role and concluded his run on November 13, 2016.

Beginning with the 2016–2017 season, Jackson played Chunk Palmer in the CBS courtroom drama Bull, remaining with the series until its conclusion. His film and television credits also include Moana, Tracers, The Good Wife, Person of Interest, A Gifted Man, and Nurse Jackie. He is also a member of the hip-hop group Freestyle Love Supreme.

Jackson has received three Emmy Award nominations for composing music and lyrics for television. In 2011, he won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Song for "What I Am," which he co-wrote with Bill Sherman for Sesame Street. Following the success of his television songwriting work, he received a first-look deal at CBS Studios.

In February 2021, Jackson signed with Nickelodeon to compose the NOGGIN SVOD original series Rhymes Through Times. The series features Nickelodeon's preschool characters in a Broadway-style production centered on American heroes and Black history. The second season was released on March 7, 2022.

From June through November 2025, Jackson returned to Broadway as Davis in Hell's Kitchen. He rejoined the Broadway cast of Hamilton as President George Washington from September 8, 2026, and will play through January 3, 2027.