Steve Kazee

{{Infobox person

| name = Steve Kazee

| image = Steve Kazee 2016.png

| caption = Kazee in 2016

| birth_name = Steven Michael Kazee

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1975|10|30}}

| birth_place = Ashland, Kentucky, U.S.

| education = Morehead State University {{small|(BA)}}
New York University {{small|(MFA)}}

| occupation = Actor, singer

| years_active = 2004–present

| partner = Jenna Dewan (2018–present; engaged)

| children = 2

}}

Steven Michael Kazee (born October 30, 1975) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for starring as Guy in the musical Once for which he was awarded the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Kazee began his professional acting career in the mid-2000s, and from 2005 until 2013 acted in a series of Broadway productions including Spamalot, 110 in the Shade, and Once. Following the success of Once, Kazee acted on multiple television series, most notably playing Gus Pfender in the fifth season of Shameless. Kazee returned to theater in 2018, starring as Edward in the Chicago tryout of Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Early life and education

Kazee was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky.[https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2013/october/oliver-stone-honored-at-tisch-gala-october-28.html "Tisch To Honor Oliver Stone At West Coast Benefit Gala"] nyu.edu, October 4, 2013 He is an alumnus of Fairview High School and Morehead State University.[http://www.moreheadstate.edu/News/2017/September/Kazee-to-star-in-Pretty-Woman-Musical?feed=News "Kazee to star in 'Pretty Woman' Musical"]{{Dead link|date=July 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} moreheadstate.edu, September 26, 2017 Kazee moved to New York City in 2002 and received his MFA from the Graduate Acting Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 2005.

Career

= Theatre =

He appeared in the New York Shakespeare Festival's As You Like It in June 2005.Simonson, Robert. [http://www.playbill.com/article/lynn-collins-and-brian-bedford-offer-the-bards-as-you-like-it-in-central-park-june-25-com-126637# "Lynn Collins and Brian Bedford Offer the Bard's 'As You Like It' in Central Park, June 25"], Playbill.com, June 25, 2005 He appeared in Seascape on Broadway in November 2005 as the Leslie understudy.[http://www.playbill.com/production/seascape-booth-theatre-vault-0000001660# " Seascape Cast"] Playbill, retrieved November 23, 2017 In January 2006, he appeared as Timmy Cleary in The Subject Was Roses, which played at the Kennedy Center.Toscano, Michael. [http://www.theatermania.com/new-york-city-theater/reviews/01-2006/the-subject-was-roses_7479.html "Review. 'The Subject Was Roses'"], theatermania.com, January 17, 2006 He was later cast as a replacement for Sir Lancelot in Spamalot on Broadway in April 2006.[http://www.playbill.com/production/spamalot-shubert-theatre-vault-0000010462# " Spamalot Cast"] Playbill, retrieved November 23, 2017. In 2007, he starred as Bill Starbuck in the revival of 110 in the Shade on Broadway,[http://www.broadway.com/buzz/96233/complete-cast-of-110-in-the-shade-at-studio-54-announced "Complete Cast of '100 in the Shade' at Studio 54 Announced"] broadway.com In 2008, he played Sobinsky in

To Be Or Not To Be, which ran from September 16 through November 16 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/15/theater/reviews/15tobe.html|title=Greasepaint Can Be Mightier Than Pen or Sword|date=October 15, 2008|work=The New York Times|access-date=December 2, 2016}}

Kazee starred as Guy in the stage adaptation of Once,[http://broadwayworld.com/article/ONCE-is-Headed-to-Broadways-Bernard-B-Jacobs-Theater-Opens-March-2012-20111206 "'Once' is Headed to Broadway"] broadwayworld.com, December 6, 2011 He originated the role off-Broadway when it opened at the New York Theatre Workshop on December 6, 2011. Once began previews on Broadway on February 28, 2012, and opened on March 18, 2012, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Kazee made several TV appearances promoting Once, including Late Show with David Letterman and Today Show.Jones, Kenneth. [http://www.playbill.com/article/the-leading-men-steve-kazee-the-traveling-heart-of-broadways-once-com-188569# "The Leading Men. Steve Kazee, the Traveling Heart of Broadway's 'Once'"] Playbill.com, March 17, 2012. Kazee won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.Gans, Andrew; Jones, Kenneth; Hetrick, Adam. [http://www.playbill.com/article/2012-tony-awards-nominations-announced-once-earns-11-nominations-com-193103# "2012 Tony Awards Nominations Announced; 'Once' Earns 11 Nominations"] Playbill.com, May 1, 2012, accessed December 2, 2016 Kazee and the cast of Once won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/news/article/once-cast-album-wins-grammy-award-as-best-musical-theater-album-202391|title=Once Cast Album Wins Grammy Award as Best Musical Theater Album – Playbill|date=February 11, 2013|publisher=Playbill|access-date=December 2, 2016}}

He is featured on Christina Perri's song "A Thousand Years, Pt. 2", which appears on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).[https://web.archive.org/web/20160119003438/http://www.mtv.com/news/1697241/christina-perri-thousand-years-part-2-breaking-dawn/ "'Twilight' Twice: Christina Perri Explains 'Thousand Years – Part 2"], mtv.com, November 12, 2012.

In 2017 it was announced that Kazee would star in the stage adaptation of the 1990 film Pretty Woman, opposite Samantha Barks in her Broadway debut. The musical, titled Pretty Woman: The Musical, is directed by Jerry Mitchell and premiered in Chicago in March 2018 and later opened on Broadway in August 2018.[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Samantha-Barks-and-Steve-Kazee-to-Walk-Down-the-Street-in-Broadways-PRETTY-WOMAN-20170926 "Samantha Barks and Steve Kazee to Walk Down the Street in Broadway's Pretty Woman"] broadwayworld.com, September 26, 2017.Clement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/pretty-woman-musical-finds-its-broadway-home-sets-summer-2018-opening# " 'Pretty Woman' Musical Finds Its Broadway Home, Sets Summer 2018 Opening"], Playbill.com, November 21, 2017. After performing as Edward in the Chicago production, Kazee left Pretty Woman: The Musical due to "family reasons."{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/23/theater/andy-karl-pretty-woman-musical.html| title=Andy Karl Joins Cast of 'Pretty Woman' Musical| work=The New York Times | date=May 23, 2018 }} He was replaced by Andy Karl when the production transferred to Broadway.{{Cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/andy-karl-to-star-in-pretty-woman-steve-kazee-departs-broadway-production|title = Andy Karl to Star in Pretty Woman; Steve Kazee Departs Broadway Production|date = May 23, 2018}}

= Television =

In 2006, Kazee played Dumas Shepherd in an episode of the television series Conviction. In 2007, he appeared as Michael Barlow in Medium and Mark Green in Numb3rs.[https://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/steve-kazee/credits/309368 "Kazee TV"], tvguide.com, retrieved November 23, 2017. In 2008, he appeared on NCIS as Michael Locke. In 2009, he played Dominic Humphreys on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Kazee had a starring role on the CMT's Working Class (2011), in which he played Nick Garrett.Peter, Thomas. [http://www.playbill.com/article/ed-asner-and-steve-kazee-to-star-in-cmt-sitcom-com-172760# "Ed Asner and Steve Kazee to Star in CMT Sitcom"], Playbill.com, October 18, 2010.

In 2013 he appeared on Elementary as Jeff HinesGioia, Michael. [http://www.playbill.com/article/tony-winner-steve-kazee-will-guest-star-on-cbs-drama-elementary-com-209437# "Tony Winner Steve Kazee Will Guest Star on CBS Drama 'Elementary'"], Playbill.com, September 12, 2013. and on Drop Dead Diva as Dustin Wycott.[https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/BWW-TV-EXCLUSIVE-First-Look-at-Tony-Winner-Steve-Kazee-on-Lifetimes-DROP-DEAD-DIVA-20131023 "BWW TV Exclusive: First Look at Tony Winner Steve Kazee on Lifetime's 'Drop Dead Diva'"], broadwayworld.com, October 23, 2013. In 2015, he played Gus Pfender in a recurring role in season 5 and 6 of Showtime's series Shameless.Andreeva, Nellie. [https://deadline.com/2014/05/steve-kazee-joins-shameless-showtime-736701 "Steve Kazee Joins Showtime’s 'Shameless'"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220626165945/https://deadline.com/2014/05/steve-kazee-joins-shameless-showtime-736701/ |date=June 26, 2022 }}, deadline.com, May 28, 2014.

Personal life

Kazee was previously in a relationship with actress Megan Hilty from 2005 until 2012.{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=Healy|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/20/theater/theaterspecial/steve-kazee-of-once-knows-about-pain.html?_r=0|title=A Role That Cuts Close to His Heart|website=The New York Times|date=May 16, 2012}}

In October 2018, it was confirmed that Kazee was in a relationship with Jenna Dewan.{{cite web| first=Emily |last=Marcus |title=Who Is Steve Kazee? 5 Things to Know About Jenna Dewan's Boyfriend |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrity-news/news/who-is-steve-kazee-5-things-to-know-about-jenna-dewans-boyfriend/ |work=USWeekly |date=October 30, 2018 }}{{cite web| first=Allyson |last=Koerner |title=Jenna Dewan's Boyfriend Steve Kazee Finally Made His Debut On Her Instagram |url=https://www.bustle.com/p/jenna-dewans-boyfriend-steve-kazee-finally-made-his-debut-on-her-instagram-photo-17973530 |work=Bustle |date=June 5, 2019}} In September 2019, it was announced that the couple were expecting their first child together.{{cite web| first=MIKE |last=VULPO |title=Jenna Dewan Is Pregnant, Expecting First Child With Steve Kazee |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1069788/jenna-dewan-is-pregnant-expecting-first-child-with-steve-kazee |work=Entertainment News|date=September 24, 2019}} In February 2020, he and Dewan became engaged.{{cite web |author= |date=February 18, 2020 |title=Jenna Dewan Engaged to Steve Kazee |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1082839/jenna-dewan-is-engaged-to-steve-kazee |access-date= |website=E! |publisher=}} He and Dewan had their son, Callum Michael Rebel Kazee, on March 6, 2020.{{cite tweet |user=SteveKazee |author-link=Steve Kazee |number=1237454203452190728 |date=March 10, 2020 |title=In an instant our universe burst wide open and nothing would ever be the same. Welcome to earth star child. Callum Michael Rebel Kazee 3/6/20}} In January 2024, it was announced that the couple were expecting their second child together. He and Dewan had their daughter, Rhiannon Lee Kathryn Kazee, on June 14, 2024. {{Cite web |date=January 17, 2024 |title=Jenna Dewan Is Pregnant with Baby No. 3, Her Second with Fiancé Steve Kazee |url=https://people.com/jenna-dewan-is-pregnant-expecting-baby-number-3-8430820 |access-date= |website=People |language=en}}

Theatre credits

Sources: Playbill;[http://www.playbill.com/person/steve-kazee-vault-0000098473# "Steve Kazee Broadway"] Playbill (vault), retrieved November 23, 2017 BroadwayWorld[https://www.broadwayworld.com/people/Steve-Kazee/ "Steve Kazee Credits"] broadwayworld.com, retrieved November 23, 2017

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! Theatre !Notes
rowspan=2\|2004 \|Cabaret & Main \|Performer \| rowspan=2\|Williamstown Theatre Festival \| rowspan=2\|Regional production
Eurydice \|Father
2005 \| As You Like It \|Ensemble \| Delacorte Theater \|Shakespeare in the Park
2005–2006 \| Seascape \| Leslie {{small\|(u/s)}} \| Booth Theatre \|Broadway revival
rowspan=2\|2006 \| The Subject Was Roses \| Timmy Cleary \| Kennedy Center \|Washington, D.C. revival
Monty Python's Spamalot \|Sir Lancelot (and others) \| Shubert Theatre \|Broadway replacement
2007 \| 110 in the Shade \| Bill Starbuck \| Studio 54 \|Broadway revival
2008 \| To Be or Not to Be \| Sobinsky \| Samuel J. Friedman Theatre \|Original Broadway production
rowspan=2\|2009 \|Pirates! (Or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd) \|The Pirate King \|Huntington Theatre Company \|Original Boston production
Tales of the City \| \|Eugene O'Neil Theater \|Staged readings
rowspan=2\|2011–2013 \| rowspan=2\|Once \| rowspan=2\|Guy \|New York Theatre Workshop \|Original off-Broadway production
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre \|Original Broadway production
2018 \| Pretty Woman: The Musical \| Edward \| Oriental Theatre \|Original Chicago production
2018 \|Love Actually Live \|Jaime \|The Wallis \|Original production

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! Theatre

!Notes

rowspan=2|2004

|Cabaret & Main

|Performer

| rowspan=2|Williamstown Theatre Festival

| rowspan=2|Regional production

Eurydice

|Father

2005

| As You Like It

|Ensemble

| Delacorte Theater

|Shakespeare in the Park

2005–2006

| Seascape

| Leslie {{small|(u/s)}}

| Booth Theatre

|Broadway revival

rowspan=2|2006

| The Subject Was Roses

| Timmy Cleary

| Kennedy Center

|Washington, D.C. revival

Monty Python's Spamalot

|Sir Lancelot (and others)

| Shubert Theatre

|Broadway replacement

2007

| 110 in the Shade

| Bill Starbuck

| Studio 54

|Broadway revival

2008

| To Be or Not to Be

| Sobinsky

| Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

|Original Broadway production

rowspan=2|2009

|Pirates! (Or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd)

|The Pirate King

|Huntington Theatre Company

|Original Boston production

Tales of the City

|Eugene O'Neil Theater

|Staged readings

rowspan=2|2011–2013

| rowspan=2|Once

| rowspan=2|Guy

|New York Theatre Workshop

|Original off-Broadway production

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

|Original Broadway production

2018

| Pretty Woman: The Musical

| Edward

| Oriental Theatre

|Original Chicago production

2018

|Love Actually Live

|Jaime

|The Wallis

|Original production

Filmography

= Television =

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" \| Notes
2011 \| Working Class \| Nick Garrett \| Main role
rowspan=2\|2013 \| Elementary \| Jeff Hines \| Episode: "We Are Everyone"
Drop Dead Diva \| Dustin Wycott \| Episode: "Guess Who's Coming"
2015–2016 \| Shameless \| Gus Pfender \| 14 episodes
rowspan=2\|2016 \| NashvilleAndreeva, Nellie. [https://deadline.com/2015/11/nashville-cast-steve-kazee-recurring-1201611069/ " 'Nashville': Steve Kazee Cast As Recurring"] deadline.com, November 6, 2015 \| Riff Bell \| 2 episodes
DrewClement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/steve-kazee-to-star-in-nancy-drew-spinoff# "Steve Kazee to Star in Nancy Drew Spinoff"] Playbill, March 2, 2016 \| Ned Nickerson \| Unsold TV pilot (CBS)
2018 \|Blindspot \|Clem \|2 episodes
rowspan=2\|2019 \|The Walking Dead \|Frank \|Episode: "Omega"
Tempting Fate \|Elliott Cartwright \|TV movie
2021 \|The Rookie \| Jason Wyler \| 5 episodes

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Title

! Role

! class="unsortable" | Notes

2011

| Working Class

| Nick Garrett

| Main role

rowspan=2|2013

| Elementary

| Jeff Hines

| Episode: "We Are Everyone"

Drop Dead Diva

| Dustin Wycott

| Episode: "Guess Who's Coming"

2015–2016

| Shameless

| Gus Pfender

| 14 episodes

rowspan=2|2016

| NashvilleAndreeva, Nellie. [https://deadline.com/2015/11/nashville-cast-steve-kazee-recurring-1201611069/ " 'Nashville': Steve Kazee Cast As Recurring"] deadline.com, November 6, 2015

| Riff Bell

| 2 episodes

DrewClement, Olivia. [http://www.playbill.com/article/steve-kazee-to-star-in-nancy-drew-spinoff# "Steve Kazee to Star in Nancy Drew Spinoff"] Playbill, March 2, 2016

| Ned Nickerson

| Unsold TV pilot (CBS)

2018

|Blindspot

|Clem

|2 episodes

rowspan=2|2019

|The Walking Dead

|Frank

|Episode: "Omega"

Tempting Fate

|Elliott Cartwright

|TV movie

2021

|The Rookie

| Jason Wyler

| 5 episodes

Awards and nominations

Sources: Playbill; IBDB[https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/steve-kazee-407614#awards "Kazee Awards"] ibdb.com, retrieved November 23, 2017

class="wikitable sortable"
Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result
2007 \| Helen Hayes Award \| Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production \| The Subject Was Roses \| {{nom}}
rowspan=3\| 2012 \| Tony Award \| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical \| rowspan=4\|Once \| {{won}}
Drama League Award \| Distinguished Performance \| rowspan=2 {{nom}}
Outer Critics Circle Award \| Outstanding Actor in a Musical[https://www.broadway.com/buzz/awards/tony-awards/nominees/255/steve-kazee/ "Steve Kazee — Nominee for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical"] broadway.com, retrieved November 23, 2017
2013 \| Grammy Award \| Best Musical Theater Album (shared with Cristin Milioti, Steven Epstein, Martin Lowe, Glen Hansard, and Markéta Irglová) \| {{won}}

class="wikitable sortable"

Year

! Award

! Category

! Work

! Result

2007

| Helen Hayes Award

| Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production

| The Subject Was Roses

| {{nom}}

rowspan=3| 2012

| Tony Award

| Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical

| rowspan=4|Once

| {{won}}

Drama League Award

| Distinguished Performance

| rowspan=2 {{nom}}

Outer Critics Circle Award

| Outstanding Actor in a Musical[https://www.broadway.com/buzz/awards/tony-awards/nominees/255/steve-kazee/ "Steve Kazee — Nominee for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical"] broadway.com, retrieved November 23, 2017

2013

| Grammy Award

| Best Musical Theater Album
(shared with Cristin Milioti, Steven Epstein, Martin Lowe, Glen Hansard, and Markéta Irglová)

| {{won}}

References

External links

{{IMDb name}}
{{IBDB name}}
{{Playbill person|steve-kazee-vault-0000098473}} ([https://web.archive.org/web/20120110052418/http://www.playbillvault.com/Person/Detail/98473/Steve-Kazee archive])
{{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106220402/http://www.stevekazee.com/ |title=Official website |date=mdy}}

Category:1975 births

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Kentucky

Category:American male television actors

Category:American male musical theatre actors

Category:Grammy Award winners

Category:Morehead State University alumni

Category:Musicians from Ashland, Kentucky

Category:Tony Award winners

Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni

Category:Singers from Kentucky