Raúl Esparza

Raúl Esparza
Raúl Esparza SDCC 2014.jpg
Born
Raúl Eduardo Esparza

(1970-10-24) October 24, 1970 (age 50)
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Spouse(s)
Michelle Perez
(m. 1994; div. 2008)
Websitewww.raulesparza.com Edit this at Wikidata

Raúl Eduardo Esparza (born October 24, 1970) is an American stage, television and voice actor, best known for his role as New York Assistant District Attorney (ADA) Rafael Barba in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit where he had a recurring role in Season 14 and was promoted to a series regular in Seasons 15 to 19. He received Tony nominations for his roles as Philip Salon in the Boy George musical Taboo in 2004; Robert in the musical comedy Company in 2006; Lenny in Harold Pinter's play The Homecoming in 2008; and Charlie Fox in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow in 2009. He played Riff Raff in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show and Caractacus Potts in the original Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2005.

Esparza has been nominated in all Tony categories for which an actor is eligible. He is widely regarded for his versatility on stage, having performed musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Stephen Sondheim, Kander and Ebb, Boy George, the Sherman Brothers and in plays by Mamet, Pinter, William Shakespeare, Tom Stoppard, and more. His film work includes Sidney Lumet's Find Me Guilty and Wes Craven's My Soul to Take, and his television credits include roles on The Path, Medium, Hannibal and Pushing Daisies. He narrated the audiobook for Stephen King's Under the Dome as well as several others, and he sings in concerts across the country.

Early life

Born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Cuban parents and raised in Miami, Florida, Esparza graduated from Belen Jesuit in 1988 and won a Silver Knight Award in Drama that same year.[1] In 1992, Esparza received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and a Bachelor's degree in English from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.[2]

Career

Theatre

Broadway theatre

Esparza first drew attention with his performance in the 2000 Broadway revival of The Rocky Horror Show, which won him the Theatre World Award. Esparza's other Broadway credits include Cabaret (2001), Taboo (2003), Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (2005), and Sondheim's Company (2006). He received a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical and a Drama Desk Award for his performance in Taboo. His performance in Company earned him a second Tony nomination, this time for Best Actor in a Musical, as well as his second Drama Desk award. Beginning in November 2007, he appeared in Harold Pinter's play The Homecoming and was Tony-nominated for Best Featured Actor in a Play. In 2008, he played Charlie Fox in the revival of David Mamet's Speed-the-Plow co-starring Jeremy Piven and Elisabeth Moss on Broadway.[3] His performance in Speed-the-Plow earned him a Tony nomination for Best Actor in a Play, making him the second performer (after Boyd Gaines) to be nominated in all four acting categories a performer is eligible for at the Tonys, although he has yet to win one.

Esparza appeared in a limited-engagement revival of Tom Stoppard's Arcadia, which began previews at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on February 25, 2011, and opened on March 17, 2011.[4]

Esparza appeared in the musical Leap of Faith in the role of the "Reverend" Jonas Nightingale. He was involved in the workshop in 2008, the out-of-town tryout at the Ahmanson Theatre (Los Angeles) in 2010, and the Broadway production in 2012,[5] for which he received a 2012 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.[6]

Other theatre

In 1999, Esparza played Che in the national tour of Evita, opposite Natalie Toro. The tour was intended to open on Broadway, but failed to do so. In 2001, he appeared Off-Broadway in tick, tick... BOOM! by Jonathan Larson, garnering a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He appeared in two musicals by Stephen Sondheim, Sunday in the Park with George and Merrily We Roll Along at the 2002 Kennedy Center Sondheim Celebration.[7] He also appeared as the Arbiter in the Actors Fund of America concert of Tim Rice's Chess in September 2003.[8]

In 2009, Esparza starred in a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at the Delacorte Theater (New York) with Anne Hathaway, from June 25 through July 12.[9] He starred as Hapgood in the City Center Encores! staged concert production of Anyone Can Whistle from April 8 to 11, 2010, opposite Sutton Foster as Fay and Donna Murphy as the Mayoress.[10]

In July 2013, Esparza starred in a production of The Cradle Will Rock at the New York City Center.[11]

In February 2018, Esparza played Freddie Trumper in the Kennedy Center's revival of Tim Rice's Chess. From October to December 2018, Esparza played the title role in Classic Stage Company's Off-Broadway production of The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui. He was nominated for the 2019 Drama Desk Award for Best Actor for the role.[12]

In July 2019, Esparza appeared in a production of Road Show at the New York City Center.[13] In October of the same year, Esparza played Harry in the off-Broadway comedy Seared by Theresa Rebeck.[14]

In April 2020 he was a host, executive producer, and performer in Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Celebration, a virtual concert in honour of the 90th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim benefiting the charity organisation ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty).[15]

Television

In 2007, Esparza had a recurring role on the TV show Pushing Daisies as traveling salesman Alfredo Aldarisio, a role originally given to Paul Reubens. In 2009, Esparza recorded the audiobook Under the Dome by Stephen King. He has done narration for The House of the Scorpion by Nancy Farmer[16] and The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark.[17] In January 2010, Esparza performed opposite Lucie Arnaz, Desi Arnaz Jr., and Valarie Pettiford at the 92Y's Lyrics and Lyricist event honoring Desi Arnaz and his orchestra, "Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin".[18] In 2010, Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in Wes Craven's My Soul to Take.[19]

From 2013 to 2015, Esparza appeared in the recurring role of Dr. Frederick Chilton in Hannibal.[20] He appeared in the 2016 film Custody, written and directed by James Lapine, as an Administration for Children's Services agent.[21]

Law & Order: SVU

In 2012, Esparza became a recurring actor on the long-running NBC drama series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Rafael Barba, starting in the third episode of the show's 14th season, "Twenty-Five Acts".[22] He appeared in 11 episodes of the show's 14th season. On July 17, 2013, he was promoted to series regular for the show's 15th season.[23] His character became the first series-regular ADA since Stephanie March in the 11th season and the first regular male ADA in series history. His role on SVU was not his first Law & Order role, however, as he had previously portrayed an ADA in a 2009 episode of Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and a suspect in a 2010 episode of the original Law & Order.[24][25] On February 7, 2018, Esparza left SVU in the episode "The Undiscovered Country” after six seasons on the show.[26][27]

Although having left the series to return to the stage, Esparza has been back on the show, making a very brief cameo before the main title in the Season 21 episode "Redemption in Her Corner".[28] He made another guest appearance in Season 22 episode "Sightless in a Savage Land".[29]

Personal life

Esparza married Michele Marie Perez, his high-school girlfriend, in 1994. They divorced in 2008.[30] Esparza was the subject of a New York Times profile in 2006 in which he revealed that he is bisexual.[31]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2005 ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway Himself Documentary film directed by Dori Berinstein [32]
2006 Find Me Guilty Tony Compagna [33][34]
2010 My Soul to Take Abel Plenkov
2011 Trouble in the Heights Nevada Ramirez
2016 Custody Luis Sanjuro
2017 Ferdinand Moreno (voice)

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Spin City Reporter Episode: "In the Heat of the Day"
2007 Pushing Daisies Alfredo Aldarisio 2 episodes
2009 Law & Order: Criminal Intent ADA Kevin Mulrooney Episode: "Lady's Man"
2010 Law & Order Dennis Di Palma Episode: "Blackmail"
Medium David Ostrowski Episode: "Blood on the Tracks"
2011 A Gifted Man Phillip Romero 2 episodes
2012–2018, 2020 & 2021 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit ADA Rafael Barba Recurring (Season 14)
Main cast (Seasons 15–19)
Guest (Seasons 21 & 22)
117 episodes
2012 666 Park Avenue Phillip Perez Episode: "Hypnos"
2013–2015 Hannibal Dr. Frederick Chilton 12 episodes
2014 Dora and Friends: Into the City! Big Bad Wolf (voice) Episode: "Puppet Theater"
2016–2018 BoJack Horseman Ralph Stilton (voice) 8 episodes
2018 The Path Jackson Neill 6 episodes
2020 Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Celebration Himself (host) TV special
The Good Fight Bryan Kneef Episode: "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It"

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Theatre World Award The Rocky Horror Show Honouree [35]
2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical tick, tick...BOOM! Nominated [36]
Obie Award Performance Won [37]
2003 Barrymore Award Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical Green Violin Won [38]
Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated [39]
2004 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Taboo Nominated [40]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won [41]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Taboo and The Normal Heart Nominated [42]
2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Nominated [43]
HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award Won [44]
2006 Cincinnati Entertainment Award Outstanding Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor Company Won [citation needed]
Enquirer Acclaim Award Outstanding Musical Lead Performance Won [citation needed]
2007 Tony Award Best Actor in a Musical Nominated [40]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [45]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [46]
Outer Circle Critics Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [47]
2008 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Play The Homecoming Nominated [40]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance Won [48]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Nominated [49]
2009 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Speed-the-Plow Nominated [40]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [50]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [51]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [52]
2011 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Arcadia Nominated [53]
Ovation Award Lead Actor in a Musical Leap of Faith Won [54]
2012 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [55]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [56]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [57]
2019 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Nominated [58]
2020 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Seared Nominated [59]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [60]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Honouree [61]
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play Nominated [62]

References

  1. ^ The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen (Forum Press Inc., 1994)
  2. ^ "Grad Acting Alumnus Raúl Esparza on Shakespeare in the Park". tisch.nyu.edu. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  3. ^ Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2008). "'Entourage' Star Bashed For Being Diva". Fox News. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Crudup, Esparza, Williams & More to Star in ARCADIA; Begins at Barrymore Theatre on Feb. 25". BroadwayWorld. December 29, 2010.
  5. ^ Jones, Kenneth (April 26, 2012). "Leap of Faith, With Raúl Esparza at the Musical Pulpit, Opens on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  6. ^ Bacalzo, Dan (April 27, 2012). "2012 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  7. ^ "Merrily We Roll Along Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12". Playbill. July 12, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 23, 2003). "DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star Chess". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 25, 2009). "Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open Twelfth Night in Central Park June 25". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Healy, Patrick. "Raúl Esparza Joins Anyone Can Whistle", The New York Times, March 17, 2010; accessed May 16, 2014.
  11. ^ Isherwood, Charles (July 11, 2013). "A Tuneful Depression-Era Howl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  12. ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 25, 2019). "Nominations for the 2019 Drama Desk Awards Announced; Oklahoma!, Tootsie, Rags Parkland Lead the Pack". Playbill.
  13. ^ McPhee, Ryan (June 24, 2019). "Brandon Uranowitz, Raúl Esparza, More Set for Road Show at New York City Center". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  14. ^ "Seared". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  15. ^ Sullivan, Lindsey (April 26, 2020). "Tonight! Spot the Slew of Stars Slated for Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration". Broadway.com. Retrieved July 28, 2020.
  16. ^ "The House of the Scorpion Audiobook". Simon & Schuster. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  17. ^ "The Book Of Unholy Mischief Audiobook". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  18. ^ "Lyrics & Lyricists—Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin". 92Y.org. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  19. ^ "Wes Craven's 25/8 Becomes My Soul To Take". Collider.com. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
  20. ^ Cerasaro, Pat (May 2, 2013). "Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
  21. ^ DeFore, John (April 18, 2016). "'Custody': Tribeca Review". Hollywood Reporter.
  22. ^ "Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW & ORDER: SVU, 10/10". BroadwayWorld. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
  23. ^ "Justin Hartley Joins ABC's 'Revenge', Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On 'Law & Order: SVU'". Deadline Hollywood. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
  24. ^ "Lady's Man". Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Season 8. Episode 11. New York City: NBCUniversal. June 28, 2009. NBC.
  25. ^ "Blackmail". Law & Order. Season 20. Episode 12. New York City: NBCUniversal. January 15, 2010. NBC.
  26. ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 7, 2018). "Raúl Esparza exits Law & Order: SVU after six seasons". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  27. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (February 7, 2018). "Raul Esparza Exits 'Law & Order: SVU'; 'Chicago Justice' Vet Promoted To Series Regular". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved February 16, 2018.
  28. ^ Levine, Daniel S. (February 6, 2020). "'Law & Order: SVU' Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan-Favorite Cameo". popculture.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
  29. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 28, 2020). "Law & Order: SVU Reveals 'Emotional' Nature of Barba's January Return". TVLine.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  30. ^ Shewey, Don (July 9, 2007). "Is He Or Isn't He?". The Advocate. donshewey.com.
  31. ^ Wadler, Joyce (November 26, 2006). "Breaking Character for the First Time in His Life". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
  32. ^ "ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway". Turner Classic Movies. United States: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  33. ^ "Find Me Guilty". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  34. ^ Rangel, Jesus (August 27, 1988). "All 20 Acquitted in Jersey Mob Case". The New York Times. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
  35. ^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". www.theatreworldawards.org. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  36. ^ "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. May 20, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  37. ^ "02". Obie Awards. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  38. ^ Robb, Cooper. "Andreas, Esparza, Frugé et al. Win Barrymore Awards", theatermania.com, October 29, 2003.
  39. ^ "2003 Helen Hayes Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  40. ^ a b c d "The Tony Award Nominations". www.tonyawards.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  41. ^ "Wicked is Tops at 2004 Drama Desk Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  42. ^ Simonson, Robert (May 14, 2004). "Wife, Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  43. ^ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  44. ^ Raúl Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 José Ferrer Tespis Award, retrieved April 18, 2021
  45. ^ Gelder, Lawrence Van (May 21, 2007). "'Coast of Utopia,' 'Spring Awakening' Honored at Drama Desk Awards". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  46. ^ "2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  47. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 14, 2007). "Outer Critics laud 'Utopia,' 'Spring'". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  48. ^ Esparza Awards and nominations Broadway", ibdb.com, retrieved February 10, 2018.
  49. ^ "South Pacific Scores in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Observer. May 12, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  50. ^ "Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  51. ^ "2009 Drama League Award Nominees Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  52. ^ "Billy Elliot and Shrek Top 2009 Outer Critics Circle Nominees". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  53. ^ "2011 Drama League Nominations Announced - Complete List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  54. ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Leap of Faith's Raul Esparza, Voice Lessons' Laurie Metcalf Among L.A. Ovation Winners", Playbill, November 15, 2011.
  55. ^ "2012 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". www.theatermania.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  56. ^ "2012 Drama League Award Winners - Audra McDonald, ONCE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN & More!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  57. ^ "Outer Critics Circle: 2012 Award winners". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  58. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 3, 2019). "Drama Desk Awards Winners List: 'The Ferryman', 'The Prom' Among Top Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  59. ^ "'The Inheritance,' 'Strange Loop,' 'Moulin Rouge' Among Drama Desk Award Winners". Variety. June 14, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  60. ^ "Nominations Announced for 86th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  61. ^ "Moulin Rouge! Tops 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honors". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  62. ^ "2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees". The Lucille Lortel Awards. Retrieved April 18, 2021.

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