Matthew Morrison Biography

Summary

"Matthew James Morrison" (born October 30, 1978) is an American musical theater actor. After attending theater camp as a child, he decided that he wanted to become an actor. He was educated at New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. Being a member of boy bands like LMNT and Fresh Step, he made his musical theater transition into similarly styled shows.

He had minor roles in "Footloose" as well as the revival of the "Rocky Horror Show", but his big break came when he landed the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of John Waters' "Hairspray". After performing in the role for some time, he began auditioning in LA, guest starring on shows such as "Hack" and "Sex and the City" as well as having small roles in "Marci X", "Encino Man", "Primary Colors", and "Simply Funk". He followed up by performing the role of Sir Harry in the ABC production of "Once Upon a Mattress".

Morrison recently changed gears, playing the role of Fabrizio Nacarelli in Adam Guettel's operatic "The Light in the Piazza". Playing the role of a young Italian man desperately in love, Matt was nominated for a Tony Award. His run with the show ended on August 28, 2005.

Morrison joined the cast of the CBS soap opera "As the World Turns" as Adam Munson on October 24, 2006, but left abruptly soon after due to a 'scheduling conflict,' last airing on the soap on November 27.

Morrison appeared in a benefit performance celebrating Andrew Lippa, and the 25th Anniversary of the internationally renowned performing troupe 'The Kids Next Door' at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa in Dec. 2006 (alongside other 'KND' alumni Stephanie J. Block, Terron Brooks, Kamilah Martin, Jessica Burrows and others). The performance benefited The California Conservatory of the Arts, a non-profit arts education organization focusing on pre-professional training for young students, grades six through twelve, in Orange County, CA.

Morrison also played the role of 'Ray' in the film 'Music and Lyrics,' which premiered Feb. 14, 2007. He was engaged to actress Chrishell Stause, who plays Amanda Dillon on ABC's All My Children.

His next role is as the character Jim in the upcoming FOX television series "The Oaks".