Raúl Eduardo Esparza (born October 24, 1970) is an American actor and singer. Considered one of Broadway's most prominent leading men since the 2000s, he is best known for his Tony Award-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Company and for his television 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.
Raúl Esparza | |
|---|---|
 Esparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods | |
| Born | Raúl Eduardo Esparza October 24, 1970 Wilmington, Delaware, U.S. |
| Alma mater | New York University |
| Occupation(s) | Actor, singer |
| Years active | 1993–present |
| Spouse |
Michelle Perez
(m. 1994; div. 2008) |
| Website | www |
He made his Broadway debut in 2000 as Riff Raff in the revival of The Rocky Horror Show. Subsequently, he starred as Jonathan in the original Off-Broadway production of Tick, Tick... Boom! and Caractacus Potts in the original Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 2005. He received Tony nominations for his roles as Philip Sallon in the Boy George musical Taboo in 2004; Bobby 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. Most recently, he starred in the Off-Broadway productions Road Show and Seared in 2019, and Oliver! in 2023.
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 has sung in concerts across the country.
Early life
editRaúl Esparza was born in Wilmington, Delaware, to Cuban parents, María Elena Cecilia García y Gutiérrez and Raúl Esparza y Rues, who had fled Fidel Castro's regime.[1] While his paternal grandfather had been established in Castro's sugar ministry, his father's family grew disillusioned with the government and, in 1966, his father and grandmother escaped to the U.S. by boat, while his grandfather defected through Spain.[1] Esparza's maternal grandfather had originally moved to Cuba from Figueres, Alt Empordà, Catalonia, Spain.[1]
Esparza was raised in Miami, Florida. He graduated from Belen Jesuit in 1988 and won a Silver Knight Award in Drama that same year.[2] 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.[3]
Esparza participated in the genealogy program Finding Your Roots, during Season 8, Episode 3. He learned during the episode that his Catalan great-great-grandparents founded Garcia de Pou Restaurant Supply Store in Madrid, still owned and operated by members of his family. He also learned that another branch of his family came from the small town of Navata, Girona, Catalonia, Spain, where they can be traced back fourteen generations.[4]
Career
editTheatre
editBroadway theatre
editEsparza 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.[5] 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.[6]
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,[7] for which he received a 2012 Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.[8]
Other theatre
editIn 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.[9] He also appeared as the Arbiter in the Actors Fund of America concert of Tim Rice's Chess in September 2003.[10]
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.[11] 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.[12]
In July 2013, Esparza starred in a production of The Cradle Will Rock at the New York City Center.[13]
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.[14]
In July 2019, Esparza appeared in a production of Road Show at the New York City Center.[15] In October of the same year, Esparza played Harry in the off-Broadway comedy Seared by Theresa Rebeck.[16]
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 honor of the 90th birthday of composer Stephen Sondheim benefiting the charity organization ASTEP (Artists Striving to End Poverty).[17]
In December 2022, Esparza was a guest narrator at Disney's Candlelight Processional at Walt Disney World.[18] In 2023, he starred as Fagin in Oliver! in New York's Encores! two-week run.[19] In 2023, it was announced that he would star in the world premiere of the musical Galileo at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in summer 2024.[20]
Television
editIn 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[21] and The Book of Unholy Mischief by Elle Newmark.[22] 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".[23] In 2010, Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in Wes Craven's My Soul to Take.[24]
From 2013 to 2015, Esparza appeared in the recurring role of Dr. Frederick Chilton in Hannibal.[25] He appeared in the 2016 film Custody, written and directed by James Lapine, as an Administration for Children's Services agent.[26]
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
editIn 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".[27] 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.[28] 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. On February 7, 2018, Esparza left SVU in the episode "The Undiscovered Country" after six seasons on the show.[29][30]
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".[31] He made another guest appearance in Season 22 episode "Sightless in a Savage Land" and in the Season 23 finale, "A Final Call at Forlini's Bar.[32]
Personal life
editEsparza married Michele Marie Perez, his high-school girlfriend, in 1994. They divorced in 2007.[33] Esparza was the subject of a New York Times profile in 2006 in which he revealed that he is bisexual.[34]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway | Himself | Documentary film directed by Dori Berinstein[35] |
| 2006 | Find Me Guilty | Tony Compagna | [36][37] |
| 2010 | My Soul to Take | Abel Plenkov | |
| 2011 | Trouble in the Heights | Nevada Ramirez | |
| 2016 | Custody | Luis Sanjuro | |
| 2017 | Ferdinand | Moreno (voice) |
Television
edit| 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, 2020–2022 |
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit | ADA Rafael Barba | Recurring (Season 14) Main cast (Seasons 15–19) Guest (Seasons 21–23) 119 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 |
| Poetry in America with Elisa New | Himself | Episode: "Finishing the Hat - Stephen Sondheim" | |
| The Good Fight | Bryan Kneef | Episode: "The Gang Is Satirized and Doesn't Like It" | |
| 2021 | Dopesick | Paul Mendelson | Miniseries; 6 episodes |
| Law & Order: Organized Crime | Rafael Barba | Episode: "The Christmas Episode" | |
| 2022 | Candy | Don Crowder | Miniseries |
| 2023 | A Murder at the End of the World | David | Miniseries |
Theater credits
editSelected credits[38]
Awards and nominations
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 4, 2022
- ^ The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen (Forum Press Inc., 1994)
- ^ "Grad Acting Alumnus Raúl Esparza on Shakespeare in the Park". tisch.nyu.edu. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
- ^ "Finding Your Roots | Children of Exile | Season 8 | Episode 3". July 2023.
- ^ Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2008). "'Entourage' Star Bashed For Being Diva". Fox News. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ "Crudup, Esparza, Williams & More to Star in ARCADIA; Begins at Barrymore Theatre on Feb. 25". BroadwayWorld. December 29, 2010.
- ^ Jones, Kenneth (April 26, 2012). "Leap of Faith, With Raúl Esparza at the Musical Pulpit, Opens on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Bacalzo, Dan (April 27, 2012). "2012 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ "Merrily We Roll Along Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12". Playbill. July 12, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Gans, Andrew (September 23, 2003). "DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star Chess". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 25, 2009). "Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open Twelfth Night in Central Park June 25". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ Healy, Patrick. "Raúl Esparza Joins Anyone Can Whistle", The New York Times, March 17, 2010; accessed May 16, 2014.
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (July 11, 2013). "A Tuneful Depression-Era Howl". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (April 25, 2019). "Nominations for the 2019 Drama Desk Awards Announced; Oklahoma!, Tootsie, Rags Parkland Lead the Pack". Playbill.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (June 24, 2019). "Brandon Uranowitz, Raúl Esparza, More Set for Road Show at New York City Center". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ "Seared". Broadway.com. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Candlelight Processional narrators 2022
- ^ "Lionel Bart's Oliver!". New York City Center. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Masseron, Meg. "Raúl Esparza Will Star in World Premiere of Galileo Musical at Berkeley Rep". Playbill. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
- ^ The House of the Scorpion Audiobook. Simon & Schuster. October 21, 2008. ISBN 9780743572477. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "The Book of Unholy Mischief Audiobook". Simon & Schuster. Archived from the original on December 28, 2009. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "Lyrics & Lyricists—Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin". 92Y.org. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ "Wes Craven's 25/8 Becomes My Soul To Take". Collider.com. Archived from the original on November 29, 2010. Retrieved January 25, 2010.
- ^ Cerasaro, Pat (May 2, 2013). "Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved June 12, 2013.
- ^ DeFore, John (April 18, 2016). "'Custody': Tribeca Review". Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW & ORDER: SVU, 10/10". BroadwayWorld. October 2, 2012. Retrieved October 2, 2012.
- ^ "Justin Hartley Joins ABC's 'Revenge', Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On 'Law & Order: SVU'". Deadline Hollywood. July 12, 2013. Retrieved July 17, 2013.
- ^ Abrams, Natalie (February 7, 2018). "Raúl Esparza exits Law & Order: SVU after six seasons". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Levine, Daniel S. (February 6, 2020). "'Law & Order: SVU' Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan-Favorite Cameo". popculture.com. Retrieved February 6, 2019.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (December 28, 2020). "Law & Order: SVU Reveals 'Emotional' Nature of Barba's January Return". TVLine.com. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
- ^ Shewey, Don (July 9, 2007). "Is He Or Isn't He?". The Advocate. donshewey.com.
- ^ Wadler, Joyce (November 26, 2006). "Breaking Character for the First Time in His Life". The New York Times. Retrieved May 16, 2014.
- ^ "ShowBusiness: The Road to Broadway". Turner Classic Movies. United States: Turner Broadcasting System. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Find Me Guilty". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ Rangel, Jesus (August 27, 1988). "All 20 Acquitted in Jersey Mob Case". The New York Times. Retrieved February 17, 2018.
- ^ "Raúl Esparza theatre profile". abouttheartists.com. Retrieved April 26, 2022.
- ^ "Theatre World Awards - Theatre World Awards". theatreworldawards.org. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Drama Desk Awards Announced; Goat, Metamorphoses Tie for Best Play, Millie Scores". Playbill. May 20, 2002. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "02". Obie Awards. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Robb, Cooper. "Andreas, Esparza, Frugé et al. Win Barrymore Awards", theatermania.com, October 29, 2003.
- ^ "2003 Helen Hayes Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. May 6, 2003. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ a b c d "The Tony Award Nominations". tonyawards.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Wicked is Tops at 2004 Drama Desk Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Simonson, Robert (May 14, 2004). "Wife, Wicked, Assassins, Henry IV and Jackman Win 2004 Drama League Awards". Playbill. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "2005 Outer Critics Circle Award winners announced". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Raúl Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 José Ferrer Tespis Award, May 30, 2008, archived from the original on December 17, 2021, retrieved April 18, 2021
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2007 Drama League Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. May 11, 2007. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Cox, Gordon (May 14, 2007). "Outer Critics laud 'Utopia,' 'Spring'". Variety. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Esparza Awards and nominations Broadway", ibdb.com, retrieved February 10, 2018.
- ^ "South Pacific Scores in Outer Critics Circle Awards". Observer. May 12, 2008. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Billy Elliot Leads Winners of 2009 Drama Desk Awards | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. May 17, 2009. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "2009 Drama League Award Nominees Announced". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Billy Elliot and Shrek Top 2009 Outer Critics Circle Nominees". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "2011 Drama League Nominations Announced - Complete List!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Hetrick, Adam. "Leap of Faith's Raul Esparza, Voice Lessons' Laurie Metcalf Among L.A. Ovation Winners", Playbill, November 15, 2011.
- ^ "2012 Drama Desk Award Winners Announced | TheaterMania". theatermania.com. June 4, 2012. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "2012 Drama League Award Winners - Audra McDonald, ONCE, DEATH OF A SALESMAN & More!". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Outer Critics Circle: 2012 Award winners". New York Theater Guide. October 19, 2017. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (June 3, 2019). "Drama Desk Awards Winners List: 'The Ferryman', 'The Prom' Among Top Honorees". Deadline. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "'The Inheritance,' 'Strange Loop,' 'Moulin Rouge' Among Drama Desk Award Winners". Variety. June 14, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Nominations Announced for 86th Annual Drama League Awards". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Moulin Rouge! Tops 2020 Outer Critics Circle Award Honors". Broadway.com. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees". The Lucille Lortel Awards. Archived from the original on October 19, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
External links
edit- Official website
- Raúl Esparza at the Internet Broadway Database
- Raúl Esparza at IMDb
- Raúl Esparza at the Internet Off-Broadway Database
- Video interview in which Esparza discusses his relationship to Catholicism
- Interview in which Esparza discusses his stage and film work