On the January 9 episode of LIVE with Kelly, Tony nominee Chris Jackson appeared alongside the host and her guest co-host, Jerry O鈥機onnell.
Born in Illinois, Jackson talked of how he always wanted to make it to New York. 鈥淚 knew I wanted to be in the business. I knew I wanted to be in the arts and acting,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here鈥檚 only one Broadway and that鈥檚 in New York City.鈥�
Jackson originated the role of Benny in In The Heights, Lin-Manuel Miranda鈥檚 first Tony-winning musical. He spoke of his close friendship with his Hamilton creator and co-star. 鈥淲e met in 2002 when he and Tommy Kail had really started to put what became In The Heights together and we were fast friends,鈥� said Jackson. 鈥淎fter that we鈥檝e been inseparable.鈥�
Watch Jackson and Mandy Gonzalez, who played Nina in In The Heights and took over the role of Angelica Schuyler in Broadway鈥檚 Hamilton, reunite in their #Ham4Ham:
Of course, that鈥檚 not new news to theatre fans, but what you may not know is that Jackson not only found his best friend with In The Heights, he also found his wife. 鈥淚t was the only chemistry read I鈥檝e ever done in my entire life, for a reading, not for the actual production,鈥� said Jackson of meeting his wife, Veronica Vazquez-Jackson. 鈥淪he played my love interest in an early iteration of In The Heights.鈥� While she did not continue on to Broadway with the show, she and Jackson continued their relationship. They now have two children.
Jackson earned a Drama Desk Award as part of the Outstanding Ensemble with In The Heights. He has also appeared on Broadway as Simba in The Lion King, Delray in Memphis, Bobby Sturges/Derek Jeter in Bronx Bombers, After Midnight, and Holler If Ya Hear Me. He originated the role of George Washington in Hamilton, for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. Jackson can now be seen as a series regular on CBS鈥� Bull.
