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Changing short description from "American actor" to "American actor (born 1970)"
 
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{{short description|American actor}}
{{Short description|American actor (born 1970)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2023}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Raúl Esparza
| name = Raúl Esparza
| image = RaulEsparza.jpg
| image = RaulEsparza.jpg
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption = Esparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of ''[[Into The Woods]]''
| caption = Esparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of ''[[Into the Woods]]''
| birth_name = Raúl Eduardo Esparza
| birth_name = Raúl Eduardo Esparza
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|10|24}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1970|10|24}}
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| website = {{Official URL}}
| website = {{Official URL}}
}}
}}
'''Raúl Eduardo Esparza''' (born October 24, 1970) is an American actor and singer. Considered one of Broadway's most prominent [[Leading man|leading men]] since the 2000s, he is best known for his [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Tony Award]]-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of [[Company (musical)|''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 Eduardo Esparza''' (born October 24, 1970) is an American actor. Considered one of Broadway's most prominent [[Leading man|leading men]] since the 2000s, he is best known for his [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical|Tony Award]]-nominated performance as Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of [[Company (musical)|''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.


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 (musical)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' in 2005. He received [[Tony Awards|Tony]] nominations for his roles as Philip Sallon in the [[Boy George]] musical ''[[Taboo (musical)|Taboo]]'' in 2004; Bobby in the musical comedy ''[[Company (musical)|Company]]'' in 2006; Lenny in [[Harold Pinter]]'s play ''[[The Homecoming]]'' in 2008; and Charlie Fox in [[David Mamet]]'s play ''[[Speed the Plow|Speed-the-Plow]]'' in 2009. Most recently, he starred in the Off-Broadway production [[Seared (play)|''Seared'']] in 2019.
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 (musical)|Chitty Chitty Bang Bang]]'' in 2005. He received [[Tony Awards|Tony]] nominations for his roles as Philip Sallon in the [[Boy George]] musical ''[[Taboo (musical)|Taboo]]'' in 2004; Bobby in the musical comedy ''[[Company (musical)|Company]]'' in 2006; Lenny in [[Harold Pinter]]'s play ''[[The Homecoming]]'' in 2008; and Charlie Fox in [[David Mamet]]'s play ''[[Speed the Plow|Speed-the-Plow]]'' in 2009. Most recently, he starred in the Off-Broadway productions [[Road Show (musical)|''Road Show'']] and [[Seared (play)|''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.
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.
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====Other theatre====
====Other theatre====
In 1999, Esparza played Che in the national tour of ''[[Evita (musical)|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 (musical)|Merrily We Roll Along]]'' at the 2002 [[Kennedy Center]] Sondheim Celebration.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2002|title=''Merrily We Roll Along'' Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/merrily-we-roll-along-begins-kennedy-center-previews-july-12-com-107020|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> He also appeared as the Arbiter in the [[Actors Fund|Actors Fund of America]] concert of [[Sir Tim Rice|Tim Rice]]'s ''[[Chess (musical)|Chess]]'' in September 2003.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=September 23, 2003|title=DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star ''Chess''|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-special-julia-and-josh-dazzle-in-all-star-chess-com-115371|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref>
In 1999, Esparza played Che in the national tour of ''[[Evita (musical)|Evita]]'', opposite [[Natalie Toro (actress)|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 (musical)|Merrily We Roll Along]]'' at the 2002 [[Kennedy Center]] Sondheim Celebration.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2002|title=''Merrily We Roll Along'' Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/merrily-we-roll-along-begins-kennedy-center-previews-july-12-com-107020|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> He also appeared as the Arbiter in the [[Actors Fund|Actors Fund of America]] concert of [[Sir Tim Rice|Tim Rice]]'s ''[[Chess (musical)|Chess]]'' in September 2003.<ref>{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|date=September 23, 2003|title=DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star ''Chess''|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-special-julia-and-josh-dazzle-in-all-star-chess-com-115371|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=June 25, 2009|title=Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open ''Twelfth Night'' in Central Park June 25|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/hathaway-mcdonald-white-and-esparza-open-twelfth-night-in-central-park-june-25-com-162165|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> 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.<ref>Healy, Patrick. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/theater/18arts-RALESPARZAJO_BRF.html "Raúl Esparza Joins ''Anyone Can Whistle''"], ''The New York Times'', March 17, 2010; accessed May 16, 2014.</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hetrick|first=Adam|date=June 25, 2009|title=Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open ''Twelfth Night'' in Central Park June 25|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/hathaway-mcdonald-white-and-esparza-open-twelfth-night-in-central-park-june-25-com-162165|access-date=January 1, 2021|website=Playbill}}</ref> 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.<ref>Healy, Patrick. [https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/18/theater/18arts-RALESPARZAJO_BRF.html "Raúl Esparza Joins ''Anyone Can Whistle''"], ''The New York Times'', March 17, 2010; accessed May 16, 2014.</ref>
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In July 2019, Esparza appeared in a production of ''[[Road Show (musical)|Road Show]]'' at the New York City Center.<ref>{{cite web|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|date=June 24, 2019|title=Brandon Uranowitz, Raúl Esparza, More Set for ''Road Show'' at New York City Center|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/brandon-uranowitz-raul-esparza-more-set-for-road-show-at-new-york-city-center|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> In October of the same year, Esparza played Harry in the off-Broadway comedy ''[[Seared (play)|Seared]]'' by Theresa Rebeck.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seared|url=https://www.broadway.com/shows/seared/|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref>
In July 2019, Esparza appeared in a production of ''[[Road Show (musical)|Road Show]]'' at the New York City Center.<ref>{{cite web|last=McPhee|first=Ryan|date=June 24, 2019|title=Brandon Uranowitz, Raúl Esparza, More Set for ''Road Show'' at New York City Center|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/brandon-uranowitz-raul-esparza-more-set-for-road-show-at-new-york-city-center|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Playbill|language=en}}</ref> In October of the same year, Esparza played Harry in the off-Broadway comedy ''[[Seared (play)|Seared]]'' by Theresa Rebeck.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seared|url=https://www.broadway.com/shows/seared/|access-date=2021-01-01|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref>


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).<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Lindsey|date=April 26, 2020|title=Tonight! Spot the Slew of Stars Slated for ''Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration''|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/199172/tonight-spot-the-slew-of-stars-slated-for-take-me-to-the-world-a-sondheim-90th-birthday-celebration/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref>
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).<ref>{{cite web|last=Sullivan|first=Lindsey|date=April 26, 2020|title=Tonight! Spot the Slew of Stars Slated for ''Take Me to the World: A Sondheim 90th Birthday Celebration''|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/199172/tonight-spot-the-slew-of-stars-slated-for-take-me-to-the-world-a-sondheim-90th-birthday-celebration/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Broadway.com|language=en}}</ref>


In December 2022, Esparza was a guest narrator at [[Disney's Candlelight Processional]] at [[Walt Disney World]].<ref>[https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/epcot/candlelight-processional/ Candlelight Processional narrators 2022]</ref>
In December 2022, Esparza was a guest narrator at [[Disney's Candlelight Processional]] at [[Walt Disney World]].<ref>[https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/entertainment/epcot/candlelight-processional/ Candlelight Processional narrators 2022]</ref> In 2023, he starred as Fagin in ''[[Oliver!]]'' in New York's [[Encores!]] two-week run.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lionel Bart's Oliver! |url=https://www.nycitycenter.org/pdps/2022-2023/oliver/ |website=New York City Center |access-date=8 January 2024}}</ref> In 2023, it was announced that he would star in the world premiere of the musical ''Galileo'' at [[Berkeley Repertory Theatre]] in summer 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Masseron |first1=Meg |title=Raúl Esparza Will Star in World Premiere of Galileo Musical at Berkeley Rep |url=https://playbill.com/article/raul-esparza-will-star-in-world-premiere-of-galileo-musical-at-berkeley-rep |website=Playbill |access-date=6 December 2023}}</ref>


===Television===
===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 (novel)|Under the Dome]]'' by [[Stephen King]]. He has done narration for ''[[The House of the Scorpion]]'' by [[Nancy Farmer (author)|Nancy Farmer]]<ref>{{cite book|title=The House of the Scorpion Audiobook|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/House-of-the-Scorpion/Nancy-Farmer/9780743572477|access-date=January 25, 2010|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|date=October 21, 2008|isbn=9780743572477}}</ref> and ''The Book of Unholy Mischief'' by Elle Newmark.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Book of Unholy Mischief Audiobook|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Book-of-Unholy-Mischief/Elle-Newmark/9780743578035|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228104751/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Book-of-Unholy-Mischief/Elle-Newmark/9780743578035|archive-date=December 28, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2010|website=[[Simon & Schuster]]|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid=T%2DTC5LL11|title=Lyrics & Lyricists—Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin|work=92Y.org|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> In 2010, Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in [[Wes Craven]]'s ''[[My Soul to Take]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collider.com/2009/10/19/wes-cravens-258-becomes-my-soul-to-take|title=Wes Craven's 25/8 Becomes My Soul To Take|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref>
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 (novel)|Under the Dome]]'' by [[Stephen King]]. He has done narration for ''[[The House of the Scorpion]]'' by [[Nancy Farmer (author)|Nancy Farmer]]<ref>{{cite book|title=The House of the Scorpion Audiobook|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/House-of-the-Scorpion/Nancy-Farmer/9780743572477|access-date=January 25, 2010|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|date=October 21, 2008|isbn=9780743572477}}</ref> and ''The Book of Unholy Mischief'' by Elle Newmark.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Book of Unholy Mischief Audiobook|url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Book-of-Unholy-Mischief/Elle-Newmark/9780743578035|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091228104751/http://books.simonandschuster.com/Book-of-Unholy-Mischief/Elle-Newmark/9780743578035|archive-date=December 28, 2009|access-date=January 25, 2010|website=[[Simon & Schuster]]|df=mdy-all}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.92y.org/shop/event_detail.asp?productid=T%2DTC5LL11|title=Lyrics & Lyricists—Babalu: The American Songbook Goes Latin|work=92Y.org|access-date=January 25, 2010}}</ref> In 2010, Esparza appeared as Abel Plenkov in [[Wes Craven]]'s ''[[My Soul to Take]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.collider.com/2009/10/19/wes-cravens-258-becomes-my-soul-to-take|title=Wes Craven's 25/8 Becomes My Soul To Take|publisher=Collider.com|access-date=January 25, 2010|archive-date=November 29, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129193819/http://www.collider.com/2009/10/19/wes-cravens-258-becomes-my-soul-to-take|url-status=dead}}</ref>


From 2013 to 2015, Esparza appeared in the recurring role of [[Frederick Chilton|Dr. Frederick Chilton]] in ''[[Hannibal (TV series)|Hannibal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cerasaro|first=Pat|date=May 2, 2013|title=Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Raul-Esparza-Makes-Debut-On-HANNIBAL-Tonight-20130502|access-date=June 12, 2013|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> He appeared in the 2016 film ''Custody'', written and directed by [[James Lapine]], as an Administration for Children's Services agent.<ref>DeFore, John (April 18, 2016). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/custody-tribeca-review-884743 "'Custody': Tribeca Review"]. ''Hollywood Reporter''.</ref>
From 2013 to 2015, Esparza appeared in the recurring role of [[Frederick Chilton|Dr. Frederick Chilton]] in ''[[Hannibal (TV series)|Hannibal]]''.<ref>{{cite web|last=Cerasaro|first=Pat|date=May 2, 2013|title=Raul Esparza Makes Debut on HANNIBAL tonight|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Raul-Esparza-Makes-Debut-On-HANNIBAL-Tonight-20130502|access-date=June 12, 2013|website=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> He appeared in the 2016 film ''Custody'', written and directed by [[James Lapine]], as an Administration for Children's Services agent.<ref>DeFore, John (April 18, 2016). [https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/custody-tribeca-review-884743 "'Custody': Tribeca Review"]. ''Hollywood Reporter''.</ref>


====''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''====
====''Law & Order: Special Victims Unit''====
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 (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)|Twenty-Five Acts]]".<ref>{{cite web|date=October 2, 2012|title=Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW & ORDER: SVU, 10/10|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Raul-Esparza-Set-to-Appear-on-LAW-ORDER-SVU-1010-20121002|access-date=October 2, 2012|work=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2013|title=Justin Hartley Joins ABC's 'Revenge', Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On 'Law & Order: SVU'|url=https://www.deadline.com/2013/07/justin-hartley-revenge-abc/|access-date=July 17, 2013|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> 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 (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)|The Undiscovered Country]]” after six seasons on the show.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=February 7, 2018|title=Raúl Esparza exits ''Law & Order: SVU'' after six seasons|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/07/law-order-svu-raul-esparza-exit/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="DL 2018">{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=February 7, 2018|title=Raul Esparza Exits 'Law & Order: SVU'; 'Chicago Justice' Vet Promoted To Series Regular|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/law-and-order-svu-raul-esparza-1202281264/|access-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref>
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 (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)|Twenty-Five Acts]]".<ref>{{cite web|date=October 2, 2012|title=Raul Esparza Set to Appear on LAW & ORDER: SVU, 10/10|url=http://broadwayworld.com/article/Raul-Esparza-Set-to-Appear-on-LAW-ORDER-SVU-1010-20121002|access-date=October 2, 2012|work=BroadwayWorld}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|date=July 12, 2013|title=Justin Hartley Joins ABC's 'Revenge', Raul Esparza Upped To Regular On 'Law & Order: SVU'|url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/justin-hartley-revenge-abc-540001/|access-date=July 17, 2013|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]}}</ref> 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 (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)|The Undiscovered Country]]" after six seasons on the show.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Abrams|first=Natalie|date=February 7, 2018|title=Raúl Esparza exits ''Law & Order: SVU'' after six seasons|url=https://ew.com/tv/2018/02/07/law-order-svu-raul-esparza-exit/|magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]]|access-date=February 10, 2018}}</ref><ref name="DL 2018">{{cite news|last=Ramos|first=Dino-Ray|date=February 7, 2018|title=Raul Esparza Exits 'Law & Order: SVU'; 'Chicago Justice' Vet Promoted To Series Regular|website=Deadline Hollywood|url=https://deadline.com/2018/02/law-and-order-svu-raul-esparza-1202281264/|access-date=February 16, 2018}}</ref>


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".<ref name="Cameo">{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Daniel S.|date=February 6, 2020|title='Law & Order: SVU' Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan-Favorite Cameo|url=https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-fans-shocked-surprise-cameo-from-rafael-barba/|access-date=February 6, 2019|work=popculture.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="sightless">{{cite web|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=December 28, 2020|title=''Law & Order: SVU'' Reveals 'Emotional' Nature of Barba's January Return|url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/28/law-and-order-svu-barba-returns-season-22-episode-4/|access-date=December 2, 2020|work=TVLine.com}}</ref>
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".<ref name="Cameo">{{cite web|last=Levine|first=Daniel S.|date=February 6, 2020|title='Law & Order: SVU' Viewers Shocked by Surprise Cameo From Fan-Favorite Cameo|url=https://popculture.com/tv-shows/news/law-order-svu-fans-shocked-surprise-cameo-from-rafael-barba/|access-date=February 6, 2019|work=popculture.com}}</ref> 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.<ref name="sightless">{{cite web|last=Mitovich|first=Matt Webb|date=December 28, 2020|title=''Law & Order: SVU'' Reveals 'Emotional' Nature of Barba's January Return|url=https://tvline.com/2020/12/28/law-and-order-svu-barba-returns-season-22-episode-4/|access-date=December 2, 2020|work=TVLine.com}}</ref>
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== Theater credits ==
== Theater credits ==
Selected credits<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raúl Esparza theatre profile |url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/284075-raul-esparza |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=abouttheartists.com}}</ref>
Selected credits<ref>{{Cite web |title=Raúl Esparza theatre profile |url=https://www.abouttheartists.com/artists/284075-raul-esparza |access-date=2022-04-26 |website=abouttheartists.com}}</ref>
{| Class= wikitable sortable

|-
* 1998–99: [[Evita (musical)|''Evita'']] (20th Anniversary US National Tour) – Che
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Location !! Notes
* 2002–01: ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''; [[Circle in the Square Theatre]] (Broadway) – Riff Raff
|-
* 2001: ''[[Tick, Tick... Boom!]]''; [[Jane Street Theatre]] (Off-Broadway) – Jonathan
| 1998–1999
* 2001–02: [[Cabaret (musical)|''Cabaret'']]; [[Studio 54]] (Broadway) – The Emcee
| [[Evita (musical)|''Evita'']]
* 2002: ''[[Sunday in the Park with George]]''; [[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts|Kennedy Center]] (Washington, D.C.) – [[Georges Seurat]]/George
| Che
* 2002: [[Merrily We Roll Along (musical)|''Merrily We Roll Along'']]; Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.) – Charley Kringas
| US National Tour
* 2003: [[Comedians (play)|''Comedians'']]; [[Theatre Row Building|Samual Beckett Theatre]] (Off-Broadway) – Gethin Price
| 20th Anniversary
* 2003: [[Chess (musical)|''Chess'']]; [[New Amsterdam Theatre]] (Actors Fund of America Concert) - The Arbiter
|-
* 2003–04: [[Taboo (musical)|''Taboo'']]; [[Plymouth Theatre (Broadway)|Plymouth Theatre]] (Broadway) – Philip Sallon
| 2000–2001
* 2004: ''[[The Normal Heart]]''; [[The Public Theater]] (Off-Broadway) – Ned Weeks
| ''[[The Rocky Horror Show]]''
* 2005: [[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)|''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'']]; [[Hilton Theatre]] (Broadway) – [[Caractacus Pott]]s
| Riff Raff
* 2006: ''[[Company (musical)|Company]]''; The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park (Regional) – Robert
| [[Circle in the Square Theatre]]
* 2006–07: ''Company''; [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]] (Broadway) – Robert
| [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
* 2007–08: ''[[The Homecoming]]''; [[Cort Theatre]] (Broadway) – Lenny
|-
* 2008–09: ''[[Speed-the-Plow]]''; [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]] (Broadway) – Charlie Fox
| 2001
* 2009: ''[[Twelfth Night]]''; [[Delacorte Theater|Delacorte Theatre]] ([[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]]) – Orsino
| ''[[Tick, Tick... Boom!]]''
* 2010: ''[[Anyone Can Whistle]]''; [[New York City Center]] (Off-Broadway) - J. Bowden Hapgood
| Jonathan
* 2010: [[Leap of Faith (musical)|''Leap of Faith'']]; [[Mark Taper Forum]] (Los Angeles) – Jonas Nightingale
| [[Jane Street Theatre]]
* 2011: [[Arcadia (play)|''Arcadia'']]; [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]] (Broadway) – Valentine Coverly
| [[Off-Broadway]]
* 2012: [[Leap of Faith (musical)|''Leap of Faith'']]; [[St. James Theatre]] (Broadway) – Jonas Nightingale
|-
* 2012: [[Fun Home (musical)|''Fun Home'']]; Sundance Institute's Theater Lab – Bruce Bechdel
| 2001–2002
* 2013: ''[[The Cradle Will Rock]]''; [[New York City Center]] (Off-Broadway) – Larry Foreman
| [[Cabaret (musical)|''Cabaret'']]
* 2015: ''[[Cymbeline]]''; [[Delacorte Theater|Delacorte Theatre]] ([[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]]) – Iachimo
| The Emcee
* 2018: [[Chess (musical)|''Chess'']]; [[Eisenhower Theater]] (Pre-Broadway) - Freddie Trumper
| [[Studio 54]]
* 2018: ''[[The Waves]]''; [[Powerhouse Theater]] (Poughkeepsie) – Bernard
| [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
* 2018: ''[[The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui]]''; [[Classic Stage Company|Lynn F. Angelson Theater]] (Off-Broadway) – Arturo Ui
|-
* 2019: [[Seared (play)|''Seared'']]; [[MCC Theater]] (Off-Broadway) – Harry
| rowspan=2|2002
* 2020: ''A Christmas Carol''; (Online) – [[Ebenezer Scrooge]]
| ''[[Sunday in the Park with George]]''
* 2023: ''[[Oliver!]]''; [[New York City Center]] (Off-Broadway) - [[Fagin]]
| [[Georges Seurat]] / George
| rowspan=2|[[John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts|Kennedy Center]]
| rowspan=2|Washington, D.C.
|-
| [[Merrily We Roll Along (musical)|''Merrily We Roll Along'']]
| Charley Kringas
|-
| rowspan=2|2003
| [[Comedians (play)|''Comedians'']]
| Gethin Price
| [[Theatre Row Building|Samual Beckett Theatre]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| [[Chess (musical)|''Chess'']]
| The Arbiter
| [[New Amsterdam Theatre]]
| Actors Fund of America Concert
|-
| 2003–2004
| [[Taboo (musical)|''Taboo'']]
| Philip Sallon
| [[Plymouth Theatre (Broadway)|Plymouth Theatre]]
| [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
|-
| 2004
| ''[[The Normal Heart]]''
| Ned Weeks
| [[The Public Theater]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| 2005
| [[Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (musical)|''Chitty Chitty Bang Bang'']]
| [[Caractacus Potts]]
| [[Hilton Theatre]]
| [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
|-
| 2006
| rowspan=2|''[[Company (musical)|Company]]''
| rowspan=2|Robert
| The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park
| Regional
|-
| 2006–2007
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]]
| rowspan=3|[[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
|-
| 2007–2008
| ''[[The Homecoming]]''
| Lenny
| [[Cort Theatre]]
|-
| 2008–2009
| ''[[Speed-the-Plow]]''
| Charlie Fox
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]]
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Twelfth Night]]''
| Orsino
| [[Delacorte Theater|Delacorte Theatre]]
| [[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]]
|-
| rowspan=2|2010
| ''[[Anyone Can Whistle]]''
| J. Bowden Hapgood
| [[New York City Center]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| [[Leap of Faith (musical)|''Leap of Faith'']]
| Jonas Nightingale
| [[Mark Taper Forum]]
| Regional
|-
| 2011
| [[Arcadia (play)|''Arcadia'']]
| Valentine Coverly
| [[Ethel Barrymore Theatre]]
| rowspan=2|[[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]
|-
| rowspan=2|2012
| [[Leap of Faith (musical)|''Leap of Faith'']]
| Jonas Nightingale
| [[St. James Theatre]]
|-
| [[Fun Home (musical)|''Fun Home'']]
| Bruce Bechdel
| Sundance Institute's Theater Lab
| Workshop
|-
| 2013
| ''[[The Cradle Will Rock]]''
| Larry Foreman
| [[New York City Center]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| 2015
| ''[[Cymbeline]]''
| Iachimo
| [[Delacorte Theater|Delacorte Theatre]]
| [[Shakespeare in the Park (New York City)|Shakespeare in the Park]]
|-
| rowspan=3|2018
| [[Chess (musical)|''Chess'']]
| Freddie Trumper
| [[Eisenhower Theater]]
| Pre-Broadway
|-
| ''[[The Waves]]''
| Bernard
| [[Powerhouse Theater]]
| Regional
|-
| ''[[The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui]]''
| Arturo Ui
| [[Classic Stage Company|Lynn F. Angelson Theater]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| rowspan=3|2019
| ''Galileo''
| [[Galileo]]
| Susan Stein Shiva Theater
| Workshop
|-
| [[Road Show (musical)|''Road Show'']]
| Wilson Mizner
| [[New York City Center]]
| rowspan=2|[[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| [[Seared (play)|''Seared'']]
| Harry
| [[MCC Theater]]
|-
| 2020
| ''A Christmas Carol''
| [[Ebenezer Scrooge]]
!-
| Online
|-
| 2023
| ''[[Oliver!]]''
| [[Fagin]]
| [[New York City Center]]
| [[Off-Broadway]]
|-
| 2024
| ''Galileo''
| [[Galileo]]
| [[Berkeley Repertory Theatre]]
| Regional
|}


==Awards and nominations==
==Awards and nominations==
Line 294: Line 444:
|-
|-
| colspan="3" |[[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors|HOLA]] [[José Ferrer]] Tespis Award ||{{win}}
| colspan="3" |[[Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors|HOLA]] [[José Ferrer]] Tespis Award ||{{win}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Citation|title=Raúl Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 José Ferrer Tespis Award|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sph-_i2BN0k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/Sph-_i2BN0k |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-04-18}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{Citation|title=Raúl Esparza Accepts the HOLA 2005 José Ferrer Tespis Award| date=May 30, 2008 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sph-_i2BN0k |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211217/Sph-_i2BN0k |archive-date=2021-12-17 |url-status=live|language=en|access-date=2021-04-18}}{{cbignore}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2006 || Cincinnati Entertainment Award || Outstanding Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;"|2006 || Cincinnati Entertainment Award || Outstanding Acting Performance by a Visiting Actor
Line 395: Line 545:
|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
|Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play
|{{nom}}
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees|url=https://www.lortelaward.com/2020|access-date=2021-04-18|website=The Lucille Lortel Awards|language=en-US}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|title=2020 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominees|url=https://www.lortelaward.com/2020|access-date=2021-04-18|website=The Lucille Lortel Awards|language=en-US|archive-date=October 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019162435/https://www.lortelaward.com/2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}
|}


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[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American bisexual male actors]]
[[Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:American entertainers of Cuban descent]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
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[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:American male voice actors]]
[[Category:Bisexual male actors]]
[[Category:American people of Catalan descent]]
[[Category:Bisexual singers]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:Drama Desk Award winners]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American male actors]]
[[Category:LGBT Hispanic and Latino American people]]
[[Category:LGBTQ Hispanic and Latino American people]]
[[Category:LGBT people from Delaware]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Delaware]]
[[Category:LGBTQ people from Florida]]
[[Category:Male actors from Miami]]
[[Category:Male actors from Miami]]
[[Category:Male actors from Wilmington, Delaware]]
[[Category:Male actors from Wilmington, Delaware]]
[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:Theatre World Award winners]]
[[Category:Theatre World Award winners]]
[[Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]
[[Category:LGBT people from Florida]]
[[Category:American bisexual actors]]
[[Category:American people of Catalan descent]]

Latest revision as of 04:09, 9 December 2024

Raúl Esparza
Esparza at the Opening Night of the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods
Born
Raúl Eduardo Esparza

(1970-10-24) October 24, 1970 (age 54)
Wilmington, Delaware, U.S.
Alma materNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Michelle Perez
​
​
(m. 1994; div. 2008)​
Websitewww.raulesparza.com Edit this at Wikidata

Raúl Eduardo Esparza (born October 24, 1970) is an American actor. 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.

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

[edit]

Raúl 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

[edit]

Theatre

[edit]

Broadway theatre

[edit]

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.[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

[edit]

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.[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

[edit]

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[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

[edit]

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".[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

[edit]

Esparza 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

[edit]

Film

[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

[edit]

Selected credits[38]

Year Title Role Location Notes
1998–1999 Evita Che US National Tour 20th Anniversary
2000–2001 The Rocky Horror Show Riff Raff Circle in the Square Theatre Broadway
2001 Tick, Tick... Boom! Jonathan Jane Street Theatre Off-Broadway
2001–2002 Cabaret The Emcee Studio 54 Broadway
2002 Sunday in the Park with George Georges Seurat / George Kennedy Center Washington, D.C.
Merrily We Roll Along Charley Kringas
2003 Comedians Gethin Price Samual Beckett Theatre Off-Broadway
Chess The Arbiter New Amsterdam Theatre Actors Fund of America Concert
2003–2004 Taboo Philip Sallon Plymouth Theatre Broadway
2004 The Normal Heart Ned Weeks The Public Theater Off-Broadway
2005 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Caractacus Potts Hilton Theatre Broadway
2006 Company Robert The Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park Regional
2006–2007 Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway
2007–2008 The Homecoming Lenny Cort Theatre
2008–2009 Speed-the-Plow Charlie Fox Ethel Barrymore Theatre
2009 Twelfth Night Orsino Delacorte Theatre Shakespeare in the Park
2010 Anyone Can Whistle J. Bowden Hapgood New York City Center Off-Broadway
Leap of Faith Jonas Nightingale Mark Taper Forum Regional
2011 Arcadia Valentine Coverly Ethel Barrymore Theatre Broadway
2012 Leap of Faith Jonas Nightingale St. James Theatre
Fun Home Bruce Bechdel Sundance Institute's Theater Lab Workshop
2013 The Cradle Will Rock Larry Foreman New York City Center Off-Broadway
2015 Cymbeline Iachimo Delacorte Theatre Shakespeare in the Park
2018 Chess Freddie Trumper Eisenhower Theater Pre-Broadway
The Waves Bernard Powerhouse Theater Regional
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Arturo Ui Lynn F. Angelson Theater Off-Broadway
2019 Galileo Galileo Susan Stein Shiva Theater Workshop
Road Show Wilson Mizner New York City Center Off-Broadway
Seared Harry MCC Theater
2020 A Christmas Carol Ebenezer Scrooge - Online
2023 Oliver! Fagin New York City Center Off-Broadway
2024 Galileo Galileo Berkeley Repertory Theatre Regional

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Theatre World Award The Rocky Horror Show Honouree [39]
2002 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical tick, tick...BOOM! Nominated [40]
Obie Award Performance Won [41]
2003 Barrymore Award Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical Green Violin Won [42]
Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Resident Musical Sunday in the Park with George Nominated [43]
2004 Tony Award Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical Taboo Nominated [44]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Won [45]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Taboo and The Normal Heart Nominated [46]
2005 Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Nominated [47]
HOLA José Ferrer Tespis Award Won [48]
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 [44]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [49]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [50]
Outer Circle Critics Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Won [51]
2008 Tony Award Best Featured Actor in a Play The Homecoming Nominated [44]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Ensemble Performance Won [52]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play Nominated [53]
2009 Tony Award Best Actor in a Play Speed-the-Plow Nominated [44]
Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [54]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [55]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Nominated [56]
2011 Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Arcadia Nominated [57]
Ovation Award Lead Actor in a Musical Leap of Faith Won [58]
2012 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [59]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [60]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical Nominated [61]
2019 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui Nominated [62]
2020 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Seared Nominated [63]
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated [64]
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Play Honouree [65]
Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play Nominated [66]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Stated on Finding Your Roots, January 4, 2022
  2. ^ The International Jesuit Alumni Directory Belen (Forum Press Inc., 1994)
  3. ^ "Grad Acting Alumnus Raúl Esparza on Shakespeare in the Park". tisch.nyu.edu. August 6, 2015. Retrieved May 20, 2017.
  4. ^ "Finding Your Roots | Children of Exile | Season 8 | Episode 3". July 2023.
  5. ^ Friedman, Roger (December 22, 2008). "'Entourage' Star Bashed For Being Diva". Fox News. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  6. ^ "Crudup, Esparza, Williams & More to Star in ARCADIA; Begins at Barrymore Theatre on Feb. 25". BroadwayWorld. December 29, 2010.
  7. ^ Jones, Kenneth (April 26, 2012). "Leap of Faith, With Raúl Esparza at the Musical Pulpit, Opens on Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  8. ^ Bacalzo, Dan (April 27, 2012). "2012 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced". TheaterMania. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  9. ^ "Merrily We Roll Along Begins Kennedy Center Previews July 12". Playbill. July 12, 2002. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  10. ^ Gans, Andrew (September 23, 2003). "DIVA TALK SPECIAL: Julia and Josh Dazzle in All-Star Chess". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
  11. ^ Hetrick, Adam (June 25, 2009). "Hathaway, McDonald, White and Esparza Open Twelfth Night in Central Park June 25". Playbill. Retrieved January 1, 2021.
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