Hubbry Logo
Steve KazeeSteve KazeeMain
Open search
Steve Kazee
Community hub
Steve Kazee
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Steve Kazee
Steve Kazee
from Wikipedia

Steven Michael Kazee (born October 30, 1975) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for starring as Guy in the musical Once for which he was awarded the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical. Kazee began his professional acting career in the mid-2000s, and from 2005 until 2013 acted in a series of Broadway productions including Spamalot, 110 in the Shade, and Once. Following the success of Once, Kazee acted on multiple television series, most notably playing Gus Pfender in the fifth season of Shameless. Kazee returned to theater in 2018, starring as Edward in the Chicago tryout of Pretty Woman: The Musical.

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Kazee was born and raised in Ashland, Kentucky.[1] He is an alumnus of Fairview High School and Morehead State University.[2] Kazee moved to New York City in 2002 and received his MFA from the Graduate Acting Program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts in 2005.[1]

Career

[edit]

Theatre

[edit]

He appeared in the New York Shakespeare Festival's As You Like It in June 2005.[3] He appeared in Seascape on Broadway in November 2005 as the Leslie understudy.[4] In January 2006, he appeared as Timmy Cleary in The Subject Was Roses, which played at the Kennedy Center.[5] He was later cast as a replacement for Sir Lancelot in Spamalot on Broadway in April 2006.[6] In 2007, he starred as Bill Starbuck in the revival of 110 in the Shade on Broadway,[7] In 2008, he played Sobinsky in To Be Or Not To Be, which ran from September 16 through November 16 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.[8]

Kazee starred as Guy in the stage adaptation of Once,[9] He originated the role off-Broadway when it opened at the New York Theatre Workshop on December 6, 2011. Once began previews on Broadway on February 28, 2012, and opened on March 18, 2012, at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Kazee made several TV appearances promoting Once, including Late Show with David Letterman and Today Show.[10] Kazee won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical.[11] Kazee and the cast of Once won the Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.[12]

He is featured on Christina Perri's song "A Thousand Years, Pt. 2", which appears on The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).[13]

In 2017 it was announced that Kazee would star in the stage adaptation of the 1990 film Pretty Woman, opposite Samantha Barks in her Broadway debut. The musical, titled Pretty Woman: The Musical, is directed by Jerry Mitchell and premiered in Chicago in March 2018 and later opened on Broadway in August 2018.[14][15] After performing as Edward in the Chicago production, Kazee left Pretty Woman: The Musical due to "family reasons."[16] He was replaced by Andy Karl when the production transferred to Broadway.[17]

Television

[edit]

In 2006, Kazee played Dumas Shepherd in an episode of the television series Conviction. In 2007, he appeared as Michael Barlow in Medium and Mark Green in Numb3rs.[18] In 2008, he appeared on NCIS as Michael Locke. In 2009, he played Dominic Humphreys on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.[18] Kazee had a starring role on the CMT's Working Class (2011), in which he played Nick Garrett.[19]

In 2013 he appeared on Elementary as Jeff Hines[20] and on Drop Dead Diva as Dustin Wycott.[21] In 2015, he played Gus Pfender in a recurring role in season 5 and 6 of Showtime's series Shameless.[22]

Personal life

[edit]

Kazee was previously in a relationship with actress Megan Hilty from 2005 until 2012.[23]

In October 2018, it was confirmed that Kazee was in a relationship with Jenna Dewan.[24][25] In September 2019, it was announced that the couple were expecting their first child together.[26] In February 2020, he and Dewan became engaged.[27] He and Dewan had their son, Callum Michael Rebel Kazee, on March 6, 2020.[28] In January 2024, it was announced that the couple were expecting their second child together. He and Dewan had their daughter, Rhiannon Lee Kathryn Kazee, on June 14, 2024. [29]

Theatre credits

[edit]

Sources: Playbill;[30] BroadwayWorld[31]

Year Title Role Theatre Notes
2004 Cabaret & Main Performer Williamstown Theatre Festival Regional production
Eurydice Father
2005 As You Like It Ensemble Delacorte Theater Shakespeare in the Park
2005–2006 Seascape Leslie (u/s) Booth Theatre Broadway revival
2006 The Subject Was Roses Timmy Cleary Kennedy Center Washington, D.C. revival
Monty Python's Spamalot Sir Lancelot (and others) Shubert Theatre Broadway replacement
2007 110 in the Shade Bill Starbuck Studio 54 Broadway revival
2008 To Be or Not to Be Sobinsky Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Original Broadway production
2009 Pirates! (Or, Gilbert and Sullivan Plunder'd) The Pirate King Huntington Theatre Company Original Boston production
Tales of the City Eugene O'Neil Theater Staged readings
2011–2013 Once Guy New York Theatre Workshop Original off-Broadway production
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre Original Broadway production
2018 Pretty Woman: The Musical Edward Oriental Theatre Original Chicago production
2018 Love Actually Live Jaime The Wallis Original production

Filmography

[edit]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Working Class Nick Garrett Main role
2013 Elementary Jeff Hines Episode: "We Are Everyone"
Drop Dead Diva Dustin Wycott Episode: "Guess Who's Coming"
2015–2016 Shameless[22] Gus Pfender 14 episodes
2016 Nashville[32] Riff Bell 2 episodes
Drew[33] Ned Nickerson Unsold TV pilot (CBS)
2018 Blindspot Clem 2 episodes
2019 The Walking Dead Frank Episode: "Omega"
Tempting Fate Elliott Cartwright TV movie
2021-2025 The Rookie Jason Wyler 5 episodes

Awards and nominations

[edit]

Sources: Playbill;[30] IBDB[34]

Year Award Category Work Result
2007 Helen Hayes Award Outstanding Lead Actor, Non-Resident Production The Subject Was Roses Nominated
2012 Tony Award Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical Once Won
Drama League Award Distinguished Performance Nominated
Outer Critics Circle Award Outstanding Actor in a Musical[35]
2013 Grammy Award Best Musical Theater Album
(shared with Cristin Milioti, Steven Epstein, Martin Lowe, Glen Hansard, and Markéta Irglová)
Won

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Steven Michael Kazee (born October 30, 1975) is an American actor and singer best known for originating the role of Guy in the Broadway musical Once, for which he won the 2012 Tony Award for Best Performance by a in a Musical. Born in , Kazee attended Fairview High School and earned a from before obtaining a in acting from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 2005. His early theater career included replacement roles in the Broadway production of (2006) as Sir Lancelot, the French Taunter, the Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter, followed by his Broadway debut as Starbuck in the 2007 revival of , earning him a World Award and a Drama Desk Award nomination. Kazee's breakout came with Once, which also garnered him Drama League and Outer Critics Circle Award nominations; the cast album won a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album in 2013. Transitioning to television, he has appeared in series such as Nashville (2014), Shameless (2015–2016) as Gus Pfender, The Walking Dead (2019) as Frank, and more recently as the antagonist Jason in The Rookie (2024–present). His film credits include The Way Back (2020). In his personal life, Kazee has been engaged to actress since February 2020, following their relationship confirmation in October 2018. The couple shares two children: son Callum Michael Rebel (born March 2020) and daughter Rhiannon Lee Kathryn (born June 14, 2024).

Early life and education

Early life

Steven Michael Kazee was born on October 30, 1975, in Ashland, Kentucky. As the only child of a welder father and a health care aide mother, Kazee grew up in a modest, working-class family in the small town of Ashland, a community of around 20,000 residents along the Ohio River. His family often lived in trailers, which exposed him to the rhythms of rural Appalachian life. Kazee's early years were marked by a close-knit family environment that emphasized resilience amid economic challenges common to the region. His mother, Kathy Kazee, played a significant role in nurturing his interests, though she later passed away from cancer in 2012. In this small-town setting, young Kazee developed an initial fascination with music, starting with guitar lessons at age 12, which became a personal outlet for expression. Local activities, such as community events and church gatherings, provided subtle introductions to performance, fostering his creative inclinations without formal structure at first. During high school, Kazee attended Fairview High School in Ashland, where he became involved in the arts through choir under teacher ; he had earlier exposure to music at Boyd County High School with instructor . These experiences in school ensembles helped build his vocal skills and confidence in performing, setting the stage for his later pursuits in .

Education

Kazee earned a degree in theatre from in in 2002. There, he became involved in campus productions, which sparked his passion for after initially considering other career paths like or . After graduating, Kazee relocated to in 2002 to immerse himself in the professional acting scene. He then pursued advanced training by enrolling in the three-year program in acting at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, completing the degree in 2005. The Tisch Graduate Acting Program provided Kazee with rigorous, cohort-based instruction emphasizing classical and contemporary techniques, imagination, and discipline, including classes in voice, movement, and collaborative workshops with professionals. These elements, along with participation in student-directed productions, honed his acting and singing abilities, laying the foundation for his subsequent work in musical theater.

Career

Theatre

Kazee began his professional stage career in the mid-2000s with an appearance as an ensemble member in the New York Shakespeare Festival's production of at the in June 2005. Shortly thereafter, he served as the for the role of Leslie in Edward Albee's on Broadway, which opened in November 2005 at the Cort Theatre. In March 2006, Kazee joined the long-running Broadway musical Monty Python's Spamalot at the Shubert Theatre, replacing in multiple roles, including Sir Lancelot, the French Taunter, the Knight of Ni, and Tim the Enchanter. His Broadway leading debut came in 2007 when he starred as the charismatic rancher Starbuck opposite in the Roundabout Company's revival of 110 in the Shade at , a musical adaptation of The Rainmaker that ran from April to July. Kazee followed this with the role of Lieutenant Sobinski, a Polish pilot, in the Manhattan Theatre Club's Broadway production of Nick Whitby's dark comedy To Be or Not to Be at the in October 2008. Kazee's breakthrough came with the musical Once, where he originated the role of Guy, a struggling Czech musician, in the premiere at in December 2011. The production, directed by and based on the 2007 film, transferred to Broadway at the in March 2012, where Kazee's raw, guitar-driven performance as the heartbroken songwriter propelled the show's intimate, folk-rock narrative about love and creativity in . His portrayal earned widespread acclaim for its emotional depth and musical authenticity, marking a pivotal success in his career. Prior to these Broadway roles, Kazee appeared in regional theater, including a Helen Hayes Award-nominated performance as Timmy Cleary in The Subject Was Roses at the Kennedy Center in 2006. After Once closed in January 2015, Kazee stepped away from major stage work to pursue television opportunities. He returned to theater in 2018, starring as the wealthy businessman Edward Lewis in the pre-Broadway tryout of Pretty Woman: The Musical at Chicago's Oriental Theatre from March to April, alongside Samantha Barks as Vivian Ward. Kazee departed the production prior to its Broadway opening due to family commitments, and was replaced by Andy Karl. Kazee returned to the stage in 2025 for the premiere of the Tony Award-winning play Appropriate at The , where he played Bo from January 25 to February 23. Since then, he has shifted his focus primarily to screen while maintaining a connection to musical theater through occasional performances and recordings.

Kazee's entry into feature films came relatively late in his career, following his Tony Award-winning success on Broadway, marking a gradual expansion into cinema with supporting and leading roles in independent dramas and thrillers. His portrayals often emphasize emotional depth and relational dynamics, drawing on his stage-honed intensity for dramatic and occasionally comedic nuances. In 2014, Kazee appeared in the TV movie Warriors as Clay Sterling, the husband of a military doctor dealing with the aftermath of war. Kazee took on a lead role in 2016's TV movie Drew, a pilot based on , playing , the supportive boyfriend of detective Nancy Drew (). In 2017, Kazee starred in the TV movie The Haunted as Ellis Bradley, the eldest sibling in a family haunted by forces after their parents' death. In 2019, Kazee starred as Alex Fletcher in Lovestruck, a dramedy pilot exploring relationships during a wedding night. Also in 2019, Kazee starred as Elliott Cartwright in Tempting Fate, a romantic drama directed by Adam S. Newman that examines the repercussions of within a seemingly stable marriage. As the devoted husband and doctor whose life unravels after his wife Gabby's , Kazee's performance captures the character's vulnerability and quiet devastation, contributing to the film's exploration of fate and forgiveness through tense family confrontations and introspective moments. Produced independently for Lifetime but released as a feature-length narrative, the film highlights Kazee's ability to convey subtle heartbreak in a mid-budget production. Kazee took on a more ensemble-oriented role in 2022's The Grotto, Joanna Gleason's independent feature directorial debut, a dramedy set in a quirky . Playing James, the club's stoic , Kazee infuses the character with understated humor and warmth, aiding the protagonist Alice's journey of grief and reinvention after inheriting the venue following her fiancé's . His portrayal adds layers of camaraderie and quiet support amid the film's blend of eccentric performers and emotional revelations, underscoring themes of community healing in a low-budget, character-driven story filmed in . The project reflects Kazee's growing affinity for intimate, indie cinema. Continuing his momentum in smaller-scale productions, Kazee led the 2023 thriller Devil On My Doorstep as Theo, a charismatic yet obsessive delivery driver who fixates on a grieving dispatcher at his workplace. In this tense narrative of stalking and psychological manipulation, Kazee's depiction of Theo's escalating menace drives the plot's suspenseful turns, blending dramatic intensity with thriller elements as the protagonist uncovers his dangerous intentions. An independent Lifetime feature co-starring his partner Jenna Dewan, it showcases Kazee's versatility in portraying complex antagonists. No additional feature film releases for Kazee have been noted through 2025.

Television

Kazee began his television career with guest appearances in several crime dramas during the mid-2000s. In 2006, he portrayed Dumas Shepherd in a single episode of the legal series . The following year, he appeared as Michael Barlow in the episode "Whatever Possessed You" of Medium, playing a man haunted by supernatural visions, and as Mark Green in the "" installment of Numb3rs, depicting an aspiring actor entangled in a investigation. In 2008, Kazee guest-starred as Michael Locke, a suspected serial killer's associate, in the NCIS episode "Recoil." He continued with a 2009 role as Dominic Humphreys, a suspect in a casino heist, on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. In 2013, Kazee guest-starred as Jeff Hines in the Elementary episode "We Are Everyone," a contractor involved in leaking classified information. He also recurred as Dustin Wycott in Drop Dead Diva. Kazee transitioned to more prominent recurring roles in the 2010s. He starred as Nick Garrett, the charming but irresponsible brother of the lead character, in all 12 episodes of the 2011 CMT sitcom Working Class, which followed a single mother's life in a suburban neighborhood. In 2015, he recurred as Curtis Ballard in 10 episodes of the TNT series Legends. His most notable television arc came in Shameless, where he played Gus Pfender, a musician who enters a whirlwind romance and marriage with Fiona Gallagher, across 14 episodes in seasons 5 and 6 (2015–2016); the storyline explored themes of impulsive relationships and family dysfunction within the Gallagher household. In 2016, Kazee recurred as Riff Bell, an old friend and musician recruited by Luke Wheeler, in Nashville. In subsequent years, Kazee took on guest spots in action and procedural series. He appeared as Elijah Ward, a cult leader abducting a church group in Tanzania, in the 2017 episode "Lost Souls" of Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. The next year, he recurred as Clem Hahn, a former associate of Jane Doe's past, in two episodes of Blindspot ("Balance of Might" and "Technology Wizards"). In 2019, Kazee portrayed Frank, a survivor involved in a tense community standoff, in the The Walking Dead episode "Omega." Kazee's ongoing television work includes a recurring role as Jason Wyler, the abusive ex-husband of firefighter Bailey Nune (played by his real-life fiancée ), in five episodes of The Rookie spanning 2021 to 2025. His character's return in season 7, which premiered on January 7, 2025, after a delay from the fall 2024 schedule due to production adjustments, heightens the police procedural's personal stakes for Nune amid investigations into domestic threats and departmental conflicts. No voice work or television specials are credited to Kazee as of 2025.

Personal life

Relationships

Steve Kazee began a romantic relationship with actress and singer in 2005, having met through their shared work in the theater community. The couple dated for seven years before parting ways amicably in 2012, with both issuing statements expressing mutual respect and well wishes. In October 2018, Kazee started dating actress , shortly after her separation from actor was announced earlier that year. The pair became engaged in February 2020, when Dewan shared news of the proposal on , displaying her diamond ring. Kazee and Dewan have made several public appearances together, including attending the 35th Annual Environmental Media Association (EMA) Awards Gala in on October 11, 2025. Following the finalization of Dewan's with Tatum in September 2024, the couple has discussed advancing their wedding plans, with Dewan expressing hopes to marry in 2025 during interviews in early that year. In February 2025, Dewan shared that they were actively planning the ceremony, though progress had been slow amid her busy schedule. On October 30, 2025, marked Kazee's 50th birthday with a heartfelt tribute, posting a montage of their shared moments and writing that she felt "overcome with gratitude" for their bond.

Family

Kazee had no prior marriages or children before 2020. He shares two children with his fiancée, . Their son, Callum Michael Rebel Kazee, was born on March 6, 2020, in . Their daughter, Lee Kathryn Kazee, arrived on June 14, 2024. Kazee and maintain a co-parenting arrangement, blending their family activities. In April 2025, they attended the Music and Arts Festival together with Dewan's from her previous marriage, Everly Tatum, highlighting their blended family dynamic. Kazee has publicly expressed joy in fatherhood, describing it as a profound and fulfilling role that has deepened his appreciation for family life.

Awards and nominations

Wins

Steve Kazee's most prominent award win came at the 66th Annual on June 10, 2012, where he received the Tony Award for Best Performance by a in a Musical for his portrayal of the struggling musician Guy in the Broadway production of Once. This victory, presented at in , recognized Kazee's nuanced performance blending vulnerability and raw emotion, which helped elevate the show's intimate storytelling and contributed to Once securing eight Tony Awards overall that year. The following year, Kazee shared in the success of the Once cast recording at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards on February 10, 2013, winning the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. As a principal soloist alongside Cristin Milioti, his vocal contributions were central to the album, including the poignant duet "Falling Slowly" and solo tracks like "Leave," which captured the musical's folk-infused authenticity and emotional depth, produced by Steven Epstein and Martin Lowe. This win underscored the production's lasting impact beyond the stage, affirming Kazee's role in a work that originated from the 2007 film and resonated with audiences through its themes of artistic pursuit and human connection.

Nominations

Kazee received his first major award recognition with a for the for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Non-Resident Production for his portrayal of Timmy Cleary in the Kennedy Center revival of in 2007. This production, directed by Gregory Mosher, featured co-stars and , both of whom also earned nominations in their respective acting categories for the same play. His performance as Guy in the Broadway musical Once garnered multiple nominations in 2012, including the Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical, where he competed against Danny Burstein (Follies), Rob Bartlett (Leap of Faith), Jeremy Jordan (Newsies), and Stark Sands (Kinky Boots). Kazee was also nominated for the for Distinguished Performance, alongside a field of performers such as Tracie Bennett (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time), Celia Keenan-Bolger (Peter and the Starcatcher), and Angela Lansbury (The Best Man). Additionally, he received an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, facing competition from Norm Lewis (The Gershwins' ). Kazee has not received notable nominations for his work in film or as of 2025.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.