Biography:

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Adam Pascal (born October 25, 1970) is an American actor and singer, best known for his Tony-nominated performance as Roger Davis in the original cast of Jonathan Larson's musical Rent on Broadway. He is also known for originating the role of Radames in Elton John and Tim Rice's Aida.

Pascal was born to a Jewish family in The Bronx, New York, but raised in Syosset, New York. Although he started as a rock musician playing in a number of bands (such as Mute) he formed with his schoolmates, Pascal became drawn to the musical theater. A friend of his former high school, who at the time was dating fellow Syosset graduate Idina Menzel, mentioned Rent to him. On a whim, he auditioned for the role of Roger in Rent and was cast. His performance in Rent earned him a Tony nomination, a Theater World award, and an Obie Award. He left the show on November 2nd, 1997, but went on to play Roger when Rent went to London.

The role helped Pascal gain fame on Broadway, and he was cast in the Elton John and Tim Rice musical Aida as Radames (original and final cast), and Kander and Ebb's Cabaret, closing the show as the Emcee (closing cast). He also participated in several charity performances, including Hair (singing "I Got Life"), Chess (playing the American, Freddie), and the 24 Hour Plays in 2005. However, Pascal felt that he was looked upon solely as a Broadway singer, and he returned to his roots with a solo recording contract on Sh-K-Boom Records, which was founded by his Aida costar, Sherie Rene Scott and her husband Kurt Deutsch. He has released two solo rock albums, Model Prisoner (2000) and Civilian (2004). He also contributed a cover of Billy Joel's "New York State of Mind" to the CD Broadway Cares: Home for the Holidays.

He made his film debut in SLC Punk! (1999), and also appeared in School of Rock (2003) and Temptation (2004). The audio for Temptation, a musical, was recorded live on set during filming. In late 2005, he starred as Roger Davis in the film version of Rent, directed by Chris Columbus. Originally in development for translation to film by director Spike Lee, the cast was repored to have singer Marc Anthony attached to play Roger. After Lee left the project, it was being developed as an NBC television miniseries with actor Rikki Lee Travolta attached to play Roger. When director Chris Columbus became attached to the project, the director sought to bring as many of the original principle Broadway cast back to their respective roles including bringing in Pascal to play Roger. Singer Justin Timberlake also is reported to have campaigned heavily to both Lee and Columbus for the role of Roger. , but many of the original cast members returned at the insistence of Columbus. The film was released on November 23, 2005.

Most recently, Pascal had a guest role as "Dennis Hofferman", a murder victim, on an episode of Cold Case, which co-starred Tracie Thoms, his co-star from the film version of Rent. The episode, called "Willkommen", was aired on April 2, 2006, and revolved around an amateur production of Cabaret. On July 4th, Adam took part in the Macy's Fourth of July Celebration by singing while fireworks were displayed, as part of the tradition. He also took part in both the fifth and tenth anniverary celebrations of Rent on Broadway. He toured with Larry Edoff in 2006.

Pascal just completed playing the lead in the movie "Goyband" in which he stars as a former boy-band icon who is booked to play a show at a Kosher hotel, but ends up shocking the guests with his sexy show. Fans were invited to participate in the movie as extras for the concert scenes. His co-stars in Goyband are Amy Davidson, Cris Judd, Tovah Feldshuh, Dean Edwards,Tibor Feldman and Natasha Lyonne. Pascal has also completed filming for another movie, American Primitive.

Pascal is currently working on his third solo album, expected to be released in early 2008, with pianist Larry Edoff. He has performed several songs from the album at concerts in 2006 and 2007. Pascal will also be touring to promote his new album in early 2008, and will be doing a show of Broadway songs and covers in the future called "Broadway State of Mind".

Along with original Broadway RENT cast member Anthony Rapp (Mark Cohen), Pascal returned to Broadway to star as Roger Davis in Rent from July 30 to October 7, 2007.

Pascal married writer Cybele Pascal in 1998. They have two sons, Lennon (born October 2001) and Monte (born February 2004).

Filmography:

Actor:

Soundtrack:

Music Albums:

• Civilian
• Model Prisoner

 

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