Denée Ayana Benton (born December 31, 1991)[1] is an American actress and singer. She is best known for her performance as Natasha Rostova in the 2016 musical Natasha, Pierre, & The Great Comet of 1812 on Broadway, for which she was nominated for a Tony Award.[2][3] Benton assumed the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, beginning performances on October 30, 2018.[4] Her television acting credits include UnREAL and The Gilded Age.
Denée Benton | |
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![]() Benton in 2017 | |
Born | (1991-12-31) December 31, 1991 (age 30) Orlando, Florida, U.S. |
Education | Carnegie Mellon University (BFA) |
Occupation | Actor, singer |
Years active | 2013–present |
Spouse | Carl Lundstedt (m. 2020) |
Benton was raised in Eustis, Florida.[1] She named Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella as an early inspiration for her desire to act.[5]
She attended Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida, before graduating from Carnegie Mellon University in 2014.[3]
Benton's first prominent professional role was her role as Nabulungi in the West End and U.S. national tour of The Book of Mormon. Later she was cast in the titular role of Natasha in Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 with the American Repertory Theatre; she made her Broadway debut when that show opened at the Imperial Theatre on November 14, 2016.[3] Benton received a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical nomination for her role in the show.[5] She appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on December 12, 2016, to discuss the role.
Benton gained wider prominence in her recurring role on the second season of the Lifetime series, UnREAL, as Ruby Carter in 2016.[6][7]
On October 17, 2018, it was announced that Benton would assume the role of Eliza Hamilton in the Broadway production of Hamilton, beginning performances on October 30.[4] She left the show on February 24, 2019.[8]
As of 2022, Benton is a main cast member on the HBO historical drama series The Gilded Age, playing Peggy Scott.[1] It was announced in February 2022 that HBO was going to renew this show for a second season.[9] It was announced that Benton would play the role of Cinderella in the 2022 production of Stephen Sondheim's Into the Woods at New York City Center.[10]
Benton began dating Carl Lundstedt in 2014, whom she met in her acting program at Carnegie Mellon University. They married in 2020.[11]
Year(s) | Production | Role | Location | Category |
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2014–15 | The Book of Mormon | Nabulungi | N/A | U.S. National Tour |
Prince of Wales Theatre | West End | |||
2015–16 | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Natasha Rostova | American Repertory Theater | Regional, Pre-Broadway |
2016–17 | Imperial Theatre | Broadway | ||
2017 | Of Thee I Sing | Mary Turner | Carnegie Hall | MasterVoices Concert |
2018–19 | Hamilton | Eliza Hamilton | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Broadway |
2022 | Into the Woods | Cinderella | New York City Center | Encores! |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2013 | The Narrative of Dalvin Reynolds | Felicia | Short film |
2018 | Mother's Milk | Lark | |
2019 | Our Friend | Charlotte |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2016 | UnREAL | Ruby Carter | 10 episodes |
2018 | 25 | Morgan | Television film |
2022 | The Gilded Age | Peggy Scott | Main cast[12] |
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
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2017 | Tony Award | Best Actress in a Musical | Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 | Nominated | |
Drama League Award | Distinguished Performance | Nominated | |||
Theatre World Award | Honoree |
The actress, who played Natasha...at Boston's American Repertory Theater this past winter, has been chosen to reprise her performance for Broadway...
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National libraries | |
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