J. Harrison Ghee

J. Harrison Ghee (born June 16, 1989) is an American actor, singer, and dancer, best known for their work on Broadway. They first received recognition for their performance as Lola in Kinky Boots. In December 2022, they originated the role of Jerry/Daphne in Some Like It Hot, a stage musical based on the 1959 film of the same name. They won the 2023 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical at the 76th Tony Awards for their performance, and with Alex Newell became the first openly nonbinary actors to be nominated for and to win a Tony Award. In 2024, they won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards.

They originated the role of Andre Mayem in the musical Mrs. Doubtfire on Broadway, a role they also played in the 5th Avenue Theatre in 2019.

Early life J. Harrison Ghee grew up the child of a Southern Baptist pastor and an educator in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They began playing cello in elementary school, later switching to play the bass. Ghee then learned to play trombone, so that they could be in the E. E. Smith High School marching band. After graduating high school in 2007, Ghee attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

Career In 2011, Ghee appeared as part of the ensemble in the Off-Broadway musical Little House on the Ferry, a contemporary gay love story set in Fire Island Pines, New York. The production also featured performers Seph Stanek, Colton Ford, and Kit Balcuns.

Ghee began working professionally at Tokyo Disneyland and on cruise ships. While in Tokyo, Ghee began creating their drag persona, Crystal Demure.

Ghee joined the cast of Mrs. Doubtfire, and began previews before the 2020 closing of Broadway. In 2021, Ghee performed as Velma Kelly in The Muny's production of Chicago, before originating the role of Andre Mayem when Mrs. Doubtfire opened. In 2022, Ghee joined the cast of Some Like It Hot. They are playing Jerry/Daphne, the role played by Jack Lemmon in the film. In 2023, Ghee and Alex Newell became the first openly non-binary actors to be nominated for and win a Tony Award when Ghee won Best Actor in a Musical and Newell won Best Featured Actor in a Musical for Shucked at the 76th Tony Awards. In 2023, they were named as one of OUT Magazine'''s Out 100. In 2024, it was announced they would lead as the Lady Chablis in Jason Robert Brown and Taylor Mac's production of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. That same year, they starred as the Jester in Encores!’s production of Once Upon a Mattress at New York City Center.

They are currently starring in the Broadway production of Hadestown as Hermes as of March 2026.

Personal life Ghee is non-binary and pansexual, and uses he/she/they'' pronouns.

Filmography

Stage credits

Awards and nominations