Andrew Rannells

A handsome, immensely gifted actor-singer, Andrew Rannells broke into showbiz with a string of roles in animated projects like "Street Sharks" (syndicated, 1994-95), "Pokémon" (syndicated, 1998-99; Kids WB!, 1999-2006; Cartoon Network, 2006- ) and "Sonic X" (Fox, 2003-04), where he also earned credits directing the entire voiceover cast. He achieved stardom, however, on Broadway when he dazzled in "Hairspray" and "Jersey Boys" before originating the role of Elder Kevin Price in the irreverent smash "The Book of Mormon." Rannells made the leap to screen acting with small roles in the films "Sex and the City 2" (2010) and "Bachelorette" (2012), but made a bigger impression recurring as Elijah, the hot-tempered, gay ex-boyfriend of Hannah (Lena Dunham) on "Girls" (HBO, 2012- ). Openly gay himself, Rannells landed the part of a lifetime as one-half of a happy gay couple who hire a surrogate and find themselves meshing and clashing with her family on Ryan Murphy's controversial sitcom "The New Normal" (NBC, 2012-13). Enormously talented and likable, Andrew Rannells proved equally adept on stage and on screen.