Anthony Deane Rapp is an American actor and singer who originated the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway production of Rent. Following his original performance of the role in 1996, Rapp reprised it in the film version of the show and then the show’s United States Tour in 2009.
He also performed the role of Charlie Brown in the 1999 Broadway revival of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown and originated the role of Lucas in the musical If/Then in 2014. He currently plays Lieutenant Commander Paul Stamets on the television series Star Trek: Discovery. Rapp also appeared in “Psych: The Musical”, an episode of the TV series Psych, which premiered on USA Network on December 15, 2013.
In 2016, Rapp was cast in Star Trek: Discovery as Lt. Commander Paul Stamets, the first openly gay character in the Star Trek television series. This was Rapp’s first television regular role; while he had watched some Star Trek as a child, he watched “curated lists” of episodes from the multiple series to prepare for the role.
Anthony Rapp’s Parents: Meet Douglas Rapp and Mary Lee Baird
Rapp was born on October 26, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in nearby Joliet, Illinois, to Mary Lee (née Baird) and Douglas Rapp. After his parents’ divorce in 1974, he was raised by his mother, a trained nurse.