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. Ghee first tried drag in college when they played a female wrestler.

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.Cox, Gordon. 2022. “The Great White Way’s Bright New Talent.” Variety 357 (14): 110–15. While in Tokyo, Ghee began creating their drag persona, Crystal Demure. When Ghee went to audition for Motown, they took the opportunity to share with the casting directors, who also worked on Kinky Boots, their story and connection with the Kinky Boots character Lola and were eventually cast as Lola in their Broadway debut. Ghee was the first established drag performer to take on the role. Ghee eventually joined the national touring production of the show.

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 starred in the Broadway production of Hadestown as Hermes from March to August of 2026.Gans, Andrew J. Harrison Ghee, Joshua Colley, Jordan Tyson, Gary Dourdan, Gaby Moreno to Join Hadestown on Broadway Playbill, January 14, 2026 In 2026 Ghee was cast in the US national tour of Oh, Mary!. They were scheduled to star first as Mary's husband starting in September 2026, then as Mary beginning in January 2027. Due to health reasons their debut was pushed back to November 2026. They will be the first actor to play both roles.

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

Ghee was diagnosed with kidney disease in 2022, and as of 2026 is on the waiting list for a transplant.

Filmography +YearTitleRoleNotes2018High MaintenanceCarlEpisode: "Globo"2019"Heather Mae: Be Not Afraid"DancerMusic Video2019Raising DionKwame7 episodes2021Over My Dead BodyJackéeShort Film2023AccusedKevin Milstead/Robyn BlindEpisode: "Robyn's Story"

Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2011Little House on the FerryPerformerOff-Off-Broadway, American Theatre of Actors2015Kinky BootsLola (replacement)U.S. National Tour2017Broadway, Al Hirschfeld Theatre2018The StingJohnny HookerRegional, Paper Mill Playhouse2019Mrs. DoubtfireAndre MayemRegional, 5th Avenue Theatre2021ChicagoVelma KellyRegional, The Muny2022Mrs. DoubtfireAndre MayemBroadway, Stephen Sondheim TheatreSome Like It HotJerry/DaphneBroadway, Shubert Theatre2024Midnight in the Garden of Good and EvilThe Lady ChablisRegional, Goodman TheatreOnce Upon a MattressJesterOff-Broadway, New York City Center Encores!2025Saturday ChurchEnsembleOff-Broadway, New York Theatre Workshop2026HadestownHermes (replacement)Broadway, Walter Kerr TheatreOh, Mary!Mary's HusbandU.S. National Tour2027Oh, Mary! Mary Todd LincolnU.S. National Tour

Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef2023Tony AwardBest Actor in a MusicalSome Like It HotDrama Desk AwardOutstanding Lead Performance in a MusicalDrama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Lead Performer in a Broadway MusicalChita Rivera AwardOutstanding Dancer in a Broadway Show2024Grammy AwardsBest Musical Theater Album2026Lucille Lortel AwardOutstanding Lead Performer in a MusicalSaturday ChurchOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical

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