Last Updated on March 2, 2024
Who Is Lin-Manuel Miranda?
Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American actor, playwright, singer, rapper, composer, producer, and political activist.
As a composer, Miranda is best known for creating and starring in the highly-acclaimed Broadway musicals In the Heights and Hamilton.
Quick Facts
Full Name: | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
Popular Name: | Lin-Manuel Miranda |
Gender: | Male |
Birth Date: | January 16, 1980 |
Age: | 43 years |
Parents: | Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda |
Siblings: | Luz Miranda |
Birth Place: | New York City, New York |
Nationality: | American |
Ethnicity: | Hispanic |
Education: | Hunter College Elementary School, Hunter College High School, and Wesleyan University |
Marital Status: | Married |
Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
Wife/Spouse: | Vanessa Nadal |
Children: | Sebastian Miranda and Francisco Miranda |
Dating: | N/A |
Net Worth: | USD 80 million |
Source of Wealth: | Acting, Singing, Rapping, Composing, Music Production, and Other Ventures |
Height: | 5′ 8″ (1.72 m) |
Weight: | 73 kg; In pounds: 161 lbs. |
Early Life and Career Information
Lin-Manuel Miranda was born on January 16, 1980, in New York City, New York, to Luis A. Miranda Jr. and Dr. Luz Towns-Miranda. His father is a Democratic Party consultant, whereas his mother is a clinical psychologist. Lin-Manuel’s name was inspired by a poem about the Vietnam War by Puerto Rican writer José Manuel Torres Santiago – Nana roja para mi hijo Lin Manuel.
Miranda developed an interest in musical theatre while he was in high school. After graduating from high school, he proceeded to Wesleyan University, where he continued honing his composing skills. He reportedly penned the earliest drafts of his widely-successful Broadway musical, In the Heights, during his sophomore year in college. The show was well-received by the university’s student theater company known as the Second Stage.
Following that positive reception, Miranda polished the musical further by weaving in some freestyle rap and salsa numbers. The show eventually premiered in the institution in 1999. Inspired by the success of his In the Heights musical, Miranda went on to write, direct, and star in several other musicals at Wesleyan before graduating from the university in 2002.
After graduating from university, Lin-Manuel Miranda decided to popularize his In the Heights musical even further. He partnered with theater director Thomas Kail, as well as a team of other professional composers and playwrights to make that happen. The team embarked on a process of revising the musical to make it appealing to a wider audience.
In March 2008, In the Heights eventually debuted on Broadway to a fairly positive reception. The show received 13 Tony Awards nominations and won four, including the Tony Award for Best Musical and the Tony Award for Best Original Score. In the Heights also won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Miranda remained the face of the show until the end of its production on January 9, 2011.
In 2015, Lin-Manuel Miranda came up with yet another sensational musical titled Hamilton: An American Musical. The show officially opened on Broadway on August 6, 2015, and immediately began to rack up positive reviews. It went on to win Tony Award for Best Musical, with Miranda winning Tony Awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, as well as the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
In addition to In the Heights and Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda has involved himself in other musicals, including the 2009 Broadway revival of West Side Story, Bring it On: The Musical (2011), and 21 Chump Street (2014).
Miranda has also pursued a film and television career. He was featured in a 2007 episode of the television series, The Sopranos, and in a 2009 episode of the series House. Other notable television series Miranda has appeared in include Do No Harm, How I Met Your Mother, and Modern Family.
Lin-Manuel Miranda has also composed music for numerous commercials, taught English at his former high school, as well as contributed to the Manhattan Times. He is also associated with the hip hop improv group Freestyle Love Supreme, which he co-founded in 2003.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Net Worth
As of 2023, Lin-Manuel Miranda had a net worth of 80 million. He has earned his wealth from his successful Broadway career, much of which comes from In the Heights and Hamilton musicals.
But while he broke onto the limelight courtesy of In the Heights, a huge chunk of Miranda’s Broadway-related earnings actually came from Hamilton.
For reference, Hamilton had grossed more than $365 million by 2018. And as of December 1, 2020, the musical had grossed more than $500 million. Out of that amount, Lin-Manuel Miranda earns 7% for his role creating and composing the show.
Going by his 7% entitlement in Hamilton, Miranda can easily earn north of $100,000 in royalty check every week whenever the show tours. That works out as $5.5 million in annual revenue from the musical alone.
In February 2020, Miranda received a windfall amount of $70 million after Disney acquired movie rights to Hamilton.
In addition to musicals, Miranda also earns millions from his other endeavors, which include music composing, singing, rapping, music production, and acting.
Lessons from Lin-Manuel Miranda
1. Strive for higher success
Following the success of his In the Heights musical at Wesleyan University, it would have been convenient for Lin-Manuel Miranda to sit back and bask in the glory of his achievements. However, he decided to popularize the show further upon graduation.
2. Pursue numerous income streams
Although he gained prominence as a Broadway sensation, Lin-Manuel Miranda has also pursued additional income streams, including singing, rapping, music composition, etc.
3. Partner with big brands
Lin-Manuel Miranda has maintained a close relationship with Disney since 2014 when he contributed lyrics and music to the movie Moana. That partnership bore huge fruits in early 2020 after Disney decided to purchase rights to his Hamilton musical.
Famous Quotes by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Death doesn’t discriminate between the sinners and the saints, it takes and it takes and it takes, and we keep living anyway.
“I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable; I am an original. I’m not falling behind or running late. I’m not standing still: I am lying in wait.
If art can help us grieve, can help us mourn, then lean on it. “
“I’ll make the world safe and sound for you.”
“You cannot let all the world’s tragedies into your heart. You’ll drown. But the ones you do let in should count. Let them manifest action
Final Word
Lin-Manuel Miranda has undeniably revolutionized the Broadway industry, thanks to his captivating musicals. In addition to composing critically-acclaimed musicals, Miranda has also involved himself in numerous income-generating ventures, which explains his impressive $80 million net worth.