Jonathan Groff: A Reflection on Career, Art, and Personal Growth

The captivating actor and singer, Jonathan Groff, has graced our screens and stages for over two decades. With a career that began in the late 90s, he’s proven himself to be a versatile talent, seamlessly transitioning between theater, film, and television. From his Tony-nominated performances on Broadway to his memorable roles in Disney’s Frozen and HBO’s groundbreaking series Looking, Groff has consistently demonstrated his commitment to excellence.

Reflecting on his journey, it’s hard not to see how his own life has mirrored the themes of his current Broadway role in Merrily We Roll Along. In the musical, his character, Frank Shepard, contemplates the series of events that have led him to where he is. As Groff shares, “It’s this idea of how did you get here? How did you become this person?” A question he too has pondered throughout his career.

Despite his success, Groff’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. From navigating the industry as an openly gay actor to managing the pressures of fame and success, Groff has learned to confront darkness and despair head-on. He explains that in both life and art, there is often a tendency to avoid engaging with pain. But he emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and honesty in overcoming life’s challenges.

This wisdom has allowed Groff to cultivate a career that is not only successful but deeply personal. From his Tony-nominated roles in Spring Awakening and Hamilton to his voice work as Kristoff and Sven in Disney’s Frozen, Groff has consistently infused his work with his unique perspective and infectious energy.

Now, as he celebrates the 10th anniversary of Looking and embarks on a new chapter in his career, it’s clear that Groff’s journey has only just begun. Like his character in Merrily We Roll Along, he has reached a pivotal moment of reflection, but his future remains bright. And with his talent, resilience, and dedication, there’s no doubt that Jonathan Groff will continue to captivate audiences for many years to come.

The eschewing of awards recognition is also very anti-Frank. However, Groff also recognizes the importance of a good speech, like the “beautiful and touching and inspirational” words for the LGBTQ+ community that Hamilton’s Lin-Manuel Miranda gave at the Tonys after the Pulse nightclub shooting. If he has the opportunity to give his own remarks onstage, “I’ll attempt to honor whatever is happening in that moment,” he promises.

For now, Groff feels like his character at the end of Merrily, as three starry-eyed young friends look to the skies and imagine what dreams may come. “We gotta be the luckiest people who ever lived,” he quotes. 

In the episode from the US, Nancy and Sarah engage in a conversation with the renowned Jonathan Groff, who is presently taking on a leading role on Broadway in Stephen Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along alongside Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez.

“I feel that. I really like to be living in this time and working in this way,” he says. “It’s more than I ever could have dreamt of. And so I just wanna soak it in, take it in, and keep going.”

Actor | Jonathan Groff
Photo | Dean Isidro (@deanisidro) with De Facto (@defactoinc)
Mag | @outmagazine
AD | @tworaine
Writer | @dnlreynolds
Stylist | @ecduzit
Glam | @akgroomer
Post | @kassiejphoto
Special thanks | @jenziet@theduplex_nyc

This cover story is part of the Out 2024 May/June issue, which hits newsstands on May 28.