Will Chase

Born: 1970-09-12

Place of birth: Frankfort, Kentucky, USA

Will Chase (born September 12, 1970) is an American actor and singer, best known for his work in Broadway musicals. Chase was born in Frankfort, Kentucky to Jerry and Betty Chase and is the youngest of three boys. He graduated from Western Hills High School and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, where he majored in Percussion studied conducting with Robert Spano and percussion. He first performed in a Broadway show in 1998 as the "Squeegee Man" and "Roger" understudy in Rent; he also starred as the last Roger in the final Broadway company of Rent, which was recorded for the theatrical release Rent: Filmed Live on Broadway. His additional Broadway credits include Miss Saigon (with the original star Lea Salonga playing Kim to close the Broadway production), The Full Monty as Jerry Lukowski replacement (2001), Lennon (2005), and Aida (Radames replacement, 2003–04). He reprised the role of Radames at The Muny in St. Louis in June and July 2006. In 2005, he played Neville Craven in the 2005 World AIDS Day The Secret Garden concert. In 2006 he starred in the short lived High Fidelity on Broadway, and starred as Valentin in Kiss of the Spider Woman at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA, for which he received a 2009 Helen Hayes Nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor. He appeared in The Pajama Game opposite Kate Baldwin at The Muny in July 2007. Chase's television guest appearances include the recurring role of Pat Mahoney on "Rescue Me", "Cupid", "Canterbury's Law", Law & Order, Third Watch, Conviction, and "Queens Supreme". He had a small role in the 2000 film Shaft. Chase was in the short-lived Broadway musical The Story of My Life, with Malcolm Gets in February 2009. Chase also recently guest-starred in the "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" episode "Passion" in July 2009. Chase joined the cast of Billy Elliot: The Musical at the Imperial Theatre as Billy's older brother, Tony, on July 7, 2009. His most recent television appearances include Halmark's "The Lost Valentine" alongside Jennifer Love Hewitt and Betty White, and the 2011 season finale of "Royal Pains" (USA). He has two daughters, Daisy and Gracie from a previous marriage. He married Stephanie Gibson on November 15, 2009.