Award-Winning Actor and Singer Shines Across Film, Television, and Theatre, Currently Starring in Hulu’s ‘Mid-Century Modern’
Nathan Lee Graham stands as a distinctive and versatile talent in the entertainment world, an actor and singer whose unique style and memorable performances have graced film, television, and the stage for over two decades. Instantly recognizable to many for his scene-stealing turn as Todd in the cult classic comedy Zoolander, Graham’s career encompasses a rich tapestry of roles, from originating characters in acclaimed Broadway musicals to bringing complex figures to life on screen. His enduring presence is highlighted by recent projects, including a national tour lead in Hadestown, a key role in the film Theater Camp, and a starring role in the anticipated Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern, demonstrating his continued relevance and dynamism. His journey reflects a deliberate path, one aimed not necessarily at stardom, but at the sustained craft of a “working actor” – a goal he has demonstrably achieved with flair and critical success.
Early Life and Formative Training
Born on September 9, 1968, in St. Louis, Missouri, Nathan Lee Graham’s early life provided a foundation for his future in performance. While St. Louis was his birthplace, his formative years were also spent growing up in Los Angeles before he returned to Missouri for his higher education. This bicoastal experience perhaps contributed to the unique perspective he brings to his work.
His ambition took concrete shape during high school when he articulated a clear goal: to become a “working actor”. This aspiration led him to Webster University’s Sargent Conservatory in St. Louis, a program known for its focus on preparing actors for sustained careers. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Musical Theatre, equipping him with the technical skills in acting, singing, and stagecraft necessary for the versatile career that followed.
During his time at Webster, Graham found a key mentor in Byron Grant, then head of the musical theatre department. Grant instilled in him not only a deep knowledge of musical theatre history and character approach but also crucial principles of professionalism. The advice to “show up on time, know your lines, and don’t be an asshole” became a guiding mantra for Graham, underpinning a work ethic focused on longevity and reliability in the demanding entertainment industry. This conservatory training, emphasizing both artistic skill and professional conduct, laid the groundwork for his ability to navigate diverse roles across stage and screen successfully.
Making a Mark on Stage: Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Beyond
Nathan Lee Graham burst onto the New York theatre scene as part of the original Broadway cast of Michael John LaChiusa’s The Wild Party in 2000, playing Phil D’Armano. The production, though short-lived, earned Tony and Grammy award nominations and allowed Graham to share the stage with legends like Eartha Kitt. His performance caught the eye of Ben Stiller, leading directly to his casting in Zoolander. Graham later reprised the role of Phil D’Armano in the Los Angeles premiere of The Wild Party in 2005, earning the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Performer in a Musical.
His Broadway journey continued in 2011 when he originated the role of the flamboyant Miss Understanding in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert: The Musical, a role he also played in the pre-Broadway Toronto production. Before his principal roles on Broadway, Graham was also part of the ensemble in the national tour revival of the classic musical Show Boat from 1996 to 1998.
More recently, Graham took on the demanding role of Hermes in the First National Tour of the Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown, succeeding original cast member André De Shields from October 2022 to October 2023. Tackling this pivotal role required navigating a rigorous schedule, often involving five-show weekends in new cities weekly, a challenge he met with remarkable consistency. His interpretation, noted for being more “showy” and “mannered” compared to his predecessor, highlighted his distinct artistic approach and stage presence.
Off-Broadway, Graham has consistently originated memorable characters, demonstrating the trust directors place in his creative abilities. He created the role of Willie in the original production of The View UpStairs in 2017, earning a Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical. In 2008, he originated Rey-Rey in Tarell Alvin McCraney’s Wig Out!, receiving a Drama League Award nomination for his performance. His recent Off-Broadway work includes stepping into the role of Ruth in the hit parody musical Titanique in early 2024 and appearing in the chorus of Orlando at the Signature Theatre. He also performed in Ike Holter’s play Hit The Wall, about the Stonewall uprising, in 2013.
Graham’s stage work extends beyond New York. He returned to his hometown to star as the titular character in The Muny’s 2018 revival of The Wiz in St. Louis. His performance in The Colored Museum at Boston’s Huntington Theatre Company earned him the 2016 IRNE Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play. He also made his West End debut in London as part of the ensemble in the premiere production of Dreamgirls in 2016. This consistent creation of roles and acclaimed performances across various theatrical landscapes underscores his reputation as a reliable and dynamic stage presence.
Memorable Performances on Film and Television
While deeply rooted in theatre, Nathan Lee Graham achieved widespread recognition through his work in film and television, successfully translating his unique stage energy to the screen. His breakthrough film role came as Todd, the hilariously intense assistant to fashion designer Mugatu, in Ben Stiller’s Zoolander (2001). Cast directly after Stiller saw him in The Wild Party, the role cemented Graham’s image as a memorable comedic actor with a flair for fashion-related characters, a part he reprised in Zoolander 2 (2016).
Following Zoolander, Graham landed notable supporting roles in major studio comedies, including playing the sophisticated Frederick Montana opposite Reese Witherspoon in Sweet Home Alabama (2002) and the helpful dating coach Geoff alongside Will Smith in Hitch (2005). He continued to appear in films like Trophy Kids (2011) as Barcelona and, more recently, as the dedicated staff member Clive DeWitt in the critically praised mockumentary Theater Camp (2023).
On television, Graham has built an impressive resume of recurring and main roles. He played Bernard, the sharp-witted flight attendant, for 15 episodes of the Fox comedy LA to Vegas (2018). He portrayed François, the assistant to Lucy Hale’s character, across 10 episodes of the CW series Katy Keene (2020). Earlier, he appeared as Peter in Lisa Kudrow’s acclaimed series The Comeback (2005) and had a recurring role as the voice of Darque Noir in the Hulu series Woke (2020-2022).
His guest appearances include memorable turns on popular shows like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (playing different roles in 2010 and 2013), Scrubs, the British comedy Absolutely Fabulous, and Broad City.
Graham’s career trajectory on screen mirrors the broader evolution of queer representation in media. While some earlier comedic roles played into recognizable archetypes, his recent work showcases greater depth and centrality. This is particularly evident in his current main role as Arthur Broussard in Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern (set for 2025 release). Starring alongside Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer, Graham portrays a sophisticated, mature gay man navigating life, loss, and friendship, marking a significant step towards more nuanced leading roles for queer characters and actors. His current work also includes a voice role as Henry Jacobs in the podcast series Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?! (2024) and a role in the upcoming film Miracle on 74th Street.
Recognition: Awards and Accolades
Nathan Lee Graham’s contributions across various entertainment fields have earned him significant recognition and critical acclaim. Perhaps most notably, he is a Grammy Award winner, having received the award for Best Classical Album in 2005 as a featured soloist on William Bolcom’s Songs of Innocence and of Experience.
His stage work has garnered multiple awards and nominations. He won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Featured Performer in a Musical for the 2005 Los Angeles premiere of The Wild Party. In 2016, he received the IRNE Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Play for his performance in The Colored Museum at the Huntington Theatre Company.
Graham has also received prestigious nominations for his Off-Broadway work, including a 2017 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical for The View UpStairs and a Drama League Award nomination for his role in Wig Out!.
In film, he shared the Best of the Fest Award for Ensemble Cast at the 2011 Breckenridge Festival of Film for Trophy Kids.
Beyond performance awards, Graham has been recognized for his advocacy and visibility within the LGBTQ+ community. In 2017, he received the José Esteban Muñoz Award from CLAGS: The Center for LGBTQ Studies at the Graduate Center, CUNY, acknowledging his efforts in promoting queer studies outside traditional academic settings. He is also a recipient of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Visibility Award. This collection of accolades underscores the breadth of his talent and impact, spanning music, theatre, film, and community activism.
The Unmistakable Style and Impact
Nathan Lee Graham possesses a performance style that is uniquely his own, characterized by sharp, precise diction, an expressive physicality, and an energy often described as dazzling or flamboyant. Reviews frequently highlight his “inimitable style,” his ability to command attention, and his masterful comedic timing, often turning sarcasm into an art form. While acknowledging that others perceive him as having a distinct “style,” Graham himself views his cadence and mannerisms as natural extensions of his personality rather than a constructed persona. He identifies more with being “bright and clever and witty” than simply “funny,” suggesting an intellectual underpinning to his comedic performances.
His versatility allows him to navigate effortlessly between humor, vulnerability, and strength, sometimes within a single performance. His stage presence is such that he can make even a simple action seem theatrical. This distinctive approach creates a strong brand identity; while it might occasionally lead to typecasting, it makes him exceptionally memorable and effective in roles that call for wit, flair, and intelligence, contributing significantly to his longevity as a sought-after “working actor”.
A strong sense of collaboration and ensemble work, often attributed to his deep roots in theatre, is another hallmark of Graham’s approach. Colleagues on projects like Mid-Century Modern note the immediate chemistry and supportive environment, emphasizing a shared commitment to vulnerability and achieving the best possible outcome. Graham values authenticity and well-rounded characters, bringing professionalism and dedication honed since his conservatory days to every project.
Underlying his public persona and perhaps his performance is a philosophy he describes as being a “joyful warrior”. This involves leaning into positivity, self-worth, and resilience, resisting fear or negativity. This outlook seems connected to his advocacy work and contributes to the engaging, optimistic energy he often projects, shaping his impact both on and off the stage and screen.
Continued Relevance and Future Directions
Decades into his career, Nathan Lee Graham shows no signs of slowing down, maintaining significant momentum with high-profile projects across multiple platforms. His recent acclaimed run as Hermes in the national tour of Hadestown (2022-2023) placed him at the center of one of contemporary musical theatre’s biggest hits. His role in the 2023 indie film favorite Theater Camp further solidified his connection to current comedic sensibilities.
His stage work continued actively in 2024 with roles in Off-Broadway’s Titanique and Orlando, alongside participation in prominent industry events like Broadway Bares and Pride Plays, showcasing his ongoing engagement with the New York theatre community.
Looking ahead, Graham takes on a major role in the highly anticipated Hulu sitcom Mid-Century Modern, premiering in 2025. Starring alongside Nathan Lane and Matt Bomer, the series represents a significant platform and a continuation of his work in television comedy, playing a complex, mature gay character. Other upcoming projects include the film Miracle on 74th Street and the ongoing voice role in the podcast Does This Murder Make Me Look Gay?!. This consistent stream of prominent work underscores Graham’s enduring appeal and relevance in today’s entertainment landscape.
Conclusion: An Enduring and Distinctive Talent
Nathan Lee Graham’s journey from a St. Louis native aspiring to be a “working actor” to a Grammy-winning, critically acclaimed performer across stage, film, and television is a testament to his talent, training, and tenacity. His career is marked by iconic roles, from the unforgettable Todd in Zoolander to originating characters on Broadway in shows like The Wild Party and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert.
His unique performance style – a blend of sharp wit, theatrical flair, precise diction, and emotional depth – has become his signature, making him a memorable presence in every project he undertakes. Recognized with awards spanning music, theatre, and activism, Graham’s impact extends beyond entertainment, reflecting a commitment to visibility and community.
With significant roles in current and upcoming projects like Hulu’s Mid-Century Modern, Nathan Lee Graham continues to demonstrate his vitality and relevance. He remains a respected, dynamic, and unmistakably distinctive figure in American entertainment, embodying the enduring power of a dedicated working actor who brings intelligence, style, and heart to his craft.
