Biography
Daveed Diggs — actor (hamilton) with roots in the Russian Empire
Daveed Diggs is an American actor, rapper, and playwright best known for originating the dual roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton on Broadway, winning a Tony Award. He is also the frontman of experimental hip-hop group clipping. and has acted in numerous films and television series.
Russian Connection
Tracing the roots — Russia (Jewish)
Diggs's mother Barbara Oberman is of Russian-Jewish descent, her family part of the Eastern European Jewish emigration to America. Growing up in Oakland with this mixed heritage — his father is Black — shaped the unique perspective that powers his art.
Family Tree
Subject
Daveed Diggs🇺🇸 USA
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Mother
Barbara Oberman
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Origin
Russia (Jewish)🇷🇺 Russian Empire
Historical context
Russian Empire · c. 1721–1917
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Russia (Jewish). At the time, this region lay within the Russian Empire, which spanned from Poland to the Pacific.
Map: Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)
Key Achievements
A career defined by ambition
01
Hamilton (Broadway) — Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical (2016)
02
Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album — Hamilton (2016)
03
Frontman of experimental hip-hop group clipping.
04
Snowpiercer (TNT, 2020-2022) — lead role
05
Voiced Clawhauser in Zootopia (2016)
"Hamilton let me do everything I've ever wanted to do at once."
Daveed Diggs
Sources