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Taye Diggs (born Scott L. Diggs; January 2, 1971) is an American theatre, film and television actor. Described by Ebony magazine as “the black Clark Gable,” actor Taye Diggs’ range of talent placed him closer to the moniker bestowed upon him by The Los Angeles Times, which labeled him “the black Cary Grant.” Like the Hollywood legend, the New Jersey-born Diggs was both skilled and comfortable in almost any entertainment genre – from television to theater to film; from comedies to musicals to straight drama and action thriller fantasy, as his ABC series, “Day Break” (2006- ) would be considered. And like Grant, Diggs exuded an effortless charm and class that had for years, endeared him to both male and female audiences. In 2006, Diggs returned to TV in two high-profile projects – first as Eric McCormack’s boyfriend in the final season of “Will and Grace” (1998-2006); and second, as the star of ABC’s “Day Break” (2006- ). The “Groundhog Day”-like show, concerned a detective (Diggs) who is able to relive a day in which he is accused of murder in order to discover the true killer. The series made its debut in November of 2006 in the time slot afforded to “Lost” (2004- ) while that series went on a mid-season hiatus. Diggs was born in New Jersey, the son of Marcia (née Berry), a teacher and actress, and Jeffries Diggs. He was raised in Rochester, New York, where he attended The School of The Arts. He is the oldest of five children; he has two brothers and two sisters. Diggs received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in musical theater from Syracuse University. He performed many times at the popular Lakes Region Summer Theatre in Meredith, New Hampshire. Diggs's Broadway debut was in the ensemble cast of the 1994 Tony Award-winning revival of the musical Carousel. He dropped out of high school his sophomore year. In 1996, he got his big break, originating the role of the nasty landlord Benny in Jonathan Larson's Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning Rent. After Rent he appeared as Mr. Black alongside Idina Menzel's Kate in Andrew Lippa's off-Broadway production of The Wild Party. Diggs also played Billy Flynn in the long-running Broadway revival of Chicago and temporarily filled in for Norbert Leo Butz (an original Rent standby) as the love interest Fiyero of Idina Menzel's Elphaba character in Wicked. Diggs then moved from stage to television, with a role on the soap opera Guiding Light. In 1998, he made his film debut in How Stella Got Her Groove Back. This movie brought Diggs much acclaim and exposure. The following year he played a tantric sex god in Doug Liman's Go, and an AWOL groom in the coming-of-age drama The Wood. Malcolm D. Lee's The Best Man features Diggs as the titular character, an author and best friend of the groom (portrayed by Morris Chestnut). He also starred in the remake of William Castle's The House on Haunted Hill. Taye Diggs was featured in an episode of America's Next Top Model, to help the contestants through an acting challenge. Diggs portrayed the title character on the short-lived UPN television series Kevin Hill. He reprised the role of Benny for the 2005 Rent film. Diggs is featured on the following cast recordings: Carousel 1994 revival cast; Rent 1996 original Broadway cast; The Wild Party original off-Broadway cast. He also sings on the Rent film soundtrack. In 2003, Diggs was on Punk'd after being tricked by Ashton Kutcher, while getting a check-up at a Punk'd-operated doctor's office. In early 2006, Diggs guest-starred for several episodes as Will Truman's love interest, James, on the final season of Will & Grace. In May, ABC picked up his pilot, Day Break, in which he portrayed a detective trapped in the same day and forced to relive it to clear his name of murder; the show debuted in mid-November 2006, but was abruptly canceled due to poor ratings. Although his film and television career continues to move forward, he still returns to the stage frequently. Most recently he was seen alongside James McDaniel in Charles Fuller's A Soldier's Play at Second Stage Theatre in New York. Diggs co-stars opposite Kate Walsh in Private Practice, the fall 2007 spin-off of Grey's Anatomy. Graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in musical theater. Portrayed Benny, the evil landlord in the Tony Award winning stage production of "Rent". As of April, 2002 Taye is engaged to Broadway actress and singer Idina Menzel. Was called "Scottaye" by friends, then shortened his name to "Taye". Won the role of "Winston Shakespeare" in How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), even though the casting directors were searching for a tall black man with dreads. Was a cast member at Tokyo Disneyland before he got the job in "Rent". Has two younger brothers and two younger sisters. Appeared on stage with his wife Idina Menzel in the shows: "Rent," "The Wild Party," and "Wicked.". Married Idina Menzel at the same Jamacian resort where How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998) was filmed. Shares a birthday with Brandon DeShazer, Cuba Gooding Jr., Kate Bosworth, and Dax Shepard. Diggs married his Rent, Wild Party, and Wicked Broadway co-star Idina Menzel on January 11, 2003 after dating for 7 years. They have a Yorkshire Terrier named Sammy Davis, Jr. and two cats named Ella and Coltrane, who they call their "jazz cats." |
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