Raúl Esparza Quick Info | |
---|---|
Height | 5 ft 8 in |
Weight | 76 kg |
Date of Birth | October 24, 1970 |
Zodiac Sign | Scorpio |
Eye Color | Green |
Raúl Esparza is an American actor, singer, and voice artist who is best known for his portrayal of District Attorney Rafael Barba in the crime drama TV series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (2012–2018, 2020). He is also well recognized for playing Dr. Frederick Chilton in the psychological horror-thriller TV series Hannibal (2013-2015). He has had a distinguished stage career as well and has been nominated for the coveted Tony Award in all the categories for which an actor is eligible – ‘Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical’ for the stage musical Taboo (2004), ‘Best Actor in a Musical’ for Company on Broadway (2007), ‘Best Featured Actor in a Play’ for the 2-act play The Homecoming (2004), and ‘Best Actor in a Play’ for the play Speed-the-Plow (2009). As a voice artist, Raúl has narrated several audiobooks including Stephen King‘s Under the Dome (2009). He has also sung in concerts across the United States.
Born Name
Raúl Eduardo Esparza
Nick Name
Raúl
Sun Sign
Scorpio
Born Place
Wilmington, Delaware, United States
Residence
New York City, New York, United States
Nationality
Education
Raúl had graduated from the Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami in 1988. He then joined the New York University and graduated from its Tisch School of the Arts in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Drama and a Bachelor’s degree in English.
Occupation
Actor, Singer, Voice Artist
Family
- Father – He was an engineer.
Genre
Soundtrack
Instruments
Vocals
Labels
- Nonesuch Records Inc.
- RCA Records
- PS Classics
Build
Average
Height
5 ft 8 in or 173 cm
Weight
76 kg or 167.5 lbs
Boyfriend / Girlfriend / Spouse
Raúl has dated –
- Michele Marie Perez (1994–2008) – Raúl got married to his high school girlfriend Michele Marie Perez on October 22, 1994. After nearly a decade and a half of wedlock, the couple parted ways in 2008.
- Nick Mayo (2006) – Rumor
Race / Ethnicity
Hispanic
He is of Cuban descent.
Hair Color
Dark Brown
Eye Color
Green
Sexual Orientation
Bisexual
Distinctive Features
- Short-cropped, spiked hair
- Often sports a rugged beard
- Has a mole on his neck
- Affable smile
Raúl Esparza Facts
- Born in the state of Delaware, Raúl was primarily raised in Miami, Florida, and completed the majority of his schooling there.
- In 1988, his senior year in high school, he had won the ‘Silver Knight Award’ in the category of drama. The annual award, instituted by the Miami Herald newspaper, honors high school seniors in the Miami-Dade and Broward counties of Florida in several categories of excellence.
- He had made waves with his very first stage performance, the portrayal of Riff Raff on Broadway in the revival of the musical The Rocky Horror Show. His performance was recognized with the ‘Outstanding New York Debut’ award at the 2000 Theatre World Awards.
- While he was being interviewed by The New York Times in 2006 for a detailed profile, he revealed that he is bisexual.
- He has won the prestigious Drama Desk Award in the categories of ‘Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical’ for Taboo (2014), ‘Outstanding Actor in a Musical’ for Company on Broadway (2007), and ‘Outstanding Ensemble Performance’ for The Homecoming (2008).
Featured Image by Raúl Esparza / Instagram