History of Anthony Rapp in Timeline

Anthony Rapp is an American actor and singer best known for his stage and screen work. He gained recognition for originating the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway musical "Rent" and reprised the role in the film adaptation. His other notable stage credits include "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" and "If/Then". Rapp has also appeared in the television series "Star Trek: Discovery" as Commander Paul Stamets.

October 26, 1971: Anthony Rapp's Birth

Anthony Deane Rapp was born on October 26, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois.

1974: Parents' Divorce

Anthony Rapp's parents divorced in 1974, after which he was raised by his mother, a nurse.

1981: Broadway Debut in "The Little Prince and the Aviator"

Anthony Rapp made his Broadway debut in 1981 in "The Little Prince and the Aviator," a musical based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince," which closed during previews.

1983: Anonymous Accusation Against Spacey

In 1983, an anonymous man joined Anthony Rapp in his suit against Kevin Spacey, accusing Spacey of sexually abusing him when he was 14 and Spacey was 23.

1986: Alleged Sexual Advance by Kevin Spacey

Anthony Rapp alleges that Kevin Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance towards him in 1986 when Rapp was 14 years old and Spacey was 26.

1986: Alleged Incident with Kevin Spacey

In 1986, an alleged incident of sexual misconduct involving Anthony Rapp, then 14, and actor Kevin Spacey, then 26, is said to have occurred.

1987: Film Debut in "Adventures in Babysitting"

Anthony Rapp made his screen debut in the 1987 film "Adventures in Babysitting," directed by Chris Columbus.

1989: Moved to New York to Attend NYU

In 1989, Anthony Rapp relocated to New York City to study film at New York University but left after a semester.

September 1994: "Rent" Callback and Role Offer

Anthony Rapp received his callback for "Rent" in September 1994 and was subsequently offered the role of Mark Cohen.

1996: Originated Role of Mark Cohen in "Rent"

In 1996, Anthony Rapp originated the role of Mark Cohen in the Broadway production of "Rent."

1997: Death of Mother

Anthony Rapp's mother, who had been battling cancer, passed away in 1997 at the age of 55.

1997: Publicly Discussed Sexual Orientation

In a 1997 interview with Oasis magazine, Anthony Rapp publicly addressed his sexual orientation, identifying as "queer."

1999: Starred in "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown" Revival

Anthony Rapp took on the role of Charlie Brown in the 1999 Broadway revival of "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown."

2000: Debut Solo Album "Look Around" Released

Anthony Rapp released his debut solo album, "Look Around," in 2000.

2001: Previous Mention of Incident

Anthony Rapp had previously alluded to the 1986 incident with Kevin Spacey during a 2001 interview with The Advocate, but Spacey's name was omitted from publication to prevent legal repercussions and maintain privacy.

November 23, 2005: Release of "Rent" Film Adaptation

The film adaptation of "Rent," in which Anthony Rapp reprised his role as Mark Cohen, was released on November 23, 2005.

2005: Starred in "Feeling Electric" World Premiere

Anthony Rapp played The Doctor in the world premiere of "Feeling Electric" (later "Next to Normal") at the New York Musical Theatre Festival in 2005.

2006: Publication of Memoir "Without You"

Anthony Rapp published his memoir, "Without You: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and the Musical Rent," in 2006, after six years of writing.

October 7, 2007: Return to "Rent" on Broadway

Anthony Rapp returned to the Broadway stage as Mark Cohen in "Rent" alongside original cast member Adam Pascal, concluding their run on October 7, 2007.

2007: Development of One-Man Show

Anthony Rapp began developing a one-man stage show incorporating music, based on his memoir "Without You," in 2007.

2008: Assistant Director for "Next to Normal"

Anthony Rapp served as assistant director to Michael Greif for the Off-Broadway run of "Next to Normal" in 2008 and penned the introduction for the published script.

January 6, 2009: National Tour of "Rent"

Anthony Rapp, Adam Pascal, and Gwen Stewart, all original cast members, embarked on a national tour of "Rent" starting January 6, 2009.

2009: "Rent" United States Tour

Anthony Rapp reprised his role as Mark Cohen in the United States tour of "Rent" in 2009.

December 11, 2012: Release of "Without You" Stage Show Recording

A recording of Anthony Rapp's one-man show based on his memoir "Without You" was released on December 11, 2012, by PS Classics.

2012: Recognized as Openly Gay Actor

Metro Weekly referred to Anthony Rapp as "one of the first openly gay men on Broadway" in 2012.

December 15, 2013: Appearance in "Psych: The Musical"

Anthony Rapp appeared in "Psych: The Musical," an episode of the TV series "Psych," which premiered on USA Network on December 15, 2013.

March 5, 2014: "If/Then" Broadway Previews Begin

Previews for "If/Then," starring Anthony Rapp and Idina Menzel, commenced on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater on March 5, 2014.

2014: Originated Role of Lucas in "If/Then"

Anthony Rapp originated the role of Lucas in the musical "If/Then" in 2014.

March 22, 2015: "If/Then" Closes on Broadway

"If/Then" concluded its Broadway run on March 22, 2015.

August 29, 2016: Special Guest at Cubs Game

A devoted Chicago Cubs fan, Anthony Rapp threw the ceremonial first pitch and performed the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a Cubs game on August 29, 2016.

2016: "If/Then" National Tour

Anthony Rapp reprised his role as Lucas in the 2015-2016 national tour of "If/Then" with Idina Menzel and the original Broadway cast.

2016: Cast as Paul Stamets in "Star Trek: Discovery"

Anthony Rapp was cast as Lt. Commander Paul Stamets, notably the first openly gay character in the "Star Trek" television series, in "Star Trek: Discovery" in 2016.

October 2017: Public Accusation Against Kevin Spacey

In October 2017, Anthony Rapp publicly accused actor Kevin Spacey of making an unwanted sexual advance towards him in 1986 when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26, during an interview with BuzzFeed.

2017: Joined "Star Trek: Discovery" Cast

Anthony Rapp joined the cast of the television series "Star Trek: Discovery" as Commander Paul Stamets, marking his first regular television role, in 2017.

2017: Sexual Misconduct Allegation Against Kevin Spacey

During the #MeToo movement in 2017, Anthony Rapp publicly accused actor Kevin Spacey of sexual misconduct that allegedly took place in 1986.

November 2019: Engagement to Ken Ithiphol

Anthony Rapp announced his engagement to his partner, Ken Ithiphol, in November 2019.

September 9, 2020: Anthony Rapp Sued Kevin Spacey

On September 9, 2020, Anthony Rapp took legal action against Kevin Spacey by suing him for sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress under the Child Victims Act, which extended New York's statute of limitations for civil suits related to child sexual abuse. Rapp sought $40 million in damages.

October 20, 2022: Jury Decision on Spacey Lawsuit

On October 20, 2022, a jury found Kevin Spacey not liable in the lawsuit filed by Anthony Rapp, which accused Spacey of sexual misconduct.

2022: Civil Case Against Kevin Spacey

Anthony Rapp filed an unsuccessful civil case against Kevin Spacey in 2022 based on the alleged 1986 sexual misconduct. A jury found Spacey not liable.