History of Ben Platt in Timeline

Ben Platt is a renowned American actor and singer, born to producer Marc Platt and philanthropist Julie Platt. He started his career in musical theater as a child, performing in The Sound of Music and The Book of Mormon. He gained significant recognition for his lead role in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen (2015-2017), which won him a Tony Award, a Daytime Emmy, and a Grammy Award. Platt reprised his role in the 2021 film adaptation, also produced by his father. In 2022, he played Leo Frank in the New York City Center Gala production of Parade, which moved to Broadway in 2023, earning him another Tony and Grammy nomination.

September 24, 1993: Birth of Ben Platt

Ben Platt was born on September 24, 1993.

2006: The Sound of Music

In 2006, Ben Platt appeared in a production of The Sound of Music.

2011: Harvard-Westlake Graduation

Ben Platt graduated from Harvard-Westlake School in 2011.

December 19, 2012: The Book of Mormon in Chicago

Ben Platt starred as Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Chicago production of The Book of Mormon, which premiered on December 19, 2012.

2012: The Book of Mormon

Ben Platt appeared in The Book of Mormon from 2012 to 2015.

2012: Pitch Perfect

Ben Platt appeared in the Pitch Perfect film series from 2012 to 2017.

October 6, 2013: Chicago Book of Mormon closes

The Chicago production of The Book of Mormon, starring Ben Platt, closed on October 6, 2013.

2013: Teen Choice Award Nomination

Ben Platt was nominated for a Teen Choice Award for his role in Pitch Perfect in 2013.

January 7, 2014: Broadway Debut in Book of Mormon

Ben Platt reprised his role as Elder Cunningham in The Book of Mormon on Broadway starting January 7, 2014.

2014: Involvement in Dear Evan Hansen Development

Ben Platt became involved in the development of Dear Evan Hansen in 2014.

January 6, 2015: Broadway run ends

Ben Platt's run in the Broadway production of The Book of Mormon ended on January 6, 2015.

July 9, 2015: Dear Evan Hansen Premiere at Arena Stage

Dear Evan Hansen, starring Ben Platt, premiered at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. on July 9, 2015.

August 23, 2015: Arena Stage run ends

The run of Dear Evan Hansen at Arena Stage concluded on August 23, 2015.

2015: Ricki and the Flash

Ben Platt appeared in the film Ricki and the Flash in 2015.

2015: Dear Evan Hansen

Ben Platt originated the title role in Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway from 2015 to 2017.

2015: Pitch Perfect 2

Ben Platt reprised his role as Benji Applebaum in Pitch Perfect 2 in 2015.

March 26, 2016: Dear Evan Hansen Off-Broadway Previews

Previews for Dear Evan Hansen, starring Ben Platt, began at Second Stage Theatre on March 26, 2016.

May 1, 2016: Dear Evan Hansen Off-Broadway Premiere

Dear Evan Hansen officially premiered Off-Broadway on May 1, 2016.

May 26, 2016: Off-Broadway run ends

Ben Platt's run in the Off-Broadway production of Dear Evan Hansen ended on May 26, 2016.

December 2016: Dear Evan Hansen Opens on Broadway

Dear Evan Hansen opened on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre, starring Ben Platt, in December 2016.

November 19, 2017: Final Broadway Performance in Dear Evan Hansen

Ben Platt played his final performance as Evan Hansen on Broadway on November 19, 2017.

2017: Pitch Perfect series concludes

Ben Platt finished his appearances in the Pitch Perfect film series in 2017.

2017: Record Deal with Atlantic Records

Ben Platt signed a record deal with Atlantic Records in 2017.

2017: Atlantic Records Signing

Ben Platt signed with Atlantic Records in 2017.

2017: Time 100

Ben Platt was included in the Time 100 list of most influential people in 2017.

2017: Dear Evan Hansen and other accolades

Ben Platt's run in Dear Evan Hansen ended in 2017. He also won a Tony Award for his performance.

January 28, 2018: Grammy Performance

Ben Platt performed at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on January 28, 2018.

March 1, 2018: Casting in Broken Diamonds

Ben Platt was confirmed to star in the film Broken Diamonds on March 1, 2018.

March 2018: Ben Platt Cast in "The Politician"

In March 2018, Ben Platt was announced as the lead in the Netflix series "The Politician".

March 19, 2018: "Found/Tonight" Release

Ben Platt and Lin-Manuel Miranda released "Found/Tonight" on March 19, 2018.

March 24, 2018: March for Our Lives Performance

Ben Platt performed with Lin-Manuel Miranda at the March for Our Lives rally in Washington, D.C. on March 24, 2018.

November 29, 2018: "Dear Evan Hansen" Film Rights Secured

On November 29, 2018, Universal Pictures and Marc Platt secured the film rights to "Dear Evan Hansen".

January 2019: Sing to Me Instead Announcement

Ben Platt's debut album, Sing to Me Instead, was announced in January 2019.

March 2019: Sing to Me Instead Release

Ben Platt released his debut studio album, Sing to Me Instead, in March 2019.

March 29, 2019: Sing to Me Instead Release

Ben Platt's debut album, Sing to Me Instead, was released on March 29, 2019.

May 2019: First North American Tour Begins

Ben Platt embarked on his first North American tour in May 2019.

August 23, 2019: "Rain" Release

Ben Platt released the single "Rain" on August 23, 2019.

August 29, 2019: Casting in "Merrily We Roll Along" Film Adaptation

On August 29, 2019, Ben Platt's casting in Richard Linklater's film adaptation of "Merrily We Roll Along", alongside Beanie Feldstein and Blake Jenner, was announced. The film is a long-term project, set to be filmed over 20 years.

September 10, 2019: "Rain" Music Video Release

The music video for "Rain" was released on September 10, 2019.

September 27, 2019: "The Politician" Premieres

Ben Platt starred as Payton Hobart in the Netflix series "The Politician", which premiered on September 27, 2019. The series follows a driven teenager with aspirations of becoming the U.S. President.

September 29, 2019: North American Tour Ends

Ben Platt's North American tour concluded with a concert at Radio City Music Hall on September 29, 2019.

2019: Run This Town and The Politician

Ben Platt appeared in the film Run This Town and began starring in the Netflix series The Politician in 2019.

April 21, 2020: Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall Announcement

The Netflix release of Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall was announced on April 21, 2020.

May 8, 2020: Release of "So Will I"

Ben Platt released the single "So Will I" on May 8, 2020.

May 2020: Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall

The concert film Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall debuted on Netflix in May 2020.

May 20, 2020: Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall Release

Ben Platt Live from Radio City Music Hall was released on Netflix on May 20, 2020.

June 8, 2020: Release of "Everything I Did to Get to You"

On June 8, 2020, Ben Platt released the single "Everything I Did to Get to You", written by David Davis, the winner of Platt's episode of NBC's "Songland".

June 18, 2020: Ben Platt Confirmed to Reprise Role in "Dear Evan Hansen" Film

On June 18, 2020, Ben Platt was confirmed to reprise his role as Evan Hansen in the film adaptation.

March 2, 2021: Ben Platt in Talks for "The People We Hate at the Wedding"

On March 2, 2021, it was announced that Ben Platt was in talks to star in the film adaptation of "The People We Hate at the Wedding".

April 1, 2021: Broken Diamonds Premiere

The film Broken Diamonds premiered at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on April 1, 2021.

April 2021: "Imagine" Teaser Released

In April 2021, Ben Platt teased the chorus of his new single, "Imagine", on TikTok.

April 23, 2021: Release of "Imagine"

Ben Platt's single "Imagine" was released on April 23, 2021.

May 18, 2021: "Dear Evan Hansen" Trailer Release and Casting Controversy

The trailer for "Dear Evan Hansen" was released on May 18, 2021, sparking controversy about Ben Platt's casting as Evan Hansen due to his age.

May 28, 2021: Release of "Imagine" Remix

On May 28, 2021, a remix of "Imagine" by Tiësto was released.

June 25, 2021: Release of "Yoü and I" Cover

Ben Platt released a cover version of Lady Gaga's "Yoü and I" on June 25, 2021, as part of the tenth anniversary of the "Born This Way" album.

July 8, 2021: Ben Platt's Casting Confirmed for "The People We Hate at the Wedding"

Ben Platt's casting in "The People We Hate at the Wedding" was confirmed on July 8, 2021, with Amazon Studios producing.

July 16, 2021: Release of "Happy to Be Sad"

Ben Platt released the single "Happy to Be Sad" on July 16, 2021.

July 23, 2021: Broken Diamonds Release

Broken Diamonds was released in the United States on July 23, 2021.

August 8, 2021: Ben Platt Addresses Casting Controversy

On August 8, 2021, Ben Platt addressed the "Dear Evan Hansen" casting controversy in an interview with Zach Sang, defending his involvement in the project.