Jonny Beauchamp may not have an extensive acting resume at this point in his career, but this talented actor is already making waves in the industry. With a career that started just nine years ago, Beauchamp has proven to be smart and skilled in selecting roles and bringing them to life. Recently, he made headlines for being cast in CW’s latest show, Katy Keene, a musical Riverdale spinoff. While we’re yet to see how this new venture will pan out, we’re confident that Beauchamp’s involvement will make it worth watching. If you’re not familiar with Jonny Beauchamp, here are 10 things to help you get acquainted.
1. Proud of His Puerto Rican Heritage
At first glance, it might be difficult to pinpoint Beauchamp’s heritage. The gifted actor is of Puerto Rican descent and takes great pride in his roots. Born in March 1989 in New York City, Beauchamp’s background has undoubtedly influenced his career choices.
2. A Graduate of Performing Arts Schools
Beauchamp’s passion for acting led him to attend various performing arts schools throughout New York City. It was his training at the city’s Professional Performing Arts School (PPAS) that truly honed his skills and helped him understand the personal significance of acting.
3. Holding an Actual Degree in Acting
Unlike many actors who drop out of school, Beauchamp pursued his education and graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater Performance and a minor in Gender and Sexuality Studies. This minor has played a significant role in shaping his career and the types of roles he chooses to take on.
4. Overcoming Career Obstacles
Timing is crucial in the entertainment industry, and Beauchamp’s career almost came to a halt after starring in the 2015 film Stonewall. Despite his excellent portrayal of the gender-fluid character Ray/Ramona Garcia, the film was not well received. However, Beauchamp persevered and managed to bounce back from this setback.
5. Openly Gay and Proud
Beauchamp is openly gay and often speaks about his experiences growing up homosexual in the city. While he frequently plays drag queens in shows, he has never done drag in real life.
6. A Passion for Broadway
Given his background in performing arts, it’s no surprise that Beauchamp is a Broadway enthusiast. His role on Katy Keene as Jorge Lopez, a Broadway hopeful turned drag queen, reflects his love for the stage. Beauchamp even wrote essays about Broadway stars, such as Daphne Rubin-Vega, who now plays his television mom.
7. The Road Not Taken: Broadway
Beauchamp auditioned for numerous Broadway shows but was always cut in the end. Eventually, he decided that theater might not be his career path and shifted his focus to television. His first TV role was as Angelique in Showtime’s Penny Dreadful in 2015.
8. Facing Discrimination in the Industry
Beauchamp, like many queer actors, has been turned down for roles due to his sexual orientation. He believes that many roles meant for queer actors often go to heterosexual actors instead. While times are changing, actors like Beauchamp have faced this issue for far too long.
9. Overcoming Shyness
It’s hard to believe, but Beauchamp was once a shy kid. His family moved frequently during his childhood, making it difficult for him to make friends and fit in. However, he decided that being shy wouldn’t get him anywhere and made a conscious effort to change that aspect of himself.
10. Early Influence: Cabaret
For a young Broadway enthusiast, watching Cabaret for the first time was a game-changer for Beauchamp. The film significantly influenced his perception of theater, acting, and the entertainment industry as a whole.
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