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John Legend

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BIO

John Legend is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, actor, film producer, theatre director, and philanthropist. Prior to the release of Legend's debut album, Get Lifted (2004), he had collaborated with already established artists and signed to Kanye West's GOOD Music. Legend has sung on Jay-Z's "Encore", Alicia Keys's "You Don't Know My Name", Dilated Peoples' "This Way", Slum Village's "Selfish", Fort Minor's "High Road", and played piano on Lauryn Hill's "Everything Is Everything". Legend's single "All of Me" from his fourth studio album Love in the Future (2013) was a Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit.



In 2007, Legend received the Hal David Starlight Award from the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Legend won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and Golden Globe Award in 2015 for co-writing the song "Glory" from the film Selma. He has also won eleven Grammy Awards. In 2017, Legend received a Tony Award for co-producing Jitney for the Broadway stage. In 2018, Legend portrayed Jesus Christ in NBC's adaptation of the rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his acting role, and won for his role as a producer of the show, making him one of 16 people and the first black man to have won all four of the following awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT). Legend is also the second youngest person to have achieved this milestone. Since 2019, Legend has been featured as a coach on The Voice.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

[Motion Picture]
NBC Live Televised Production, 2018
Jesus

Productions

 
[Broadway, 2017]
Producer
 
[Off-Broadway, 2016]
Producer

Writing

Original Music

Movies

Welcome to the Jungle
[ 2003 ] "The Boogie That Be"
American Express Jam Sessions
[ 2005 ]
Be Cool
[ 2005 ] "Believer"
Coach Carter
[ 2005 ] "I Changed My Mind"
Loverboy
[ 2005 ] Memphis Parking Lot Donor
Movies Rock
[ 2007 ]
Soul Men
[ 2008 ] Marcus Hooks
Bride Wars
[ 2009 ] "Pretty Please (Love Me)"
Fame
[ 2009 ] "Ordinary People"
Obsessed
[ 2009 ] Writer: "American Boy"
CMA Country Christmas
[ 2012 ]
Think Like a Man Too
[ 2014 ] "Tonight (Best You Ever Had)"
Breaking Through
[ 2015 ]
Pitch Perfect 2
[ 2015 ] "All Of Me"
La La Land
[ 2016 ] Keith
Sing
[ 2016 ] "All of Me"
I Am Not A Witch
[ 2017 ] "American Boy"
It's a Man's World
[ 2017 ]
Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert
[ 2018 ] Jesus
Between Two Ferns: The Movie
[ 2019 ] John Legend
Elvis All-Star Tribute
[ 2019 ]
Motown 60: A Grammy Celebration
[ 2019 ]
Represent Change: 50th NAACP Image Awards Tribute
[ 2019 ]
The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!
[ 2019 ] Writer: "(I Guess I) Miss You")
Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey
[ 2020 ] "Make It Work"
Coming 2 America
[ 2021 ] John Legend
The Mitchells vs the Machines
[ 2021 ] Jim Posey - Voice

TV Shows

American Dreams
Stevie Wonder
Curb Your Enthusiasm
John Legend
Master of None
John Legend
Underground
Frederick Douglass
Ask the StoryBots
The King of Music
Rhythm + Flow
Sherman's Showcase
[ 2019-2020 ] John Legend, Duke Ellington
The Simpsons
John Legend
This Is Us
John Legend
Why Not Me? with Mike Jackson
executive producer
Independent Lens
[ 2013-2024 ] executive producer

Awards and Nominations


winner
BroadwayWorld Awards - 2018 - Best Score

John Legend, SpongeBob SquarePants


winner
Outer Critics Circle Awards - 2018 - Outstanding New Score

John LegendSpongeBob SquarePants

Tony Awards - 2018 - Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

John LegendSpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical

Videos

News


Meghan Trainor Celebrates 10th Anniversary of 'Title' with Re-Release and New Tracks
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 28, 2025

Meghan Trainor is celebrating the 10th anniversary of her chart-topping debut album TITLE by re-releasing the record with two brand new songs, along with six Live from Spotify London tracks. Listen to it here!
Toby Gad Unveils 'PIANO DIARIES - THE HITS (DELUXE)' with Keke Palmer & More
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 28, 2025

Toby Gad, the GRAMMY-nominated songwriter and producer, has released PIANO DIARIES - THE HITS (Deluxe), adding 8 songs to his July-release PIANO DIARIES - THE HITS. Listen to it now.
See Lorna Luft & Andrea McArdle and More at 54 Below in April
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 28, 2025

Next month, 54 BELOW will presents some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Lorna Luft and Andrea McArdle, Marilyn Maye, and many more. See the full lineup here!
John Legend, Jon Batiste and More Join Tanglewood's 2025 Popular Artist Lineup
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 25, 2025

Four iconic artists join the 2025 Tanglewood Popular Artist Series, which each year brings a star-studded lineup of musicians and performers to Tanglewood’s Koussevitzky Music Shed. See the lineup and learn more!
Fridayy to Embark on Headlining World Tour
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 25, 2025

Fridayy has announced his upcoming headlining world tour titled “Some Days I’m Good, Some Days I’m Not World Tour.” The tour will stop at 17 cities across North America and five cities across the UK, Netherlands, Germany, and France this summer. 
Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur and More to Star in DUKE & ROYA at the Lucille Lortel Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 21, 2025

The New York premiere of Duke & Roya by playwright Charles Randolph-Wright  and directed by Warren Adams will be presented at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Cautious Clay to Release New Album 'The Hours: Morning'; Shares New Single
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 14, 2025

Singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Joshua Karpeh aka Cautious Clay will release his new album, The Hours: Morning on May 16th. Accompanying the news, Cautious has shared his new single, “Tokyo Lift (5am).' Listen to it here!
Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster, & More Set for The Ravinia Festival's 2025 Summer Lineup
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 13, 2025

The Ravinia Festival has unveiled its 2025 summer lineup, which features more than 100 concerts and 40 artist debuts. Highlights include appearances by Cynthia Erivo, Sutton Foster and Kelli O’Hara. Check out the full lineup!
GUYS AND DOLLS to be Presented as Final Production in Maltz Jupiter Theater 24/25 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 6, 2025

The Maltz Jupiter Theatre will present its final production of the 2024/25 MainStage Season with the beloved musical Guys and Dolls. Learn more about the upcoming performances and see how to purchase tickets.
Norm Lewis Will Lead CEREMONIES IN DARK OLD MEN Off-Broadway
by Stephi Wild - Mar 6, 2025

Norm Lewis will return to the stage in a new production of Lonnie Elder III's Ceremonies in Dark Old Men, directed by Clinton Turner Davis. Learn more about the show here!
Hershey Symphony Performs 'Tranquility to Triumph' This Month
by Stephi Wild - Mar 5, 2025

The Hershey Symphony will perform “Tranquility to Triumph” under the direction of Maestro Greg Woodbridge this month at the Hershey Free Church. Learn more here!
Interview: T.J. Wilkins And Shanice of 44, THE MUSICAL at Kirk Douglas Theatre
by Amanda Callas - Feb 27, 2025

Broadway World talks with T.J. Wilkins and Shanice of 44, The unOfficial, unSanctioned Obama Musical, at the Kirk Douglas Theatre through March 23rd. Actor and singer T.J. Wilkins has performed with Stevie Wonder, The Jacksons, John Legend, and Beyoncé, shined on NBC’s The Voice, and been nominated for a Grammy for his song in Disney’s The Lion King.  Shanice performed with Ella Fitzgerald at age 11, has collaborated with Kenny Loggins, Kenny Babyface Edmonds, Justin Timberlake, and Josh Groban, been nominated for Grammys for her bestselling, chart-topping albums, and starred in her own reality show on the Oprah Winfrey Network.
R&B Singer Chrisette Michele To Perform At LIGHTS OF THE LINCOLN
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 26, 2025

The Lincoln Theatre Association will host Grammy Award-winning recording artist Chrisette Michele on Thursday, April 3, at 8 pm. Michele is most known for her wedding anthem, “A Couple of Forevers” and hit Rick Ross collaboration hip hop tune, “Aston Martin Music.”
Interview: Antonique Smith's New Single Offers Powerful Climate Change Message
by Rebecca Kaplan - Feb 21, 2025

Grammy-nominated singer, actress, and activist Antonique Smith (RENT) is kicking off 2025 with the release of a reimagined version of her powerful anthem, 'Love Song to the Earth,' a testament to her commitment to climate change activism
Norm Lewis Comes to The Wick Theatre in March
by Stephi Wild - Feb 20, 2025

The Wick Theatre in Boca Raton will bring the baritone voice of Norm Lewis to their stage. In his one-man show, Lewis will present a revue of songs hand-picked from his impressive resumé of leading man roles.
Hollywood Bowl 2025 Summer Season: Cynthia Erivo, Hugh Jackman, and Diana Ross Among Headliners
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

The 2025 Hollywood Bowl schedule spans June through September, featuring a diverse lineup of performances including classical music, pop, rock, jazz, and Broadway hits. The Hollywood Bowl 2025 season marks the LA Phil's 103rd season at the venue. As BroadwayWorld previously announced, a highlight of the season will be Cynthia Erivo as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. New editions including Hugh Jackman, Dianna Ross and more special events.  
Christine Dwyer Joins SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE at Nashville Repertory Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 19, 2025

Nashville Repertory Theatre has announced that Broadway veteran Christine Dwyer will join the cast of Sunday in the Park with George, starring alongside David Shannon, for its highly at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center.
Gary Clark Jr. Adds Additional 2025 North American Tour Dates
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 18, 2025

Four-time Grammy Award winning artist Gary Clark Jr. has announced additional 2025 North American tour dates in support of his critically acclaimed 2024 album JPEG RAW.
Jada Kingdom Returns With New Song 'Can't Tell Me That'
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 13, 2025

In an exhilarating comeback, Jada Kingdom, widely recognized as TWINKLE, has taken the music world by storm just two weeks after her stunning release 'Only You.' Her new track, 'Can't Tell Me That,' is out now.
Student Blog Introduction: Joe Shoen
by Student Blogger: Joe Shoen - Feb 11, 2025

Meet Joe Shoen, One of our student bloggers for the Fall/Winter season! Read about his experience in the performing arts and learn about the newest production he has taken on.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many shows has John Legend written?

John Legend has written 1 shows including The Spongebob Musical (Original Music).

What awards has John Legend been nominated for?

Best Score (BroadwayWorld Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants, Outstanding New Score (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants and Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre (Tony Awards) for SpongeBob SquarePants: The Musical.

What awards has John Legend won?

John Legend has won the Best Score at the BroadwayWorld Awards for SpongeBob SquarePants and the Outstanding New Score at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for SpongeBob SquarePants.

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