Lin-Manuel Miranda (born January 16, 1980 in New York, NY) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, rapper, director, producer & playwright, best known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals In the Heights & Hamilton.

Miranda wrote the music and lyrics for the musical In the Heights, which opened on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in March 2008. Miranda’s written work for the show earned him numerous accolades, including the 2008 Tony Award for Best Original Score and the 2009 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.