Amber Gray is an American actress. She is known for originating the role of Hélène Bezukhova in the musical Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812 and the role of Persephone in the musical Hadestown, both Off- and on Broadway. For the latter 2019 role, she was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical, additionally earning the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.
Early life and education Gray is a military brat and spent her early childhood across Europe and the United States.
She attended Boston University where she received a BFA in acting and New York University where she received an MFA in acting.
Career In 2007, she began her screen career by appearing in an episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, titled "Haystack", as a character named Raye. She also worked as a photographer on Canada's Top Model in 2009 on the episode "Bright Lights: No Pity". In 2012, Gray first became involved with Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812. Gray portrayed Countess Hélène Bezukhova in the musical's performances at the Off-Off-Broadway Ars Nova Theater. Gray continued with Great Comet when it moved to Kazino Meatpacking in 2013, Kazino Times Square in 2014, and when it opened on Broadway in late 2016. Gray was awarded a 2017 Theatre World Award for her performance as Hélène.
In 2014, Gray reprised her leading role as Zoe in An Octoroon at Soho Repertory Theatre An Octoroon utilized the plot of The Octoroon, an 1859 melodrama, but turned it into a contemporary new play that discusses America's slave history and both past and present racism. In an interview with The New York Times, Gray spoke of the part's difficulty due to many intense racial scenes. Gray remained with the production when it went on to play at Theatre for a New Audience in 2015.
In 2016, Gray portrayed Persephone in New York Theatre Workshop's production of the new musical Hadestown, based on Anaïs Mitchell's album of the same name and the tragic myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Gray was again directed by Rachel Chavkin, whom she collaborated with during Great Comet. Gray was praised by critics, who were impressed by her "vocal dexterity," "charisma," and "powerhouse voice". She reprised this role in the Edmonton Citadel Theatre, London National Theatre, and Broadway productions. For the Broadway production, she received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical. She reprised the role for her West End debut in February and March 2025.
In 2021, Gray appeared in the Amazon limited series The Underground Railroad as Gloria Valentine.
Gray plays the role of Ajax on the 2024 concept album by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Eisa Davis, Warriors.
In April 2025, it was revealed that Gray would star in the world premiere of the A Wrinkle in Time musical at Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage.
On June 16, 2025, it was announced that Gray would appear as Elmire alongside Matthew Broderick, Bianca Del Rio, and Francis Jue in a new production of Tartuffe at the New York Theatre Workshop.
On March 26, 2026, Gray began playing the character Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Show on Broadwayhttps://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/amber-gray/profile/. She is expected to stay through the full run of the show.
Personal life Gray's partner is Galen Hamilton, whom she began dating in 2011. They have two children.
Gray is biracial.
Theatre +YearsProductionRole TheatreDirectorRef.2004Ain't MisbehavinCharlaineHuntington Theatre Company Marcia Milgrom Dodge2005Lady Windermere's FanLady PlymdaleWilliamstown Theatre FestivalMoisés KaufmanOn The RazzleLisetteWilliamstown Theatre FestivalDavid JonesPrudenceSarahConnecticut Repertory TheatreTyler Marchant2006Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping ChoirActivist, SingerInternationallySavitri D2009A Midsummer Night's DreamPuck, Hippolyta, TheseusFlorence's Villa La Pietra, NYC Bandshells, Classic Stage CompanyJim Calder2010An OctoroonZoeP.S. 122Branden Jacobs-JenkinsBanished Children of EveElizaIrish Repertory Theatre, Off-BroadwayCiaran O'Reilly2011SueñoThe SunAtlas TheatreJack Fletcher2011–13The TEAM's Mission DriftJoanP.S. 122's COIL Festival, London's National Theatre, Edinburgh's Traverse Theatre, Lisbon, Coimbra, Salzburg, Hong Kong, Perth, Williams CollegeRachel Chavkin2012All HandsGretaHoi PolloiAlec DuffyWe Play for the Gods SimiWomen's ProjectJessi D. Hill, Sarah Rasmussen, Mia RovegnoThe World is RoundRose Rose RoseRipe TimeRachel DicksteinNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Hélène Kuragina BezukhovaArs Nova, Off-BroadwayRachel ChavkinEager to LoseTrixieArs NovaPortia Krieger and Wes Grantom2013Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Hélène Kuragina BezukhovaKazino Meatpacking District, Off-BroadwayRachel Chavkin2014Kazino Times Square, Off-BroadwayAn OctoroonZoeSoho RepSarah Benson2014–15A 24 Decade History of Popular Music: 1900s-1950sSingerNew York Live Arts with Under the RadarTaylor Mac, Niegel Smith2015An OctoroonZoeTheatre for a New AudienceSarah BensonOklahoma!Laurey WilliamsBard SummerScapeDaniel FishIphigenia in AulisClytemnestra, MenelausClassic Stage CompanyRachel Chavkin2016HadestownPersephoneNew York Theatre Workshop, Off-Broadway2016–17Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Hélène Kuragina BezukhovaImperial Theatre, Broadway2017The TEAM's Primer for a Failed Superpower Activist, SingerRouletteHadestownPersephoneEdmonton's Citadel Theatre2018–19Olivier Theatre, Royal National Theatre2019–22Walter Kerr Theatre, Broadway2019 Into the Wild Performer Playwrights HorizonsAmber Gray, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Ryan McCartan, More Featured in Industry Reading of Into the Wild Musical Lila Neugebauer2021Against Women and MusicCeline GrayVirtual productionSarna Lapine2022MacbethBanquoLongacre Theatre, BroadwaySam Gold2023Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris PerformerBenefit performance in Tangier, MoroccoRob Ashford2023–24Here We AreClaudia Bursik-ZimmerThe Shed, Off-BroadwayJoe Mantello2024–25Eureka DayCarinaSamuel J. Friedman Theatre, BroadwayAnna D. Shapiro2025HadestownPersephoneLyric Theatre, West EndHadestown Original Broadway Stars to Reunite for West End ProductionRachel ChavkinA Wrinkle in TimeMrs. WhatsitArena StageLee Sunday EvansTartuffeElmireNew York Theatre WorkshopSarah Benson2026The Rocky Horror ShowRiff RaffStudio 54, BroadwaySam Pinkleton
Filmography +FilmYearTitleRoleNotesRef.2011Roger, the ChickenDr. Rose2013The WeekendMaggie2017Walden: Life in the WoodsMelinda2021Where There's SmokeJeniferShort film2022MasterLiv Beckman2026Hadestown: The MusicalPersephoneFilmed stage production
+TelevisionYearTitleRoleNotesRef.2007Law & Order: Special Victims UnitRayeEpisode: "Haystack"2018Escape at DannemoraAnnie2 episodes2020Ms. GuidanceBethany Bump6 episodes2021BullDr. KinseyEpisode: "To Save a Life"2021The Underground RailroadGloria Valentine2 episodes2023The Gilded AgeBea SturtEpisode: "Close Enough to Touch"2025Long Bright RiverTeacher Dana3 episodes
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2017Theatre World AwardOutstanding Broadway or Off-Broadway Debut PerformanceNatasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812Lucille Lortel AwardsOutstanding Lead Actress in a MusicalHadestown2018Sterling AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role2019Tony AwardsBest Featured Actress in a MusicalOuter Critics Circle AwardsOutstanding Featured Actress in a MusicalDrama League AwardsDistinguished Performance Award 2020Grammy AwardBest Musical Theater Album
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