Joseph Michael Richter is an American actor and singer. He is best known for his work with StarKid Productions, including A Very Potter Musical, as well as his work with Tin Can Brothers, including Spies Are Forever and Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye.
Early life and education Richter grew up in Laguna Niguel, California. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 2011, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in acting with a minor in global media studies.
Career In 2009, Richter went viral along with the rest of Team StarKid after they uploaded their Harry Potter parody musical, A Very Potter Musical, to YouTube; Richter played Ron Weasley. Richter has continued to appear in StarKid musicals over the last decade, with his most recent appearance being in the company's 2026 musical Tomb Quest. Richter also joined the company on their 2011 SPACE tour and 2012 Apocalyptour tour.
Richter is also a founding member of entertainment group Tin Can Brothers, alongside Corey Lubowich and Brian Rosenthal, whom he met while attending the University of Michigan. Richter has a writing credit for the group's 2016 musical Spies Are Forever, their 2017 play The Solve It Squad, and their 2020 webseries Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye.
Richter appeared in Disney Channel's Jessie as recurring character Officer Petey. In 2013, he and Darren Criss co-hosted the Annie Awards. In 2015, Richter played Matt, the titular genie in the Nickelodeon TV movie Genie in a Bikini.
In October 2023, Richter joined Darren Criss as a special guest for his concert, Darren Criss in Concert, at the London Palladium.
Personal life Richter has been in a relationship with fellow StarKid Productions member Lauren Lopez since 2012. The couple became engaged in July 2020 and married in 2023. Fellow StarKid members Darren Criss and Dylan Saunders performed at the wedding, with Nick Lang, Joseph Walker and Julia Albain giving speeches.
Acting roles Theatre Year Title Role Venue Notes 2009A Very Potter MusicalRon WeasleyUniversity of Michigan, Ann ArborStarKid ProductionsMe and My DickJoey RichterTartuffeOrgonCollege production2010A Very Potter SequelRon WeasleyStarKid Productions2011StarshipBugHoover-Leppen Theatre, Chicago2012A Very Potter Senior YearRon WeasleyLeakyCon, Chicago2013The Last Days of Judas IscariotSatan / Saint ThomasStage 773, ChicagoChicago production2014The Trail to Oregon!McDoon / Ox / EnsembleStarKid Productions2015Cherry Lane Theatre, New York City2016FirebringerGruntStage 773, ChicagoSpies Are ForeverOwen Carvour / Sergio Santos / Vanger Borschtit / EnsembleNoHo Arts Center, Los AngelesTin Can Brothers2017The Solve it SquadBenji "Scrags" ScragtowskiSecret Rose Theatre, Los Angeles2018TBG Theatre, New York CityThe Guy Who Didn't Like MusicalsTed, et al.The Matrix Theatre, Los AngelesStarKid Productions2019Black FridayThe Homeless Guy / Uncle Wiley, et al.Hudson Mainstage Theatre, Los Angeles2020Social Distancing: The Musical!VariousPre-recorded virtual performancePixel PlayhouseA VHS Christmas CarolBob CratchitPre-recorded virtual performanceStarKid Productions2021VHS Christmas Carol: Live!The Bourbon Room, Los Angeles2023Nerdy Prudes Must DiePeter SpankoffskiEl Portal Theater, Los AngelesVHS Christmas CarolsBob Cratchit / FezziwigApollo Theater, Chicago2024Cinderella's CastleCrumbEl Portal Theater, Los Angeles2025Gross ProphetsTodd AngleHudson Theater, Los AngelesTin Can BrothersChapel Off-Chapel, MelbourneThe Concourse Lounge, SydneyThe Elysian Theater, Los Angeles The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals: Reprised!Ted, et al.El Portal Theater, Los AngelesStarkid Productions2026The Apollo Theatre, LondonStarkid Productions & Lambert Jackson Productions
Film Year Title Role Notes 2015Genie in a BikiniMattTV movie
Television Year Title Role Notes 2012–2013JessieOfficer PeteyRecurring role, 4 episodes2013GleeApple No. 8Episode: "Sadie Hawkins"2015–2020Henry DangerTime JerkerRecurring role, 4 episodes2020–2021Danger ForceRecurring role, 2 episodes
Voice acting +YearShow / FilmRoleEpisodeRef2013KhumbaThemba2014The Legend of KorraHong LiSeason 3, Episode 8 "The Terror Within”2020Ride Your WaveMinato
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryShowRoleResultRef2019BroadwayWorld Los Angeles AwardsFeatured Actor in a Musical – LocalThe Guy Who Didn't Like MusicalsTed, et al.
References
External links
Official website