Biography
Who is Josh Gad?
Early life and real name
Joshua Ilan Gad was born in Hollywood, Florida. His mother Susan is a real estate agent. His stepfather works as an investment advisor. Josh grew up in a Jewish home. His father Sam was born to a Jewish family in Afghanistan. This father moved to Israel during his teenage years.
Josh believes his paternal ancestors lived in India before they settled in Afghanistan. His mother was born in Germany to Ashkenazi Jewish parents who survived the Holocaust.
Education and training
Josh attended the University School of Nova Southeastern University. He graduated from this high school in 1999. During his time there, he won National Forensics League championships for Original Oratory in 1998 and 1999. He also won a Humorous Interpretation award in Phoenix in 1999.
Later, he went to the Carnegie Mellon College of Fine Arts. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in drama in 2003. During his college years, he spent one semester at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. He studied with Leslie Odom Jr. And Rory O'Malley. The latter person served as the inspiration for his voice as Olaf.
Broadway and stage career
Josh Gad began his Broadway work in 2005. He appeared in the Putnam County Spelling Bee as William Barfée. He later starred as Elder Cunningham in the musical The Book of Mormon. This show opened at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre on March 24, 2011.
For this role, he won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. He also received a Tony nomination for his leading role in a musical. In 2023, he returned to the stage in Gutenberg! The Musical!. He is set to appear in Jesus Christ Superstar in 2025.
Film and voice acting
Josh Gad's film career started with the 2002 movie Mary and Joe. He took on dramatic roles in 21 and Murder on the Orient Express. He played Steve Wozniak in the film Jobs and Andrew in The Internship. He played LeFou in the 2017 version of Beauty and the Beast.
He is most famous for voicing Olaf in the Frozen movies starting in 2013. He also provided the voice for Chuck in The Angry Birds Movie trilogy. Other comedy films include The Wedding Ringer and Pixels. He also played Bailey in A Dog's Purpose and its sequel.
Television and other work
Josh Gad appeared in an episode of ER in 2005. He starred as Ryan Church in the Fox sitcom Back to You between 2007 and 2008. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as a correspondent on The Daily Show. He co-created and starred in the NBC show 1600 Penn.
He had main roles in The Comedians and Avenue 5. He created the Apple TV+ series Central Park. During the pandemic, he launched a YouTube series called Reunited Apart. This show brought together casts from films like Back to the Future and The Lord of the Rings.
Birthday and age
Josh Gad was born on February 23, 1981, which makes Josh 45 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Josh shares the date with 26 other famous people.
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