Benj Pasek

Benj Pasek
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Name	Benj Pasek
Birth date	9 June 1985
Birth place	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Alma mater	University of Michigan
Occupation	Lyricist, composer
Years active	2006–present
Known for	Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, The Greatest Showman
Partner	Andrew Feldman

Benj Pasek is an American lyricist and composer, best known for his collaborative work with Justin Paul. The duo, known as Pasek and Paul, have achieved significant acclaim in musical theatre, film, and television, winning prestigious awards including an Academy Award, a Tony Award, and a Grammy Award. Their notable contributions include the scores for the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen and the films La La Land and The Greatest Showman. Pasek's work is characterized by its emotional resonance and contemporary musical style, bridging popular and theatrical genres.

Early life and education

Benj Pasek was born on June 9, 1985, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was raised in a Jewish family. He developed an early interest in musical theatre and began writing songs during his youth. Pasek attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he studied musical theatre and first partnered with fellow student Justin Paul. Their collaboration began with writing for student productions and the annual MTV-sponsored showcase Barely Legal. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance.

Career

Pasek's professional career, in partnership with Justin Paul, launched with their off-Broadway musical Edges in 2006. They gained wider recognition for their contributions to the NBC television series Smash and the Disney Channel film A Christmas Story Live!. Their breakthrough in film came with writing lyrics for the original songs in Damien Chazelle's La La Land, particularly the award-winning "City of Stars". The duo's success on Broadway was cemented with Dear Evan Hansen, which won the Tony Award for Best Original Score. They also composed songs for the hit musical film The Greatest Showman, whose soundtrack achieved global commercial success.

Works

Pasek, with Justin Paul, has authored scores for major theatrical and cinematic works. Their stage musicals include Dear Evan Hansen, A Christmas Story: The Musical, and Dogfight. For film, their notable credits encompass the lyrics for La La Land, original songs for The Greatest Showman such as "This Is Me", and work on Aladdin and Snow White. Their television work includes songs for Smash, The Flash, and John Mulaney & the Sack Lunch Bunch. They have also contributed to albums for artists like Zooey Deschanel.

Awards and nominations

Pasek, alongside Justin Paul, has received numerous major accolades. They won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "City of Stars" from La La Land. For Dear Evan Hansen, they received the Tony Award for Best Original Score and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Their work on The Greatest Showman earned them a Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for "This Is Me" and a Grammy nomination. Other nominations include Drama Desk Awards, Olivier Awards, and a Primetime Emmy Award.

Personal life

Pasek is openly gay and is in a long-term relationship with actor Andrew Feldman. He resides in New York City and is an active advocate for arts education and LGBT rights. Pasek has served on the board of the Dramatists Guild Foundation and frequently participates in workshops and masterclasses for aspiring writers. His personal experiences and observations of contemporary society often inform the thematic depth of his lyrical work.

Category:American lyricists Category:American musical theatre composers Category:Academy Award winners Category:Tony Award winners Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Living people Category:1985 births Category:People from Philadelphia Category:University of Michigan alumni Category:LGBTQ+ musicians