Renée Elise Goldsberry
She brought a mother's ferocious love and a Broadway belt to the role of Angelica Schuyler, creating a cultural moment in 'Hamilton'.
Born 1971 (age 55)·American actress·Birthday: January 2·Generation X
Biography
Renée Elise Goldsberry's path to stardom was a steady, determined climb. Before she became the voice of a revolutionary generation in 'Hamilton,' she built a solid career on television, with roles on 'One Life to Live' and 'The Good Wife,' and on Broadway in 'The Color Purple' and 'Rent.' Her life changed when Lin-Manuel Miranda cast her as Angelica Schuyler. Goldsberry infused the character with a sharp intellect and a palpable, aching heart, turning 'Satisfied' into a show-stopping masterpiece of narrative and emotional complexity. The performance earned her a Tony, a Grammy, and a place in the musical theater firmament. Beyond the Schuyler sister, she has continued to choose projects that showcase her formidable range, from the sci-fi drama 'Altered Carbon' to voicing a goddess in animation, proving her talent is as versatile as it is powerful.
Generation X
1965–1980
The latchkey kids. Raised during divorce, recession, and the end of the Cold War. Skeptical, self-reliant, media-literate. They invented indie culture, grunge, and the early internet — then watched the Boomers take credit.
Renée was born in 1971, placing them squarely in the Generation X. The events that shaped this generation — economic uncertainty, the end of the Cold War, and the rise of personal computing — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Renée Was Born
The biggest hits of 1971
#1 Movie
Fiddler on the Roof
Best Picture
The French Connection
#1 TV Show
Marcus Welby, M.D.
Renée's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1971Born
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1976Started school
Apple Computer founded; US bicentennial
Gas: $0.59/galHome: $29,300Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Gerald Ford"Silly Love Songs" — WingsBest Picture: Rocky
1984Became a teenager
Apple Macintosh introduced
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $59,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"When Doves Cry" — PrinceBest Picture: Amadeus
1987Could drive
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1989Could vote
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1992Turned 21
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2001Turned 30
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2011Turned 40
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2021Turned 50
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 55 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Angelica Schuyler in 'Hamilton'.
- Received a Grammy Award for her work on the original cast recording of 'Hamilton'.
- Portrayed a series regular, Wickie Roy, on the Netflix series 'Girls5eva'.
- Earned a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for 'Hamilton'.
- Nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for her performance in 'Worth'.
Did You Know?
She was a member of the gospel and R&B group For Lovers Only before her acting career took off.
She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Carnegie Mellon School of Drama.
She played a recurring role on the soap opera 'One Life to Live' for several years.
She is married to fellow actor Alexis Johnson.
