Claybourne Elder (born April 21, 1982) is an American actor and singer, primarily recognized for his extensive work in musical theatre on Broadway and Off-Broadway, as well as for his television appearances.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Springville, Utah, Elder developed an early interest in performance. He attended and graduated from the Juilliard School in New York City, where he studied in the Drama Division.Career
Elder's career began with significant roles in Off-Broadway productions. He garnered critical acclaim for his performance as O'Hara in the 2007 production of Moisés Kaufman's One Arm, for which he received a Lucille Lortel Award. Other notable Off-Broadway credits include playing Hollis Bessemer in Stephen Sondheim's Road Show (2008), Julian in Death Takes a Holiday (2011), and Ed in the revival of Harvey Fierstein's Torch Song (2017).He made his Broadway debut in 2011 as Buck Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde. He later returned to Broadway in the critically acclaimed 2017 revival of Stephen Sondheim's Sunday in the Park with George, serving as the understudy for George and performing in a featured role. Elder achieved widespread recognition for his portrayal of Bobby in the 2021-2022 Broadway revival of Sondheim's Company, a performance that earned him a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical.
Beyond the stage, Elder has appeared in several television series. He is known for his recurring role as Charles Fane in HBO's The Gilded Age and has also appeared in shows like CBS's FBI.
Personal Life
Elder is openly gay. He is married to director and playwright Eric Rosen. The couple has one child.Awards and Nominations
- Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play – One Arm (2008)
- Drama Desk Award Nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical – Company (2022)