If you’ve spent any time on the CW or scrolling through Broadway clips on TikTok, you’ve definitely seen Chris De'Sean Lee. He’s one of those actors who just disappears into a role. One minute he's a swaggering 18th-century Frenchman in Hamilton, and the next, he's a vampire with a serious attitude problem in Mystic Falls.
Honestly, the range is kinda wild.
Most people know him as Kaleb Hawkins from Legacies, but his career goes way deeper than just fangs and magic. He’s a classically trained powerhouse who literally got his big break while he was still in college.
The Breakthrough: From Belmont to Broadway
Chris didn't just stumble into acting. He was a student at Belmont University in Nashville when the opportunity of a lifetime knocked. He actually had to audition about five times before landing the dual roles of Marquis de Lafayette and Thomas Jefferson in the Chicago production of Hamilton.
Imagine being a college kid and getting a call from Lin-Manuel Miranda’s team while you're buying cocoa butter at Walmart. That’s a real story he tells. He basically dropped everything to join the "room where it happens."
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His portrayal of Jefferson was legendary because he brought this specific, playful arrogance that balanced out the intensity of the show. It wasn't just "playing pretend." He’s gone on record saying that the work required to be authentic on stage is what separates a performer from a true actor.
Chris De'Sean Lee Movies and TV Shows You Need to Watch
While the stage is where he sharpened his teeth (metaphorically), the screen is where he became a household name for Gen Z.
Legacies (2018–2022)
This is the big one. As Kaleb Hawkins, Chris took what could have been a side character and turned him into the heart of the show. Kaleb wasn't your typical "brooding" vampire. He was funny, loyal, and—most importantly—he challenged the status quo at the Salvatore School.
Remember in Season 1 when Kaleb was basically the only one saying, "Hey, maybe vampires should actually drink blood?" He brought a necessary friction to the series that kept it from getting too stale. By Season 2, he was bumped up to a series regular because fans (and the writers) couldn't get enough of his chemistry with MG (Quincy Fouse).
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The Chi (2018–2019)
If you want to see a completely different side of him, look for him in Showtime’s The Chi. He played Hannibal, the cousin of Brandon (played by Jason Mitchell). It was a recurring role, but it showed he could handle gritty, grounded drama just as well as supernatural teen angst.
Recent Projects and Guest Spots
Chris is a "workhorse" actor. He doesn't sit still. Here’s a quick rundown of some other places you've likely spotted him:
- Tracker (2025-2026): He recently appeared as Cousin Randy in a multi-episode arc. If you're catching up on Season 2, he’s a standout.
- Play Dead (2022): A horror-thriller where he got to play in a much darker sandbox.
- S.W.A.T.: He had a guest spot as Peter "PC-Pak" Watkins.
- Empire: He appeared as Tommy Turner back in Season 3.
Why He’s More Than Just an Actor
You can't talk about Chris De'Sean Lee without mentioning the music. He’s a songwriter and a producer. He often drops tracks that blend R&B and soul, and honestly, you can hear that musicality in his acting. There's a rhythm to how he delivers lines.
He also did a stint as Mercutio in Hamlet (2019-2020), proving that he’s got the Shakespearean chops to back up the TV fame.
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What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
Currently, Chris is leaning more into his "multi-hyphenate" status. While some people confuse him with the older Singaporean actor Christopher Lee (who is starring in the 2026 Taiwanese film No Good! Ojisan), Chris De'Sean Lee is carving out a very specific lane in American television and music.
There’s been plenty of chatter about him returning to his theatrical roots. Since his run in Alicia Keys' musical Hell's Kitchen (where he was part of the original development and early Broadway buzz), he's been the guy producers call when they need someone who can sing, dance, and hold a dramatic close-up.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Stream the music: If you only know him as Kaleb, go find "Nervous" or his other singles on Spotify. It gives you a much better sense of his artistic voice.
- Rewatch 'The Chi': His performance there is often overlooked by Legacies fans, but it's some of his best grounded work.
- Check 'Tracker' Season 2: His recent guest arc as Randy shows he’s moving into more "adult" procedural drama, which is a great sign for his longevity in the industry.
The guy is only in his early 30s. Given that he’s already conquered Broadway and a major TV franchise, the next few years are likely going to see him moving into leading man territory in film.