If you’ve spent any time hum-singing "The Room Where It Happens" while doing the dishes, you know the deal. Aaron Burr isn’t just a historical footnote who had a bad day in Weehawken. In the world of Hamilton, he’s the narrator, the foil, and—honestly—the soul of the show. But since the musical became a global juggernaut, the question of who plays Aaron Burr has a lot of different answers depending on when and where you caught the show.
It’s not just about one guy. While Leslie Odom Jr. might be the face on the Disney+ recording, a whole lineage of incredible performers has stepped into those polished boots to "talk less and smile more."
The Man Who Started It All: Leslie Odom Jr.
We have to start with Leslie. It’s unavoidable. Before the bright lights of the Richard Rodgers Theatre, Leslie Odom Jr. was already a Broadway veteran, but Burr changed his life. He didn't just play the role; he inhabited it with this suave, simmering tension that made you actually feel for the guy who eventually shoots the hero.
He won the Tony for Best Actor in a Musical in 2016 for a reason. His Burr wasn't a cartoon villain. He was a man paralyzed by caution, watching a "loudmouth" like Hamilton leapfrog over him. If you’ve watched the filmed version on Disney+, you’ve seen that specific twitch in his eye during "Wait For It." It’s pure masterclass acting.
Interestingly, Odom Jr. actually returned to the role recently. In a massive "homecoming" move for the show's 10th anniversary, he stepped back into the role on Broadway from September to November 2025. People were losing their minds. Seeing a performer return to their career-defining role a decade later? That’s the stuff of theater legend.
The Broadway Successors: Keeping the Room Where It Happens
Once Leslie left in 2016, the door opened for a string of powerhouses. You can’t talk about who plays Aaron Burr without mentioning Brandon Victor Dixon. He took over the role early on and brought a completely different, almost more aggressive energy to the part.
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Then you had Daniel Breaker, who played Burr for a massive chunk of time. Breaker brought a certain wry, comedic timing to the role that made Burr’s frustration feel very human and relatable.
More recently, actors like Nik Walker and Jin Ha have taken the mantle. Jin Ha, who many know from the TV show Pachinko, was a massive hit with fans. He brought a younger, more "hungry" vibe to Burr, which shifted the chemistry between him and whoever was playing Hamilton at the time. As of early 2026, the Broadway cast continues to rotate, with Jared Dixon being a name frequently associated with the current principal lineup.
Crossing the Pond: Burr in the West End
When Hamilton hopped the Atlantic to London, they needed someone who could match the gravitas of the original cast. Enter Giles Terera.
Giles didn't try to do a Leslie Odom Jr. impression. He made Burr his own, winning the Olivier Award (the UK equivalent of a Tony) for his performance. He even wrote a book about the experience called Hamilton and Me: An Actor’s Journal. If you’re a theater nerd, it’s a goldmine. He talks about the "wait" and the "fire," and how he prepared for that final, tragic duel every single night.
After Giles, Simon-Anthony Rhoden took over the West End production, maintaining that high-wire act of being both a narrator and an antagonist.
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The Famous Faces and Tour Stars
One of the coolest things about Hamilton is how it utilizes "star" casting for its various sit-down productions. Remember when Wayne Brady played Aaron Burr in Chicago? Yes, that Wayne Brady. People were skeptical at first, thinking of him mainly as a comedian, but he absolutely crushed it. He brought this incredible vocal range and a polished, charismatic edge that made his descent into "the villain in your history books" even more heartbreaking.
On the national tours—the ones that travel to cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago—we’ve seen guys like Joshua Henry (who also played Burr in the first U.S. tour) and Donald Webber Jr. Joshua Henry’s voice is like a freight train; when he hits the big notes in "The World Was Wide Enough," you can feel it in your seat.
Who Is the "Best" Burr?
It’s the debate that never ends in theater forums.
- Leslie Odom Jr. is the "Original" and the most nuanced.
- Giles Terera is the most poetic and theatrical.
- Joshua Henry is often cited as the most vocally powerful.
The reality is that Burr is a "chameleon" role. Unlike Alexander Hamilton, who is always a whirlwind of energy, Burr has to react. He has to be the "cool" to Hamilton’s "heat." Because of that, the actor playing him completely changes the "vibe" of the whole show. If Burr is more sympathetic, the ending feels like a tragedy for both men. If Burr is colder, it feels like a story of inevitable justice.
Beyond the Stage: Historical Portrayals
While the musical is the reason everyone is searching for who plays Aaron Burr today, he’s appeared in other media too.
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Back in the 2000 TV movie The Crossing, Burr was played by Steven McCarthy. It’s a much more traditional, "Founding Father in a wig" kind of portrayal. You also see him pop up in various documentaries and historical dramas about the Revolution, though usually as a side character rather than the lead. But let’s be real—none of them have a song as good as "Dear Theodosia."
What to Look for Next
If you’re trying to catch a performance now, the best thing to do is check the official Hamilton website for the current "Principal Cast."
Theater casting moves fast. Someone might be the lead today and a different actor might be stepping in for a limited run next month. If you see a name you don't recognize, look them up on Instagram or Playbill. Usually, these "new" Burrs are rising stars from the ensemble who have been waiting for their shot—just like the character they’re playing.
To keep up with the latest casting changes, follow the official Broadway and West End social media accounts. They usually announce new "principals" (the lead actors) a few weeks before they start. If a big name like Leslie Odom Jr. decides to do another "limited engagement," tickets will vanish in minutes, so keep your alerts on.
Check the current tour schedules for the "Philip" and "Angelica" companies if you're in the U.S., as they often feature the next generation of Broadway stars before they even hit New York.