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Ethan Slater – the name you might know from Broadway, but is increasingly becoming synonymous with the big and small screens. Born on June 2, 1992, in Washington D.C. to a family that would later move to Silver Spring, Maryland, this American actor & singer initially caught the nation’s eye through his stage work before making the transition to film & television. This little guide takes a look at all the major movies and TV shows that Ethan Slater has been a part of – from his breakout musical films to more recent TV appearances.
The Lowdown on Ethan Slater
Ethan Slater is an actor, singer, writer, and composer who started out in Silver Spring, Maryland. His family moved there when he was a toddler, and he finished up his school days at Georgetown Day School before heading off to Vassar College to study drama; he graduated with a BA in 2014.
Some of his key claim to fames includes:
- He was the one who originated the role of SpongeBob SquarePants in the 2016 Broadway musical
- He won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical (2018)
- He got a Tony Award nomination for best actor in a Musical (2018)
- He continues to be involved in theatre, including the Broadway revival of Spamalot
Ethan Slater’s Movie Career
Slater may have started out on the stage, but his film career has been growing in leaps and bounds, and he’s got some pretty high-profile musical films under his belt. His work spans from short films to major studio productions.
Feature Films
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Wicked | Boq Woodsman | First part of two-film adaptation; transforms into the tin man |
| 2024 | Lost on a Mountain in Maine | Henry | Lead role in dramatic feature |
| 2025 | Wicked for Good | Boq/Tin Man | Concludes his character arc |
The musical films Wicked gets a two-film adaptation, co-starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande – which, by the way, scored an 88% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Early Work & Shorts
Slater showed up in a few short films before his feature film breakthrough:
- Lightning Bugs in a Jar (2015) – played Ben; screen at Cannes, and got some award recognition from the festival
- A Guy Walks Into a Bar (2012) – Young Man
- FunEmployment (2017) – Isaac’s Roommate
- Intervenors (2022) – Miles (also served as writer)
Ethan Slater’s TV Shows
Slater’s TV career has seen him pop up in all sorts of roles – from guest spots to recurring characters, and even the occasional theatrical special broadcast.
Notable Television Credits
| Title | Year | Role | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gen V | 2025-2026 | Thomas Godolkin | Prime Video series; a few episodes |
| Elsbeth | 2025 | Reese Chandler | CBS procedural; 2 episodes |
| The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel | 2023 | Steven | Streaming drama guest role |
| Fosse/Verdon | 2019 | Joel Grey | Limited series |
| Law & Order: SVU | 2018 | Riley Porter | Television series guest spot |
His theatre background has helped him land character-driven TV roles. Take Gen V, for example – set in the world of The Boys – where he gets to show off his range.
The Breakthrough: SpongeBob SquarePants & its impact on screen
The musical that started it all for Slater was the 2016 Chicago tryout of the musical. He was born into the role of SpongeBob SquarePants, followed by his Broadway debut in 2017. He shone brightly in the role and earned critical acclaim. And as you might expect, this exposure really helped him get his foot in the door in the film world.
The impact of his SpongeBob work can be seen in:
- The theatrical special reached a huge audience beyond Broadway
- Talk show appearances showed off his physical comedy skills
- His unique, movement-intensive style made him a great fit for visually expressive film roles
All these factors put together really made him a contender in the eyes of film casting directors – who now saw him as a versatile talent.
The Stage-to-Screen Connection Continues
Slater’s theatre work is still churning out screen opportunities. His stint in Spamalot at the St. James Theatre, for instance, had him playing Prince Herbert and the Historian – with production footage surfacing as promotional content and screen exposure.
As part of his theatre involvement, Slater has also been involved with the year lease theatre company – whose programming he contributed to, and whose productions led to sustained theatrical engagements.
Other productions include Kathleen Marshall, Bartlett Sher, and John Doyle directed shows; he also had a turn in Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally (or PEMDAS) at the Delaware Theatre Company and some other local productions that helped build his reputation and helped directors discover him for screen work.
A Breakdown of His Discography & TV Musical Performances
Slater has put out two EPs: wanderer (2019) and Life Is Weird (2020). A few of his songs have turned up in live sessions and performance clips on streaming platforms.
He has also appeared in a few televised concert events, which is why casting directors seem to constantly be picking him for musical roles in both film & television.
Personal Life and Public Profile
Slater was born in Washington D.C. on June 2 – 1992. He was raised in a pretty conservative Jewish household , the type where his family would regularly attend Ohr Kodesh synagogue, where he spent his childhood. He got into acting from a pretty young age & Ohr Kodesh was where he got his start.
His family ended up moving to Silver Spring Maryland where his Mum had a huge influence on his artistic development – he was pretty close to her, but sadly she passed away when he was young – all he’s got left are “so few memories” but he says she left a huge mark on his life.
Now about his personal life – Slater started seeing Lilly Jay back in 2012 while they were at university together. By the time he was 26 they’d got hitched – they got married in 2018 & had a third child ( their first son I think ) in 2022. Jay Slater filed for divorce in 2023 & Slater was more than happy to respond, though proceedings only wrapped up in 2024.
Now this might be a surprise to some of you, but Ethan Slater started dating Ariana Grande in 2023 – so that’s pretty recent I guess. Despite the media attention he’s got a strong reputation built up on his acting and singing skills.
Awards, Nominations, and Critical Reception
| Award | Year | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drama Desk Award | 2018 | Outstanding Actor in a Musical | Won |
| Tony Award | 2018 | Best Performance by an Actor in a Musical | Nomination |
People in the industry have been raving about his energy, his comic timing and of course his musicality. One of his standout performances was in SpongeBob – that was a big deal because it showed just how well stage work can translate over to film. He even got a part in Wicked thanks to that.
Where to Watch Ethan Slater’s Movies and TV Shows
Finding his films is pretty easy – just think of the usual places & you’ll be okay:
- Wicked films: It’s going to be the big screen for a bit longer then its going to go on to stream
- Gen V: You can watch that on Prime Video
- Elsbeth: Catch that on CBS or Paramount
- The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Yeah that’s on Prime Video too
Of course the exact availability might change so you might want to check whats on offer in your country
Legacy and Future Projects
Ethan Slater’s done alright for himself you know – he’s gone from being raised on a diet of Jewish orthodoxy in Washington D.C to being a household name in the world of musical theater & film. That all started when his family moved to Silver Spring Maryland ( his mum had been pretty influential in his creative development even though she’s no longer around to see how far she got him. He attended Ohr Kodesh synagogue, later went on to Georgetown Day School.
Ethan Slater’s big break came when he landed the role of SpongeBob in the musical of the same name – that earned him a pretty big reputation in the industry & a well known face around the theater scene. Critics praised his energy and performance which really set him apart – then came the video special on stage and that really showed him as being a talented young actor, and paved the way for more work and bigger opportunities. That breakout role put him firmly in the spotlight and just showed how acting can translate over to film.
Since then he has sort of slipped seamlessly into performing roles on and off the screen. he’s made a name for himself with his portrayal of Boq Wood in Wicked which saw him playing Boq Wood who changes into the Tin Man – he even got to be in Wicked for Good – which is a musical. This all rounds out his status as a dynamic performer capable of leading both on stage & screen productions.
Slater is also pretty talented singer and even manages to write songs ( – coming at you with extended plays: Wanderer in 2019 and :Life Is Weird in 2020. His tracks have even popped up in a few live sessions & digital performances.
His work on stage is definitely not limited – he did a stint at the Delaware Theatre Company in Barry Levinson’s Diner & also at the New York Musical Theatre Festival where he got a nomination for Best Individual Performance ( plus who can forget his role as Max Weinbaum at the Goodman Theatre or Prince Herbert at the Broadway revival of Spamalot.
Not to mention he’s made the odd TV appearance: Law & order , Murphy Brown and even The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.
He’s also featured in a few short films, such as Lightning Bugs in a Jar – coming out with a string of festival accolades.
On a more personal note, Ethan Slater started dating Lilly Jay back in 2012 . They got hitched in 2018 and had a baby in 2022 but decided to go their separate ways in 2023 – although this was simultaneously – he started dating Ariana Grande.
Despite all the attention though, he’s still got his sights set firmly on his acting career. Looking to the future, Ethan Slater is on the verge of something big – taking the lead on a brand new Broadway revival that will be a great showcase for his talents. He’s not idle when it comes to music either – an extended play is in the works, and he’s got a bunch of screen projects on the go that will keep his impressive resume expanding.
With his total dedication, huge amounts of raw talent and an all-consuming passion for performance – he’s absolutely set to leave his mark on the world of musical theater and musical films – and on that note, fans and theater critics are eagerly waiting to see what he does next.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ethan Slater’s Movies and TV Shows
What movies has Ethan Slater appeared in?
He’s got a pretty impressive filmography to date – including Wicked (2024), Wicked for Good (2025), Lost on a Mountain in Maine (2024), and a few shorts like Lightning Bugs in a Jar.
What TV shows is Ethan Slater in?
He’s popped up in some great shows – including Gen V, Elsbeth, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Fosse/Verdon, and Law & Order: SVU to name a few.
Broadway or screen – where does he primarily operate?
Well, he’s basically a stage performer at heart with foot in the world of film/TV, with Wicked being his highest-profile film project to date.
What role does he play in Wicked?
That’s easy – he plays Boq Woodsman, a Munchkin character who becomes the Tin Man.
Where did he go to school?
Ethan trained at Vassar College – earning a degree in Drama back in 2014.
Has he bagged any major awards?
He sure has – to name a couple he’s won a Drama Desk Award and even snagged a Tony nomination, both for his work in SpongeBob SquarePants.
Conclusion
Ethan Slater’s done a pretty admirable job of moving on from his stage roots and getting established in the world of film and TV too. SpongeBob SquarePants was the show that really put him on the map; and now with the Wicked films being his biggest break to date on screen – it’s a pretty safe bet that his next move will be a pretty interesting one. Keep an eye out for whats coming next – both on and off the stage.