From Hamilton to Hollywood
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Lin-Manuel Miranda holds up his handprints and poses with Mickey Mouse after becoming a Disney legend in 2026.
Even if you don’t know Lin-Manuel Miranda’s name, you may know some of his work. Miranda is the brains behind the musical Hamilton and the soundtrack for the movie Moana. But Miranda’s journey began long before he became a star.
Miranda was born in New York City in 1980. Both of his parents were from the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico, and the family lived in a neighborhood filled with Spanish-speaking immigrants. Miranda was steeped in music, from the salsa and hip-hop music that played in his home to the musicals that lit up the Broadway stage.
Before he had even finished college, Miranda wrote a musical called In the Heights. Inspired by Washington Heights, a New York City neighborhood near Miranda’s own, the show celebrates the city’s immigrant heritage through its story and musical soundtrack. In the Heights premiered on Broadway in 2008 and won several awards, including four Tony Awards, which are given for excellence in the theater.
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Lin-Manuel Miranda (center) played Alexander Hamilton in the musical Hamilton, which he wrote.
Miranda is best known as the creator and original star of Hamilton, a musical about founding father Alexander Hamilton. Born on a small Caribbean island, Hamilton eventually became the first U.S. secretary of the treasury. Miranda believes that Hamilton’s rise from humble beginnings is a classic American tale that mirrors the stories of many immigrants, as well as many rappers. His musical employs hip-hop and features a diverse cast. Hamilton opened in 2015 and soon became a massive hit, eventually winning 11 Tony Awards.
Miranda then expanded his work into Hollywood. He wrote music for the Disney movies Moana and Encanto and played a lamplighter in the 2018 movie Mary Poppins Returns. In 2021, he directed his first movie, tick, tick…BOOM!
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Lin-Manuel Miranda (right) wrote new music for a 2026 live action version of the 2016 movie Moana.
Miranda was originally inspired by his parents’ Puerto Rican culture. Today, he finds inspiration in the varied cultures and experiences of the American people.
“Our country has grown and changed and adapted in so many ways, and so many of the brilliant innovations that have benefitted this country are from immigrants,” he told NBC Nightly News. “And I believe that the people who come here from somewhere else to make a better life for themselves end up making a better country for us.”
