Julia Knitel
American actress and singer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Julia Nicole Knitel (born January 30, 1993) is an American actress and singer known for her work in theater.[2] In 2025, she was nominated for her first Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Maggie/Helen in Dead Outlaw.
- Actress
- singer
Julia Knitel | |
|---|---|
Knitel in Dead Outlaw 2025 | |
| Born | January 30, 1993 Fair Lawn, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Marymount Manhattan College (no degree)[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2009–present |
| Spouse | PJ Adzima (2019-2025) |
Early life and career
Knitel was born and raised in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and was introduced to the arts at a young age by her parents who were actors.[3] Knitel was a 2009 Jimmy Awards nominee for her performance as Millie in Thoroughly Modern Millie at Fair Lawn High School and performed at the Paper Mill Playhouse as a child.[3][4]
Broadway and performing career
In 2009, Knitel made her Broadway debut at age sixteen in the ensemble of the revival of Bye Bye Birdie at the Henry Miller Theatre.[5]
She played the lead role of Carole King in the biographical musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical on Broadway and on tour.[6] She also played the role of Janice in Come from Away on tour. In 2018, she played Louise opposite Beth Leavel as Mama Rose in a production of Gypsy at The Muny in St. Louis. Also in 2018 she starred in the Off-Broadway musical Letter to Harvey Milk as Barbara Katsef, for which she was nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical.[7]
In 2024, she originated the dual roles of Millicent / Maggie / Helen in the Off-Broadway musical Dead Outlaw, and reprised the role in the 2025 Broadway production. She was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award and a Tony Award for her performance.[3][8][9]
In February 2026, it was announced that she would be taking over the role of Ewen Montagu & Others in the Broadway production of Operation Mincemeat from original cast member and writer Natasha Hodgson.[10]
Personal life
Stage
Awards and nominations
| Award | Year | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lucille Lortel Awards | 2018 | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical | Letter to Harvey Milk | Nominated | [12][22] |
| Outer Critics Circle Awards | 2024 | Outstanding Featured Performer in an Off-Broadway Musical | Dead Outlaw | Nominated | |
| Tony Awards | 2025 | Best Featured Actress in a Musical | Nominated |