Justin Cooley

Cooley was born to Paul and Julie.^[1] He grew up in Overland Park, Kansas,^[4] and he attended Olathe East High School.^[3] He was named outstanding actor in a lead role for the Blue Star Awards, a regional theatre competition for high school students, and became a finalist for the Jimmy Awards.^[4] He enrolled at Texas Christian University, but received an offer to join the cast of Kimberly Akimbo and quickly deferred school for one semester to join the production off-Broadway as Seth.^[4] Cooley earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical, a Lucille Lortel Awards nomination for Outstanding Leading Performer in a Musical, an Outer Critics Circle Awards nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Musical, and a Theatre World Award for his performance in the off-Broadway production.^[2][5]

Cooley made his Broadway debut when Kimberly Akimbo moved to the Booth Theatre.^[4] He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical for his performance.^[3]

Cooley has been announced to portray Leaf Coneybear in New World Stages' production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which opened November 17th, 2025.^[6]