LEON THOMAS III

Full Name, Age & Origins

Name: Leon George Thomas III
Born: August 1, 1993 (age 31)
Birthplace: Brooklyn, New York City, USA 

He later relocated with his family to Los Angeles, where he continues to reside .

Broadway Beginnings & Early Performances

Leon’s acting journey began in musical theater:

• At age 10, he made his Broadway debut as Young Simba in The Lion King (2003) .

• Continued with a role in Caroline, or Change (2004), touring its Los Angeles and San Francisco versions .

• Also appeared in the stage version of The Color Purple, showcasing his theatrical versatility .

Transition to Screen & Nickelodeon Fame

After moving to L.A., he began appearing on TV and in film:

• Provided the singing voice of Tyrone in The Backyardigans (2006–2008) .

• Made his feature film debut in August Rush (2007), performing “La Bamba” alongside Robin Williams and Terrence Howard .

• Gained widespread recognition as Andre Harris on Nickelodeon’s Victorious (2010–2013), starring in nearly every episode .

Music Career & Behind‑the‑Scenes Success

Leon took his talents beyond acting:

• Co-founded production duo The Rascals, creating hits for Ariana Grande, Drake, SZA, Toni Braxton, and Rick Ross .

• Earned a Grammy for co-writing and producing SZA’s “Snooze” and received nominations for work on Rick Ross’s “Gold Roses” .

• As a solo artist, released mixtapes (Metro Hearts, 2012; V1bes, 2014), EP Genesis (2018), and studio albums Electric Dusk (2023) and Mutt (2024), with the title track peaking at #13 on Billboard Hot 100 .

Recent Screen Roles & Diverse Projects

Leon continues to act while expanding genres:

• Appeared in Detroit (2017), Runaway Island (2015), Sins of Our Youth (2014), and joined Fear the Walking Dead as Russell .

• Participated in Nick Jr. programming (e.g. Just Jordan, Jack’s Big Music Show, iCarly guest spots) early in his L.A. career .

Awards & Industry Recognition

• Grammy Award winner for production work on SZA’s SOS .

• NAACP Image Award nominee for Victorious (2012) .

• Young Artist Award nomination for August Rush performance (2008) .

Creativity, Faith & Personal Traits

He’s an advocate for artistic authenticity and collaboration—credited mentors like Babyface and Drake help shape his sound . Leon is also known to be a practicing Seventh-day Adventist .

Summary

Leon Thomas III is a rare creative force: Broadway-trained, Nickelodeon star, hit-making producer, and respected solo artist. From Young Simba to Grammy-winning songwriter, his career blends performance and production, marked by cultural impact and artistic ambition. Whether on stage, screen, or in the studio, he brings passion, authenticity, and continuous growth.