Tituss Burgess

Tituss Burgess – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Discover the life and achievements of Tituss Burgess — the American actor and singer known for his magnetic presence on Broadway and in television. Dive into his biography, rise to fame, signature roles, notable quotes, and lasting legacy.

Introduction

Tituss Burgess (born February 21, 1979) is an American actor and singer whose exuberant performances and powerful voice have earned him acclaim across stage and screen. Best known for his role as Titus Andromedon in Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Burgess stands out as a performer who blends humor, vulnerability, musicality, and authenticity. His journey from small town Georgia to Broadway and Netflix fame speaks to resilience, passion, and a refusal to let labels define his art.

Early Life and Family

Tituss Burgess was born and raised in Athens, Georgia.

During high school at Cedar Shoals High School, he was active in the theater program, where his passion and skills began to sharpen.

Youth and Education

After high school, Burgess attended the University of Georgia, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music.

After graduating, Burgess moved to Orlando, Florida, where he worked at Walt Disney World as a vocalist in Festival of the Lion King at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

Career and Achievements

Broadway Beginnings and Stage Work

Burgess made his Broadway debut in 2005 in the musical Good Vibrations, playing the role of Eddie. Jersey Boys in 2005, The Little Mermaid (originating the role of Sebastian the Crab) in 2007, and in the revival of Guys & Dolls in 2009 as Nicely-Nicely Johnson.

Over the years, he continued appearing in theatrical productions such as Into the Woods, and has also held regional theater credits. Harold Zidler in the Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! The Musical. Mary Todd Lincoln in Oh, Mary! on Broadway.

Breakthrough in Television

While already respected in theater, Burgess achieved mainstream recognition through his role in Netflix’s Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (2015–2020), portraying the flamboyant, dramatic, and deeply human Titus Andromedon. multiple Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.

Beyond Kimmy Schmidt, Burgess has lent his voice and acting to other television and animated projects, such as Central Park (voice role) and Schmigadoon! Dolemite Is My Name, Set It Up, and The Angry Birds Movie.

Other Creative Ventures

In 2024, Burgess brought to life a long-held dream by writing the music and lyrics for a musical adaptation of The Preacher’s Wife, which premiered at Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre.

He continues to explore opportunities across stage, screen, and voice work, signaling a career that refuses to be limited.

Historical Milestones & Context

Some notable landmarks in Burgess’s timeline and their significance:

• 2005: Broadway debut in Good Vibrations, marking his transition from regional to New York stage.

• 2007: Originating Sebastian in The Little Mermaid, a major theatrical credit with international recognition.

• 2015: Debut of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Burgess’s breakout into mainstream entertainment.

• 2020s: Expansion into voice acting, musical writing, and continued Broadway roles, testimony to his versatility in evolving entertainment landscapes.

His career blossoms in an era where streaming and musical theater increasingly overlap, and performers are expected to transcend single media formats. Burgess embodies that permeability — being equally at home singing on stage, acting in TV, or writing musicals.

Legacy and Influence

Tituss Burgess’s influence is felt across several dimensions:

1. Representation and Visibility
   As an openly gay Black man thriving in both Broadway and television, Burgess offers representation in an industry where voices like his are still emerging.

2. Genre-crossing artistry
   He moves fluently between acting, singing, and writing, demonstrating that modern performers need not be pigeonholed.

3. Redefining comedic-musical roles
   In Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, his character Titan Andromedon delivers comedy, pathos, singing—bridging musical and narrative forms.

4. Mentorship by example
   His journey from Georgia to Broadway and Netflix encourages aspiring artists who come from nontraditional backgrounds.

5. Expanding musical theater’s boundaries
   His choice to write a musical adaptation and to take on bold roles like Mary Todd Lincoln shows a willingness to push conventional expectations of casting and subject matter.

Even as his career continues evolving, Burgess’s body of work—on stage, on screen, and behind the scenes—serves as a beacon for versatility, authenticity, and bold creative voice.

Personality and Talents

Burgess’s artistry is powered by key traits and skills:

• Musicality & vocal power
  With a high tenor voice, Burgess draws on serious musical training to imbue performances with emotional depth.

• Comedic timing & emotional truth
  He balances flamboyant humor with moments of vulnerability, making characters feel three-dimensional rather than cartoonish.

• Fearlessness & bold choices
  From reinterpreting traditionally female roles (e.g. Into the Woods) to embodying Mary Todd Lincoln, Burgess refuses to be limited by norms.

• Resilience & gradual ascent
  His breakout came well into his thirties — a reminder that success is rarely linear.

• Heart and humility
  In interviews, Burgess often emphasizes connection, joy, and authenticity — grounding his big voice and larger-than-life roles in real human feeling.

Famous Quotes of Tituss Burgess

Here are several memorable quotes that reflect Burgess’s outlook, humor, and philosophy:

“I always start from, ‘What would people not expect from me?’” This speaks to his desire to surprise, challenge expectations, and remain unpredictable as an artist.

“In my mind, everything is a musical.” A testament to how he sees life through song and performance, not just roles.

“Oh, Mary! blew me away when I saw it on Broadway … I understand the role of Mary Todd Lincoln maybe a little too well.” Reflecting his emotional connection to a bold and unconventional theatrical choice.

(About The Preacher’s Wife musical) “I was casting the spell myself.” Capturing the sense of agency and intention behind his long creative pursuit.

These quotes show Burgess as an artist who both plays with surprise and carries deep emotional conviction.

Lessons from Tituss Burgess

From his life and career, we can draw many lessons relevant for performers, creators, and anyone pursuing a path in the arts:

1. Embrace the slow climb
   Burgess did not become a household name overnight. His persistence, incremental progress, and dedication mattered more than instant fame.

2. Stay multifaceted
   Being able to sing, act, write, and shift between media opens doors. Versatility is a strength.

3. Challenge expectations
   Don’t let conventional casting or genre rules limit you. Burgess’s bold role choices affirm power in taking risks.

4. Lean into your truth
   His authenticity — especially as a queer Black artist — gives weight to his performances and shows the importance of representation.

5. Infuse artistry in everyday life
   When you view life as musical, as he does, creativity becomes a continuous lens, not a compartment.

6. Dream big and act steadily
   His long-gestating musical project (The Preacher’s Wife) took years to emerge — but his steady work made it possible.

Conclusion

Tituss Burgess is not just a performer—he is a force. From his roots in Georgia theater to his standout moment on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and now his daring ventures in Broadway and musical writing, he charts a path defined by boldness, heart, and integrity. His voice—literal and imaginative—continues to inspire those who see art as a way to touch lives, tell nuanced stories, and break molds.