Top 10 Greatest Lin-Manuel Miranda Performances

We may never have been introduced to the Lin-Manuel Miranda we know today if it weren’t for Jonathan Larson. Once upon a time, teenage Miranda saw Larson’s culturally earth-shattering musical, “Rent,” and was inspired to follow in the late composer’s footsteps. In 2014, he did so quite literally, portraying his idol in a revival of Larson’s “Tick, Tick…Boom!” As the lead character, Miranda speaks with a youthful optimism that’s muddled with a twinge of the exhaustion that comes with being a dreamer in the modern world. The performance is a touching love letter that unites two men who have forever changed musical theater. Plus, it provided a killer warm-up for Miranda’s 2021 directorial film debut, in which he provides a smaller but still memorable performance…

Having Miranda as a BFF sure sounds amazing, especially if you’ve got an evil alter ego to contend with. The short-lived NBC medical drama “Do No Harm” sees Jason Cole, a modern day Dr. Jekyll, wrestle with that exact problem. Dr. Ruben Marcado is Cole’s trusted friend and helps the troubled man to suppress, and ultimately conspire to eliminate, the Mr. Hyde-esque Ian Price. Miranda fits the prescription perfectly as the encouraging sidekick, and he’s great at showing the great concern and camaraderie that his character often expresses. The unconditional support comes at a fault, as the quickly canceled series leaves Marcado’s ultimate fate open-ended. It’s a shame we’ll never see what more Miranda could’ve done playing a complicated man’s faithful buddy.

From having bedside manner to becoming a patient with mannerisms, Lin-Manuel Miranda had a heartfelt run opposite Hugh Laurie’s unforgettable Dr. House. He wore the scrubs of Alvie Alvarez, House’s roommate at Mayfield Psychiatric Hospital. Alvie’s bipolar disorder makes him prone to rapping uncontrollably, providing a perfect outlet to showcase Miranda’s skills with syllables. Yet the character finds himself tongue-tied at the mic during a hospital talent show. It might be hard to imagine a thespian of Miranda’s caliber experiencing stage fright, but he plays the scene like he’s drawing from experience. Luckily, he gets some surprisingly touching help from his roommate. Seriously, how many people could make the great Gregory House freestyle?

It’s time for a quick stop in Duckburg! The 2017 reboot of “DuckTales” got a few upgrades in animation and voice talent, including the addition of Lin-Manuel Miranda. Co-creator Francisco Angones reportedly wanted Miranda to play the enthusiastic brainiac Fenton Crackshell-Cabrera. As a longtime “DuckTales” fan, the actor was ecstatic to be offered the part. You can really hear Miranda’s love for the birds’ universe in every joy-infused line and perfectly timed comedic beat that he delivers. Fenton is also iconic Duckburg superhero Gizmoduck, and Miranda’s lovable voice proves to be both endearing and inspiring as both identities. Equipped with unwavering optimism and premium lavatory laboratory headquarters, he truly makes Crackshell-Cabrera an adorable joy to watch!

We can debate just how “fictionalized” Larry David’s character is on “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” but we’re hoping Miranda’s appearance involved a lot of creative liberties. He plays a controlling egomaniac version of himself, working on the production of Larry’s musical “Fatwa!”. His brief appearance makes for more than one hilarious moment, including Larry’s desire for “Hamilton” tickets for his shucker, and the implications and authority that go with sitting behind a desk. It all culminates with a gentlemen’s paintball duel, where Larry becomes an Aaron Burr-like adversary to the musical star. It’s a bizzaro version of the humble and generous Miranda that we know. He nails it, and it’s so enjoyable seeing the Pulitzer Prize winner not take himself too seriously.

The colors of Miranda’s versatility shine darkly as he embodies Lee Scoresby, a gritty cowboy from the world of Philip Pullman’s “His Dark Materials.” You might expect a Texan aeronaut to show up in a fantasy drama about as much as you’d expect Miranda to play such a character. But of course, he makes the role his own. The animated eyes that we’re used to become the ominous glares of a man who’s seen his fair share of darkness. His southern accent is slight but ever present, as is the sense of principle and isolation that the actor brings to the character. Miranda lovingly describes Scoresby as “the Han Solo of the series,” and his unique performance flawlessly emanates that complicated respect.

Lin-Manuel is front-and-center, running the show in this unforgettable animated musical. He voices Vivo, a musically gifted kinkajou who embarks on a trip to play a very important song for his former owner’s true love. While Miranda is widely known for his signature rapping – which is still on display here – it’s easy to forget his strength as a singer. As Vivo, we really get to hear his ability to command and sustain powerful notes and inflict wondrous inspiration into the character. Vivo deals with personal tragedy and celebrates the value of friendship. Thanks to Miranda’s portrayal, every bit of this little kinkajou’s tale feels deeply personal and relatable.

Can you imagine anyone better to be a protégée of the legendary Dick Van Dyke? Miranda has said that he started writing musicals to be part of them, and he calls roles like Jack the Lamplighter “fruit of the harvest.” Jack is a happy-go-lucky guy, and the former apprentice of Bert, the unforgettable multi-talented character from the 1964 movie. Miranda brings the character to life with cheerful buoyancy, a cockney accent, and some impressive dancing shoes. Jack even owns what is arguably the movie’s signature number. Just like the troubadour playing him, he always looks on the bright side of life, so the casting is perfectly memorable. Who wouldn’t fall in love with that smile?

This is the role that put our honorary Renaissance man on the map, and it came from his own groundbreaking show “In the Heights.” Miranda drafted the musical while in college and would eventually play Usnavi, the story’s humble narrator, on Broadway. His role in the ensemble cast is critical, as he must firmly hook the audience’s attention. Miranda clearly stuck that landing, since the musical won four Tony awards and became a major motion picture. “Heights” was heavily influenced by the star’s own background. So he fittingly appears in the film as the piragüero guy, a character through which he paid tribute to his grandfather. Looking back, Miranda’s embodiment of Usnavi perfectly showcases his roots as both an artist and a man.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

Crackerjack Sugarman, “BoJack Horseman” (2017-20)
A Minor Role, but an Extremely Memorable Horse

Roy Scheider, “Fosse/Verdon” (2019)
Miranda Portrayed the Actor With Ease

David Santiago, “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (2013-21)
He Perfectly Plays Amy’s Golden Brother

Guillermo, “Modern Family” (2009-20)
Who Wouldn’t Buy Doggie Treats From Him?

Reggie, “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” (2012)
An Unbe-leaf-ably Sweet & Helpful Botanist

This is the Founding Father of Lin-Manuel Miranda performances. The cultural sensation that is “Hamilton” was Miranda’s dream of “America then” told by “America now,” so his historical icons could be played by anyone. He showcased his idea, then a burgeoning mixtape, with a performance in front of President Barack Obama, and it was magical. There are many layers to this Hamilton: he’s a writer, an activist, a soldier, a family man, and a complex hero. Miranda hits all of these beats like he’s lived a lifetime rehearsing them. It takes a true revolutionary to captain generation-defining theater like this, which tells you everything you need to know. We’re impatiently waiting in the wings to see the million things he hasn’t yet done!