Nathaniel Stampley

Nathaniel Stampley is an American actor whose Broadway career has spanned from 1997 to 2024, encompassing original productions, revivals, and replacement roles. His work extends beyond Broadway to the West End, national tours, and regional theater across the United States.

Stampley's Broadway credits include both the original and revival productions of The Color Purple. In the original production, he was part of the opening night cast, playing Buster, Chief, and serving as an ensemble member and understudy for Harpo. He later returned to the show as a replacement, taking on the role of Mister in the revival. Additional Broadway appearances include a replacement engagement as Old Deuteronomy in the revival of Cats, as well as roles in Paradise Square and Lempicka.

Among his most prominent Broadway credits is his involvement with The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess, the Tony Award-winning 2012 revival, in which he served as understudy for both Crown and the title role of Porgy. He subsequently headlined the 2013 national tour of that production in the role of Porgy. Stampley also portrayed Mufasa in The Lion King on Broadway, a role he reprised both in the West End and on the national tour of that production. His national tour work further includes Ragtime, in which he played Coalhouse Walker Jr.

On the regional stage, Stampley originated the role of The Baron in the world premiere of Lempicka at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. He played Don Quixote in Man of La Mancha at the Marriott Theatre in Chicago, a performance that earned him a Joseph Jefferson Award in 2016 in the category of Actor in a Principal Role – Musical. He also received Joseph Jefferson Award nominations for his portrayals of Robert Kincaid in The Bridges of Madison County, Coalhouse Walker Jr. in Ragtime at the Marriott Theatre, and for his work in Big River at the Apple Tree Theatre. Other regional credits include Leo in Big Love at Signature Theatre in New York City, Henry in First Noel at Classical Theatre of Harlem, Lucas in Abyssinia at the North Shore Music Theatre, and Warrior and the Russian Admiral in Pacific Overtures at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater. He has also appeared in Show Boat at the Sacramento Music Circus and in Violet, Once on This Island, and Big River at the Apple Tree Theatre, as well as in Strike Up the Band and One Touch of Venus in the Auditorium Theatre's Ovations! series.

In September 2018, Stampley played Hatuey in the U.S. premiere of the Music Theatre Group's production of Hatuey: Memory of Fire. In his personal life, he is married to Lanette Costas, whom he met during the national tour of The Lion King.