Alex Ko

Alex Ko
Alex Ko (at age 14)
Born Nicholas Alexander Ko
(1996-02-03) February 3, 1996
Iowa City, Iowa, U.S.
Residence New York, New York
Other names Alex Ko
Occupation Actor and dancer
Years active 2009–present

Nicholas Alexander Ko (born February 3, 1996) is an American actor, dancer and singer. He won the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway in 2009.

Early life

Ko is the middle child of three children. He was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. Ko's father, Cheukman Sam Ko, was born in Hong Kong where he was a professional gaffer in the film industry, including Shanghai Surprise and The Protector (1985 film).[1] Ko's father became an entrepreneur after relocating to the United States in 1992 and died of liver cancer when Alex was 11 years old.[2] His mother, Tammie Cumming, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in DeLand, Florida. At the age of 13, Ko and his family relocated to New York City to perform the title role of Billy in "Billy Elliot the Musical" on Broadway. Ko said that his household is influenced heavily by the Chinese culture.[2]

Ko won National and Regional Dance and Gymnastics Championship titles since the age of 5-years old.[3] He was the youngest student admitted to The University of Iowa Department of Dance, where he earned college credit and a 4.0 grade-point-average.[4] He was also awarded full scholarships to Steps on Broadway and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City.[2]

Education

After attending elementary school at the age of 12, Ko was accepted to The University of Iowa in Iowa City under Iowa's Talented and Gifted law and dual-enrolled in the Iowa City Home School Assistance Program.[2] Upon graduation from the Professional Children's School in New York City, he went on to study at the American University of Paris.

Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway

Ko landed the title role in the Broadway show, Billy Elliot the Musical, as the first replacement Billy for Kiril Kulish. Ko was discovered when taking classes for one week at Steps on Broadway during the summer of 2008.[2] He relocated in 2009 to New York City from Iowa with his family. Alex made his Broadway debut on 6 October 2009 and made his final performance as Billy on 15 May 2011.

Television

Ko made a cameo appearance at Sugarland's televised broadcast of their Unstaged concert held in NYC in October 2010. He went on to make his national television debut in November 2010 (NBC) and February 2011(Hallmark Channel), when he appeared as a guest artist on NBC's production of Shall We Dance On Ice? with a solo performance and a duet with Broadway performer, Cody Green.[5]

Ko also appeared in a guest role on ABC Family's Bunheads in June 2012 directed by Kenny Ortega.[6][7]

American Ballet Theater

Ko continued his dance education at the Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School (ballet) – Pre-Professional Division of the American Ballet Theatre.[2]

HarperCollins

Upon leaving his role as "Billy" in Billy Elliot the Musical, Ko announced he was represented by literary agent, Charlotte Sheedy, and secured a contract with HarperCollins to publish a book about his life's journey to Broadway. His autobiography, Alex Ko: From Iowa to Broadway, My Billy Elliot Story, was published on 30 April 2013. The book trailer, published by HarperCollins,[8] was produced and directed by Stephen Daldry.

Awards and Honors

Ko was honored by President Barack Obama at The White House on 28 May 2013 for his Broadway and literary accomplishments as an influential Asian-American in the Arts, along with Amy Tan and Lisa Ling.[9]

References

  1. ↑ "Cheuk Man Ko". IMDb.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Ko, Alex. "Alex Ko - Alex Ko - Hardcover". HarperCollins US.
  3. ↑ International Gymnast, July/August 2010
  4. ↑ FYI University of Iowa Archived 2010-08-04 at the Wayback Machine. uiowa.edu, September 8, 2009
  5. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "NBC's 'Shall We Dance on Ice' to Feature ELLIOT's Alex Ko et al., 11/7".
  6. ↑ Theatermania theatermania.com, May 31, 2012
  7. ↑ Broadway World tv.broadwayworld.com, May 31, 2012
  8. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37Yqjo1KHFI
  9. ↑ Desk, BWW News. "President Obama to Honor BILLY ELLIOT's Alex Ko at White House".
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