Paolo Montalban

Paolo Montalban (born May 21, 1973) is a Filipino-American actor and singer best known for his performance in the 1997 Disney television film, Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella as Prince Christopher, opposite Brandy as Cinderella.[1] He reprised that role in a stage version of the musical with Deborah Gibson and then Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Cinderella and Eartha Kitt as the Fairy Godmother.[2][3]

Paolo Montalban
Montalban at the 67th Drama Desk Awards on June 6, 2023
Born (1973-05-21) May 21, 1973
Manila, Philippines
EducationSt. Peter's Preparatory School
Alma materRutgers University (B.S.)
Occupation(s)Actor, singer
Years active1997–present
Notable work

Early life

Montalban was born in Manila, Philippines to Paul and Vivian Montalban.[4] His family immigrated to the United States when he was a year old and lived in a studio apartment in Manhattan's West Side across the street from The Juilliard School and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts.[4] He is an alumnus of St. Peter's Preparatory School and holds a degree in pre-med psychology from Rutgers University.[5]

Career

In 1997, Montalban starred in Cinderella as Prince Christopher alongside Whitney Houston, Whoopi Goldberg and Brandy. He also played Kung Lao in the syndicated series Mortal Kombat: Conquest along with Daniel Bernhardt and Kristanna Loken.

Montalban was also cast in John Dahl's The Great Raid as Sgt. Valera, and played Raul[6] in the independent film American Adobo. He also appeared in Just Wright starring Queen Latifah, The Adjustment Bureau, and the short film Two Weeks.

Montalban was named one of People's 50 Most Beautiful People of 1998.[7]

He has appeared on Broadway in Pacific Overtures, The King and I and Breakfast at Tiffany's, starring Emilia Clarke. Off-Broadway he was in Two Gentlemen of Verona at Shakespeare in the Park, The Romance of Magno Rubio at Ma Yi Theater Company, among others.[8] He also guest starred in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (Season 8, Episode 20: "Annihilated") and One Life to Live.

Montalban has appeared in productions of The King and I on Broadway and around the country, where he has played both Lun Tha, the young lover, and the title role of the King.[9] In 2022, Montalban starred as Captain Von Trapp in the Dallas Theater Center production of The Sound of Music at the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.[10] On March 28, 2023, he succeeded Peter Francis James as Florenz Ziegfeld in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl and remained with the show until it closed on September 3 of that year.[11][12] He is also set to reunite with Brandy in the Disney+ movie Descendants: The Rise of Red, part of the Descendants franchise.[13]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2001 American Adobo Raul
2005 The Great Raid Sgt. Valera
2010 Just Wright Sommelier
2012 Two Weeks Dad Short film
2020 The Girl Who Left Home Tony
TBA Asian Persuasion Lee-Kwan Lee
TBA Descendants: The Rise of Red King Charming

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Cinderella Prince Christopher TV movie
1998-1999 Mortal Kombat: Conquest Kung Lao 22 episodes
2007 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Wahid Episode: "Annihilated"
2010 One Life to Live Tahiti Cop #1 Episode 10,763
2013 City of Dreams Paolo Montalban Episode: "The Ballad of Ofagina"
2015 Madam Secretary Military Tech 2 episodes
2015 Nurse Jackie Second Investigator Episode: "Jackie and the Wolf"
2015 The Blacklist Forensic Agent Episode: "Arioch Cain"

See also

References
  1. "Paolo Montalban: Actor". People.com. May 11, 1998. Retrieved 1 April 2012.
  2. The Shoe Fits: R&H's Cinderella Begins Tour Nov. 28 in FL Playbill, November 28, 2000
  3. Tour of R&H's Cinderella, With Sigler, Kitt and Quinton, Lands in NYC May 3-13 Playbill, May 3, 2001
  4. Gamalinda, Eric (1999). "Prince Charming". In Yuson, Alfred A. (Executive); Gamalinda, Eric (Associate) (eds.). Fil-Am: The Filipino American Experience. Makati City: Publico, Inc. pp. 162–163. ISBN 971-92110-0-8. Retrieved 2023-03-30 – via Internet Archive text collection.
  5. "Paolo Montalban". broadwaysings.com.
  6. Magi, Vince. "American Adobo". americanadobo.com. Retrieved 2007-09-22. Star Awards--Best New Actor nominee, Paolo Montalban ... WINNER Filipino Heritage Award – Most Promising Talent, Paolo Montalban
  7. "Paolo Mantalban". The Kennedy Center. Archived from the original on 7 December 2013. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
  8. "Paolo Montalban Theatre Credits". Broadway World.
  9. 'Shall We Schmooze?' Paolo Montalban on Playing The King in ‘The King and I’ at Olney Theatre Center by Joel Markowitz DC Metro Theatre Arts
  10. VIDEO: First Look at Paolo Montalban, Tiffany Solano & More in THE SOUND OF MUSIC Broadway World, April 6, 2022
  11. Paolo Montalban and Anne L. Nathan Will Join Cast of FUNNY GIRL on Broadway Broadway World, March 21, 2023
  12. 'Goodbye, Gorgeous!' Funny Girl, Starring Lea Michele and Tovah Feldshuh, Plays Final Broadway Performance September 3 Playbill, September 3, 2023
  13. Segarra, Edward (March 22, 2023). "'A royal occasion': Brandy, Paolo Montalban to reprise 'Cinderella' roles in 'Descendants' film". Usa Today. Retrieved March 23, 2023.
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