Ramin Karimloo, a renowned Iranian-Canadian singer and actor, was born on September 19, 1978, in Tehran, Iran. His early life was marked by turmoil, as his parents were forced to flee Iran due to the Islamic Revolution when he was just two months old. The family eventually settled in Peterborough, Canada, where Karimloo grew up.
His fascination with the performing arts began at a young age, and he credits a school trip to see a touring production of "The Phantom of the Opera" at the tender age of 12 for sparking his desire to become an actor. This experience had a profound impact on him, and he went on to attend Alexander Mackenzie High School in Richmond Hill, Canada.
However, Karimloo's academic pursuits were short-lived, as he dropped out of school at the age of 18 to pursue a career in the entertainment industry. He landed a job as a performer on a cruise ship, where he honed his skills and eventually took over as the lead singer after the previous performer departed.
It was during his time on the cruise ship that Karimloo met his future wife, Amanda Ramsden, also known as Mandy. The couple eventually moved to London, where Karimloo found work as a factory worker while also pursuing his passion for singing and acting.
In 2001, he secured a voice teacher and an agent, which led to a series of small roles in touring musicals, including "Sunset Boulevard" and "The Pirates of Penzance". His breakthrough came in 2002 when he made his West End debut as Feuilly in "Les Misérables", understudying Marius and Enjolras.
Karimloo's subsequent roles in "The Phantom of the Opera" and "Miss Saigon" solidified his reputation as a talented and versatile performer. He also appeared in a small role in the 2004 film adaptation of "The Phantom of the Opera".
In 2007, Karimloo made history by becoming the youngest actor to play the iconic role of the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera", a position he held until 2009. He was subsequently chosen by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in "Love Never Dies", a new musical that continues the story of the Phantom.
Karimloo's impressive range and talent were further showcased in 2010 when he played Enjolras in "Les Misérables in Concert: The 25th Anniversary", alongside his childhood hero Colm Wilkinson. The following year, he reprised his role as the Phantom in "The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall", which featured Wilkinson as a special guest.
In 2012, Karimloo released his debut album, simply titled "Ramin", which was later renamed "Human Heart" for the US market. He made his Broadway debut in 2013, starring as Jean Valjean in "Les Misérables", earning a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical in the process.
Karimloo has since appeared in a range of musicals, including "The Secret Garden", "Murder Ballad", "Anastasia", and "Evita". He is married to Mandy and has two sons, Jaiden and Hadley.
