Randy Rainbow: National Freakin’ Treasure

Randy Rainbow is a four-time EMMY® and GRAMMY®-nominated American comedian, producer, actor, singer, writer, satirist, host, and New York Times bestselling author known for his popular web series, The Randy Rainbow Show. His debut memoir, Playing with Myself received rave reviews by such venerable outlets as The LA TIMES, which noted that Rainbow “vividly recollects the alienation so many LGBTQ+ youth experience.” Musical theater was an escape for Rainbow that ultimately helped catapult his career. His musical parodies and political spoofs have garnered him worldwide acclaim and four consecutive EMMY® nominations for Outstanding Short-Form Variety Series.

Rainbow (yes, that’s his real name) enjoys a star-studded fan base which regularly shares his work. Some notable admirers include Ryan Reynolds, Carol Burnett, John Legend, Mark Hamill, Hillary Clinton, Stephen Sondheim, Jane Lynch, Ana Navarro, Barry Manilow, Ben Stiller, Sarah Silverman, Rosie O’Donnell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Steve Martin, and Martin Short. As an actor, he has appeared onscreen as a featured guest star in the FX comedy/drama series Better Things, and on the New York stage as a lead in the Encores! series revival of Call Me Madam at New York City Center.

In 2019, TONY®, GRAMMY®, and EMMY®-winning composer and lyricist Marc Shaiman collaborated with Rainbow on his holiday EP, Hey Gurl, It’s Christmas!, which debuted at #1 on Billboard’s Comedy chart and #1 on the iTunes Holiday chart. His first full-length studio album, A Little Brains, A Little Talent, also debuted at #1 and earned Rainbow his first GRAMMY® nomination for Best Comedy Album in 2023. The album, released through Broadway Records, features duets with Patti LuPone, Tituss Burgess, Bernadette Peters, Josh Gad, and his first writing collaboration with EGOT recipient Alan Menken.

Touring the U.S. with his sold out solo musical comedy concerts, the influencer and Internet sensation’s viral comedy videos have received hundreds of millions of views across all social media and digital platforms. His fresh take on politics and current events has led to interviews and profiles by The Washington Post (magazine cover story), CBS Sunday Morning, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Hollywood Reporter, CNN, NPR, ABC News, OUT, People, and Entertainment Weekly.

As The Washington Post noted, Randy Rainbow has found his spotlight through the Internet, emerging as a viral sensation who dispenses musical comedy salve for a divided nation.