25 Surprising Facts About Andrew Rannells You Might Not Know
Andrew Rannells may just have the most unexpected singing gig in Hollywood.
“I performed songs from The Book of Mormon at Maude Apatow’s Sweet 16,” Rannells, 47, shared exclusively in his 25 Things You Don’t Know About Me feature in the latest issue of Us Weekly, which is currently on newsstands. “It was a blast, but that was pretty random.”
The Broadway star was part of HBO’s Girls from 2012 to 2017, a series produced by Maude’s father, comedy mastermind Judd Apatow.
Continue reading for more wild anecdotes from Rannells, who will be featured in season 2 of Hulu’s Deli Boys, premiering Thursday, May 28:
1. My go-to dish to whip up is turkey meatballs. The kids absolutely love them. It was the first thing I mastered that they really enjoyed. [Rannells’ partner, Tuc Watkins, is the father of 13-year-old twins Catchen and Curtis.]
2. My clearest childhood memory is performing elaborate lip-sync routines to the soundtrack of West Side Story with my sister Natalie.
3. A memorable moment from Girls was filming the iconic cocaine episode with Lena Dunham.
4. My favorite song from Book of Mormon to sing is “I Believe.” Obviously.
5. When Lena Dunham and I collaborate, there’s a lot of laughter, plenty of hugs, and countless knowing glances.
6. I refrain from reading my own reviews. I learned that early in my career.
7. While performing in Hairspray on Broadway, I mastered the art of blow-drying my hair into a robust pompadour. That’s a skill I still take pride in.
8. I’m definitely a morning person. I love accomplishing a lot before 10 a.m.
9. As a young actor, I idolized my first acting coach, Pam Carter. I thought she was the coolest woman ever.
10. I have a phobia of large crowds in enclosed spaces. That’s likely why I don’t attend more concerts.
11. I have a longstanding passion for working with The Trevor Project. Their efforts are absolutely crucial for young LGBTQ+ individuals.
12. I performed songs from The Book of Mormon at Maude Apatow’s Sweet 16. It was fun, but it was really out of the blue.
13. My go-to karaoke song is undoubtedly “Born to Run” by Bruce Springsteen. No one expects me to know all the lyrics!
14. I cherish the moments when [my family] can agree on something to watch on TV. It’s surprisingly difficult, but when it happens, it’s just perfect.
15. My entire family still calls me Andy. When I moved to New York in 1997, I introduced myself only as Andrew. So if I hear someone call me Andy, it’s a safe bet they’re probably from Omaha, Nebraska.
16. DTF St. Louis was definitely a must-watch in my household! I absolutely adore that entire cast.
17. I once had a fan follow me from the stage door of Hedwig to [Mormon co-star] Rory O’Malley’s wedding reception a few blocks away. They totally crashed the wedding and took photos with Rory’s family!
18. As a teen in Omaha, we often hung out at a place called Stage Right Coffee, where we would watch Conor Oberst perform with his guitar.
19. My most embarrassing moment on stage occurred during a performance of Gutenberg! on Broadway when I ripped the back of my pants. There was no time to leave, so I completed the first act with a significant tear in my pants.
20. My most treasured item is a Saint Andrew medal my parents gifted me for my first communion. I still wear it every day.
21. My first vehicle was a red Ford Escort.
22. The most famous contact in my phone is Meryl Streep.
23. My most starstruck moment? Refer to the previous entry … Meryl Streep.
24. Before performing, it’s crucial for me to take a moment of peace before tackling anything too challenging. I’ve realized I need that little space for myself.
25. My childhood celebrity crush was without a doubt Maxwell Caulfield from Grease 2. No question about it.
