Brandon J. Dirden (born ) is an American actor, best known for portraying Martin Luther King Jr. in the Broadway production of Robert Schenkkan's All the Way.
Career Dirden received his bachelor's in math and drama from Morehouse College and his Master of Fine Arts in acting from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. He made his Broadway debut in Prelude to a Kiss. He has since appeared regularly both on and off Broadway in plays such as Clybourne Park, The First Breeze of Summer and Detroit 67.
In 2012, he received an OBIE Award, AUDELCO VIV Award and a Theater World Award and was nominated for The Drama League and Lucille Lortel awards for his portrayal of Boy Willie in the Signature Theatre's revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson. In 2017 he appeared in August Wilson's Jitney at Manhattan Theatre Club, and in 2022, appeared on Broadway in both Dominique Morisseau's Skeleton Crew and the revival of Richard Greenberg's Take Me Out. Dirden was nominated for a Drama Desk Award as Outstanding Actor in a Play for his role as Reggie in Skeleton Crew.
Dirden made his directorial debut in September 2015 directing August Wilson's Seven Guitars at Two River Theater in Red Bank, New Jersey. In 2024, he starred in August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean, also at the Two River Theater.
He played Dennis Aderholt in The Americans. Dirden has guest-starred in TV series such as The Big C, The Good Wife, and Ed Burns' Public Morals.
Personal life Dirden is married to actress Crystal A. Dickinson, whom he met while in graduate school at The University of Illinois. They have one son, Chase Ari Dirden. His brother is Jason Dirden, also an actor. They frequently appear in plays together.
Stage credits YearTitleRoleVenueRef.2007Prelude to a KissEnsembleBroadway, American Airlines Theatre2010EnronSecurity Guard, TraderBroadway, Broadhurst Theatre2012Clybourne ParkAlbert, Kevin (u/s)Broadway, Walter Kerr TheatreThe Piano LessonBoy WillieOff-Broadway, Signature Theatre Company2014All the WayRev. Martin Luther King Jr.Broadway, Neil Simon Theatre2017JitneyBoosterBroadway, Samuel J. Friedman Theatre2022Skeleton CrewReggieTake Me OutDavey BattleBroadway, Hayes TheatreBroadway, Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre2025Waiting for GodotPozzoBroadway, Hudson Theatre
Awards and nominations YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef.2013Theatre World AwardThe Piano LessonLucille Lortel AwardLead Actor in a PlayDrama League AwardDistinguished PerformanceObie AwardDistinguished Performance2022Drama Desk AwardOutstanding Actor in a PlaySkeleton CrewOuter Critics Circle AwardOutstanding Featured Actor in a Play 2026Tony AwardBest Featured Actor in a PlayWaiting for Godot
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