Scott Leo “Taye” Diggs Berry is an American actor and singer. Taye, with his great looks and many talents, became a star in theater, TV, and movies. He is best known for his work in television shows like “Private Practice” and “Murder in the First.” Diggs has appeared in over 30 films and numerous television shows in a career spanning over two decades. He is also a seasoned Broadway actor, having appeared in pivotal roles in popular musicals like “Rent” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”

Early Life

Taye Diggs was born on January 2, 1971, in Newark, New Jersey, but grew up in Rochester, New York, in the South Wedge neighborhood. His father, Andre Young, was a visual artist, and his mother, Marcia (née Berry), was a teacher and actress. He took the last name Diggs from his stepfather, Jeffries Diggs. Taye Diggs got his name “Taye” from his childhood nickname “Scott-taye,” given by one of his uncles. He’s the oldest of five siblings. His brothers, Gabriel and Michael, are musicians, and he has two sisters, Christian and Shalom. One sister is a dancer, and the other is studying to be a veterinarian.

He attended Allendale Columbia School in Rochester and later transferred to the School of the Arts. He graduated with a BFA in musical theater from Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts in 1993.

Career

Diggs performed at Lakes Region Summer Theatre in Meredith, New Hampshire, and spent the summer of 1992 at New London Barn Playhouse in New London, New Hampshire. His Broadway debut was in the ensemble cast of the 1994 Tony Award-winning revival of the musical “Carousel.” In 1995, he danced in Sebastian’s Caribbean Carnival at Tokyo Disneyland.

In 1996, Diggs starred as Benny in the award-winning “Rent,” where he met his future wife, Idina Menzel. He later appeared with Menzel in “The Wild Party.” He also played The Bandleader in the film version of “Chicago” and briefly took on the role of Billy Flynn on Broadway.

Afterward, Diggs transitioned to television with a role in “Guiding Light.” He debuted in film with “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” in 1998, followed by “Go” and “The Wood.” In “The Best Man,” he played the title character, a close friend of the groom.

Diggs appeared in the horror movie “House on Haunted Hill” in 1999. He also participated in an acting challenge on “America’s Next Top Model” and played lawyer Jackson Duper on “Ally McBeal.”

He starred in “Kevin Hill,” but despite positive reception, it was not renewed for a second season. He also appeared in the movie “Rent” and sang on its soundtrack, as well as in other shows like “Carousel” and “The Wild Party.” In “Chicago,” he played the bandleader and co-starred with Christian Bale in “Equilibrium.”

In 2006, he appeared on “Will & Grace” as James, Will’s love interest. He starred in ABC’s “Day Break,” playing a detective stuck in the same day, which was canceled due to low viewership.

From 2007 to 2013, Diggs starred in “Private Practice” as Sam Bennett. He also had a small part on “The West Wing” and appeared on “Grey’s Anatomy” in a crossover event.

In 2011, he starred in “Dylan Dog: Dead of Night” and narrated the documentary “The Fab Five.” He starred in “Between Us,” which won an award at the Bahamas International Film Festival in 2012.

From 2014 to 2016, Diggs starred in TNT’s “Murder in the First” with Kathleen Robertson. He is also a children’s book author, having written “Mixed Me!” and “Chocolate Me!” He played Hedwig in a Broadway show.

In 2017, he appeared in ” ‘Til Death Do Us Part” and voiced Capper the cat in “My Little Pony: The Movie.”

Diggs has appeared twice on Paramount Network’s reality competition series “Lip Sync Battle” and is the show’s only two-time winner. He performed Ne-Yo’s “Let Me Love You (Until You Learn to Love Yourself)” and Madonna’s “Vogue,” as well as Christina Aguilera’s “Beautiful” and “Candyman” against Erika Jayne.

He hosted the game show “Hypnotize Me” with hypnotist Keith Barry, which aired on The CW in 2019.

Taye Diggs and his friend Andrew Palermo run a dance company called Dre.dance. They both went to the School of the Arts together.

 Personal Life

Taye Diggs married his “Rent” co-star, actress Idina Menzel, on January 11, 2003. They have a son named Walker Nathaniel Diggs, born on September 2, 2009. The couple separated in 2013, and their divorce was finalized on December 3, 2014. Idina Menzel discussed the impact of being in an interracial marriage with Taye Diggs, citing it as a factor in their 2014 divorce. The couple, who met during the original Broadway run of “Rent,” faced scrutiny and disappointment from various communities. Despite their supportive relationship, racial dynamics played a significant role in their personal lives.

Taye Diggs’ romantic involvement with Amanza Smith spanned from 2014 to 2019, as reported. Later, in late 2021, he embarked on a relationship with Apryl Jones, notable as the mother of singer Omarion’s children. This development garnered attention, especially given Jones’ profile as a star on “Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood

Taye Diggs – Height 

Taye Diggs is 5 feet 10 inches tall, which is about 1.78 meters.

How did Taye Diggs build his Net Worth?

Taye Diggs earns from his acting, singing, and writing careers. His net worth is estimated to be around $16 million.

Sources of Income:

1. Television:
   • Private Practice (2007-2013): Played Dr. Sam Bennett, earning about $100,000 per episode.
   • Murder in the First (2014-2016): Contributed significantly to his earnings.
   • Other TV Appearances: Roles in “Will & Grace,” “Kevin Hill” ($80,000 per episode), “Day Break,” “Grey’s Anatomy,” “The West Wing,” and “Ally McBeal.”
2. Film:
   • Rent (2005), How Stella Got Her Groove Back (1998), The Best Man (1999), and The Best Man Holiday (2013): Contributed to his substantial earnings.
   • Other Films: Including “The Wood,” “Brown Sugar,” “Chicago,” and “Equilibrium.”
3. Broadway:
   • Rent (1996): Made $80,000 per week.
   • Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2015): Showcased his versatility and brought in considerable earnings.
   • Other Productions: Such as “The Wild Party” and “Carousel.”
4. Children’s Books:
   • Mixed Me! (2015) and Chocolate Me! (2011): Well-received books addressing themes of identity and self-acceptance.
5. Reality TV and Hosting:
   • Lip Sync Battle: Only two-time winner.
   • Hypnotize Me: Hosted this game show.
6. Voice Work:
   • My Little Pony: The Movie (2017): Voiced the character Capper.
7. Endorsements and Commercials:
   • Various endorsements and commercials likely added to his earnings.
8. Theater Companies:
   • Dre.dance: Co-runs a dance company with Andrew Palermo.

Real Estate:

• Studio City, California (2011): Purchased a property worth $2 million. The nearly 5000 square feet home featured 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, a terrace, pool, treehouse, spa, three-car garages, and gardens. Sold the house for $2.55 million after his divorce from Idina Menzel.

Salaries

• TV Shows: Estimated between $100,000 to $200,000 per episode.
• Broadway: Reportedly made $80,000 per week for “Rent.”

Has Taye Diggs been in any Controversy?

Taye Diggs, recognized for his multifaceted career spanning acting and theater, has notably avoided significant controversies. Throughout his tenure in the spotlight, he’s primarily focused on his craft, with minor tabloid rumors occasionally surfacing about his personal life and relationships. In 2015, Taye Diggs faced scrutiny for expressing his preference that his biracial son not be solely labeled as Black, though he later clarified his remarks as intended to provoke discussion.

Taye Diggs on Social Media

https://www.facebook.com/TayeDiggs/

https://x.com/tayediggs

https://www.instagram.com/tayediggsinsta/