GAD
Joshua

• 1. Career
• 1.1. Disney and Film Success
• 1.2. Television and Voice Work
• 1.3. Other Projects and Recognition

Joshua Ilan Gad is an American actor. He is known for voicing Olaf in the Frozen franchise and playing Elder Arnold Cunningham in the Broadway musical The Book of Mormon. For his role as Olaf, Gad won two Annie Awards, and for his work in The Book of Mormon, he co-won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album and received a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical, both shared with Andrew Rannells as one of the two leading artists.

Career

After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University’s College of Fine Arts in 2003, Gad began his career in television with guest appearances on shows like ER and Back to You. His comedic timing and distinctive voice quickly set him apart, but his breakout moment came on Broadway. In 2011, he originated the role of Elder Cunningham in the smash-hit musical The Book of Mormon. The performance earned him a Tony Award nomination and established him as one of Broadway’s rising stars.

Disney and Film Success

Gad reached global fame when he voiced Olaf the snowman in Disney’s Frozen (2013) and its sequel Frozen II (2019). Olaf’s quirky humor and heartfelt songs became a cultural phenomenon, making Gad a household name worldwide. He reprised the role in several Disney shorts and specials, cementing Olaf as one of Disney’s most beloved characters.

Outside of animation, Gad appeared in major films like Beauty and the Beast (2017), where he played LeFou, Disney’s first openly gay character in a live-action adaptation. He also starred in comedies like The Wedding Ringer (2015) alongside Kevin Hart and family-friendly adventures like Artemis Fowl (2020).

Television and Voice Work

Gad’s career has also thrived on television. He co-created and starred in 1600 Penn (2012–2013), a White House family comedy, and later appeared in Avenue 5 (2020–2022), a space-set satire on HBO. His distinctive voice has made him a frequent choice for animated projects, from Ice Age: Continental Drift (2012) to Central Park, the Apple TV+ animated musical comedy where he voices Birdie and serves as co-creator.

Other Projects and Recognition

In addition to acting, Gad has gained attention for his philanthropic and creative projects. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he launched Reunited Apart, a YouTube series that virtually reunited classic film casts such as Back to the Future, Ghostbusters, and The Goonies. The show raised money for various charities and highlighted his passion for both entertainment history and community support.

Today, Gad remains a versatile entertainer who bridges Broadway, Hollywood, and streaming platforms, known for infusing warmth and humor into every role he takes on.