Ethan Slater is an American actor and singer, born on June 2, 1992, in Washington, D.C. He gained prominence for his portrayal of SpongeBob SquarePants in the Broadway musical “SpongeBob SquarePants: The Broadway Musical,” a role that earned him a Tony Award nomination and won him the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical in 2018.
Slater’s career includes notable stage performances in productions such as “Camelot,” “Assassins,” and “Spamalot.” In 2024, he expanded his repertoire by playing Boq Woodsman in the film adaptation of the musical “Wicked,” directed by Jon M. Chu.
In his personal life, Slater married his high school sweetheart, Dr. Lilly Jay, a clinical psychologist, in 2018. The couple separated in 2023 following the birth of their son the previous year.
Slater began a relationship with singer Ariana Grande, whom he met on the set of “Wicked.” Grande has publicly praised Slater, describing him as “such an amazing person.”
As of March 2025, Slater is involved in the television series “ELSBETH,” with reports indicating his return for the season finale alongside other notable actors.