Jon Jon Briones Joins the Cast of ABC’s Beauty and the Beast
Filipino-American actor Jon Jon Briones joins the 30th anniversary special of Beauty and the Beast alongside singer H.E.R.
Jon Jon Briones, known for his role as Dr. Richard Hanover on Ratched and the Engineer in Miss Saigon, is among those announced as part of the cast of the upcoming live-action of Beauty and the Beast. It will air on ABC in the United States on December 15.
Jon Jon will play the role of Maurice, Belle’s father. Belle will be played by singer H.E.R. whose mother is actually Filipino-American.
Posting a screenshot of the Deadline article on his Instagram last Tuesday, October 18, Jon Jon wrote: “I love that this announcement came out during Filipino American History Month. A Filipina and a Filipino representing. And what an amazing and diverse cast! Plus my kids think I’m really cool to be playing @hermusicofficial ‘s father!”
Aside from Jon Jon, other cast members include Canadian singer Shania Twain, Martin Short, and David Alan Grier. They will play the roles of Cogsworth, Mrs. Potts, and Lumiere respectively.
Also part of the show in celebration of Beauty and the Beast‘s 30th anniversary is singer Josh Groban. He will play the Beast while Joshua Henry is Gaston. Westside Story star Rita Moreno will narrate the show.
Jon Chu, who directed In the Heights and Crazy Rich Asians, will helm the special. This will be streamed on Disney+, too.
Making waves in the international scene
Jon Jon Briones is one of several Filipino-American and Asian actors who continue to make waves on the international scene. Having several roles under his resume in the US, Jon Jon is a familiar face to many Filipinos as the Engineer in Miss Saigon, which he reprised on its 25th anniversary.
Aside from Miss Saigon and Ratched, Jon Jon also had roles in Law and Order, Star Trek: Picard, American Crime Story, and American Horror Story to name a few. He was the voice of Hank/Xa-mul in Netflix’s Trese.
Jon Jon has been married for more than 20 years to his wife Megan. They have two kids, Isa and Teo, who are also following them in showbiz.
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