Lin-Manuel Miranda

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, The Cardinal will feature prominent and historical Hispanic Americans, living or dead, who have worked toward change, advancement, and/or world peace. Some of them are heroes, and some are unsung heroes who deserve recognition, and have made a contribution to society.

Emanuel Cruz, Senior Writer

October 15, 2024

On January 16, 1980, Lin-Manuel Miranda was born in New York City to Puerto Rican parents. Growing up in the culturally rich neighborhood of Washington Heights, Miranda was deeply influenced by his heritage and the vibrant arts scene around him. His love for theater was sparked at a young age when he saw Les Misérables on Broadway; an experience that left a lasting impression on him. Miranda’s career took off with his musical In the Heights, which he wrote, composed, and starred in. Premiering in 2008, the show celebrated the lives of the residents of Washington Heights and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical. This success established Miranda as a prominent figure in theater.

However, Miranda is best known for his musical Hamilton: An American Musical. Premiering Off-Broadway in January 2015 at New York City’s Public Theater, Hamilton reimagines the life of Alexander Hamilton using a diverse cast and a blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical styles. The musical moved to Broadway in July 2015 and was a massive success, earning a record 16 Tony nominations and winning 11 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Miranda’s performance as Hamilton and his work on the show earned him numerous accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2016.

In addition to his theater achievements, Miranda has made significant contributions to film and television. He wrote and performed music for the Disney animated film Moana, earning an Academy Award nomination for the song “How Far I’ll Go.” Miranda is also a dedicated activist. He worked with the Hispanic Federation to raise millions of dollars to help Puerto Rico recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Maria. His contributions have earned him numerous honors, including the Kennedy Center Honor in 2018 and the MacArthur Foundation’s Genius Award.

“Give your time, give your heart, give your service, give someone something you made. It feels incredible,” expressed Miranda.

About the Contributor

Emanuel Cruz, Senior Writer

Emanuel Cruz is a senior at Hoover High School. He was born on April 13, born and raised in San Diego, California. His parents immigrated to the US to live the American dream. He has two older siblings but will be the first in his family to graduate from Hoover. He also has two cats that he treasures and loves, he also had a pet turtle but sadly passed away this summer. He doesn’t really have a plan after high school but does want to attend UCSD or SDSU. He wishes to have a stable career in the medical field and is inspired by both his sister and brother. Outside of school he enjoys watching movies and playing video games. His all time favorite movies are Everything Everywhere All At Once, Interstellar, and La La Land. As for his video games, they are Roblox, Brawl Stars, and Fortnite. But something else that he absolutely loves is FOOD! His favorite dish is chilaquiles with a cold glass of iced tea. Although he may be shy and quiet at first glance, once you get to know him he will be the opposite of shy and quiet.

“I swear, I am a nice person you just need to get to know me.” - Emanuel Cruz