Skylar Astin

Skylar Astin Lipstein (born September 23, 1987) is an American actor and singer. He became known for portraying Jesse Swanson in the musical films Pitch Perfect (2012) and Pitch Perfect 2 (2015). He originated the role of Georg in the Broadway musical Spring Awakening, and has since appeared in films such as Hamlet 2 (2008), Taking Woodstock (2009), Cavemen (2013), and 21 & Over (2013). He played the role of Greg Serrano on the last season of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, a role originally played by Santino Fontana, and Max in the musical dramedy Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (2020). He plays the title role in the 2022 CBS drama So Help Me Todd. Early life Astin was born in New York City, the son of Meryl and Barry Lipstein, a garment industry executive. He is Jewish and has a sister, Brielle, and two brothers, Milan and Jace. Growing up in New City, New York, he graduated from Clarkstown High School North and attended Stagedoor Manor performing arts summer camp. He was also a student at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, but he took a leave of absence when cast in Spring Awakening. Lipstein says that when he was 15, his agent suggested he use his middle name, Astin, instead of his surname as his stage last name to be "less specific to one thing" and that he is not embarrassed or ashamed of his decision. Career Astin's first professional role was a minor role in the original Off-Broadway and Broadway cast of Spring Awakening as Georg, a male student with a crush on his piano teacher. He had short solos in multiple songs, but the character is noted for his belting in the song "Touch Me". During his run as Georg, Astin filmed the role Rand Posin in the film Hamlet 2. He sang "Raped in the Face" on the soundtrack with Phoebe Strole, a Spring Awakening castmate, and his co-star in the film, and the film's star, Steve Coogan. Screenings of the film at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival led to Astin signing on with United Talent Agency. Astin joined the cast of the 2009 Adam Carolla sitcom Ace in the Hole on CBS. However, the show was not picked up by the network.