Alex Ko

Nicholas Alexander Ko (born February 3, 1996) is an American actor, film director and screenwriter. He won the title role in Billy Elliot the Musical on Broadway in 2009. Early life Ko is the middle child of three children. He was born and raised in Iowa City, Iowa. Ko's father, Cheukman Sam Ko, was born in Hong Kong where he was working professionally including projects: Shanghai Surprise and The Protector (1985 film). Ko's father became an entrepreneur after relocating to the United States in 1992 and died of cancer when Alex was 11 years old. His mother, Tammie Cumming, was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and raised in DeLand, Florida. At the age of 13, Ko and his family relocated to New York City to perform the title role of Billy in "Billy Elliot the Musical" on Broadway. Ko said that his household is influenced heavily by the Chinese culture. Ko won National and Regional Dance and Gymnastics Championship titles since the age of 5-years old. He was the youngest student admitted to The University of Iowa Department of Dance, where he earned college credit and a 4.0 grade-point-average. He was also awarded full scholarships to Steps on Broadway and the Joffrey Ballet School in New York City. Education After attending elementary school at the age of 12, Ko was accepted to The University of Iowa in Iowa City under Iowa's Talented and Gifted law and dual-enrolled in the Iowa City Home School Assistance Program.