The voice behind Adam, the arrogant first man and heavenly executioner in Amazon Prime’s hit series Hazbin Hotel, belongs to Broadway star Alex Brightman. A celebrated theatre actor with multiple Tony Award nominations, Brightman uses his powerful voice and musical talent to portray one of the show’s main antagonists.
The casting is a perfect fit for the adult animated musical, which has packed its voice cast with an exceptional lineup of Broadway performers. Brightman’s journey from the live stage to voicing animated characters highlights the deep connection between Hazbin Hotel and the world of musical theatre.
The Broadway Star Behind Adam’s Voice
Alex Brightman is an American actor and singer, born on February 5, 1987. While fans of the series now know him for his voice work, he built his career and reputation on the Broadway stage, earning critical acclaim for his energetic and comedic performances.
His path to Hazbin Hotel was paved by his success in major musical theatre productions. Brightman first gained significant attention when he originated the lead role of Dewey Finn in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s School of Rock: The Musical. His performance was so well-received that it earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musical in 2016. This role is even referenced in Hazbin Hotel, where Adam can be seen scribbling “Stick it to the man,” a nod to a famous song from the musical.
He later took on another iconic role, originating the title character in Beetlejuice: The Musical. This performance brought him his second Tony Award nomination in the same category in 2019. The unique, chaotic voice he crafted for Beetlejuice directly led to his involvement in the animated “Hellaverse,” as series creator Vivienne Medrano saw the show and asked him to use a similar voice for a character in Helluva Boss, a sister series to Hazbin Hotel.
More Than One Helluva Role: Brightman’s Versatility in Animation
Alex Brightman doesn’t just voice one character in Hazbin Hotel; he voices two. In addition to playing Adam, he also provides the voice for the snake-like, mustache-twirling villain Sir Pentious. His ability to create two distinct characters for the same show demonstrates his impressive vocal range.
His work with creator Vivienne Medrano began earlier on Helluva Boss, where he voices the popular characters Fizzarolli and Robo Fizz. According to Brightman, he was already part of Helluva Boss when Medrano asked if he would like to join Hazbin Hotel. He revealed that he auditioned for nearly every male role in the series, eventually landing both Adam and Sir Pentious.
According to a trivia note on the Hellaverse Wiki, Brightman based his distinctive voice for Sir Pentious on actor Peter MacNicol and his role as Renfield from the film Dracula: Dead and Loving It.
His animation work extends beyond Medrano’s shows. He also voiced characters in the Netflix animated series Dead End: Paranormal Park and made a guest appearance as the cartoon version of Beetlejuice on Teen Titans Go!.
A Cast Packed with Theatre Talent
Brightman is far from the only Broadway star lending his voice to the underworld. Hazbin Hotel features a sprawling cast of theatre veterans, making it a unique highlight for musical fans.
The lead character, Charlie Morningstar, is voiced by Erika Henningsen, who originated the role of Cady Heron on Broadway in Mean Girls: The Musical. Jeremy Jordan, known for starring in Newsies and Bonnie & Clyde on Broadway, brings a complex charm to Lucifer Morningstar, Charlie’s father. The powerful angel Lute is voiced by Jessica Vosk, a former Elphaba in Wicked whose song “Gravity” in the show became an instant hit.
Other notable stage talents in the cast include two-time Tony winner Christian Borle as the media demon Vox, Darren Criss as Saint Peter, and Tony winner James Monroe Iglehart as the ancient demon Zestial. This incredible concentration of Broadway talent underscores the show’s musical ambitions and has led to real-world events like the Hazbin Hotel Live on Broadway concert, which was held in October 2024.
From Stage to Studio: Brightman’s Current Projects
Alex Brightman continues to balance his voice acting work with a thriving stage career. In early 2024, he performed in a Broadway revival of the musical Spamalot. Looking ahead, he is scheduled to star as Josh Skinner in the Broadway production of Schmigadoon!, with previews beginning in April 2026.
On screen, audiences can hear him as Adam and Sir Pentious in Season 2 of Hazbin Hotel, which premiered on October 29, 2024, on Amazon Prime Video. His dual roles allow him to showcase both his villainous and comedic sides, with Adam representing celestial arrogance and Sir Pentious providing over-the-top, mustache-twirling antics.
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