Actor Gerald Ramsey has had quite a year of milestones. After nearly a decade of playing Mufasa in the North American touring production of The Lion King, he bowed out of the Pride Lands back in September. In November, he made his voice acting debut in Moana 2 as Tautai Vasa; the ancestor of Moana who summons her on her new mission to reunite the people of other islands.
It’s a long trek from when I previously interviewed Ramsey eight years ago, where he talked about being a Pacific Islander actor working in professional theatre, as well as his excitement for the release of the original Moana at the time. When I received word both of his departure from the touring production, as well as his casting in the sequel to the beloved 2016 animated film, I knew I had to reunite with him and catch up on where he is in his career.
Over Zoom, Ramsey discusses his decision for leaving The Lion King, how he got cast in Moana 2, on playing ancestors, and his hope to one day play George Washington in Hamilton.
Images courtesy of Gerald Ramsey