Lin-Manuel Miranda is a world-renowned American composer, lyricist, actor, playwright, and film director. He has pioneered a new trend by incorporating hip-hop music into Broadway theater and Hollywood. He was born on January 16, 1980, in New York City; his family is originally from Puerto Rico. His father, Luis A. Miranda Jr., is a political consultant, and his mother, Luz Towns-Miranda, is a clinical psychologist. Consequently, he grew up in an environment steeped in music, art, and theater.