Profile Text
Kail – For Your Consideration Event for FOX’s “Grease Live!” – Arrivals – Paramount Studios – Hollywood, CA, USA, 2016 – Photo Credit: Guillermo Proano / PR Photos
Birth Name: Thomas Michael Kail
Place of Birth: Alexandria, Virginia, U.S.
Date of Birth: January 20, 1977
Ethnicity: Ashkenazi Jewish
Thomas Kail is an American film and theatre director, and producer. He directed the musicals In the Heights and Hamilton on stage. He has directed the filmed stage-play Hamilton (2020) and the upcoming live action Moana (2026). He was also a musical director for television’s The Electric Company ; and has directed episodes of the series 2 Broke Girls , The Jack and Triumph Show , Fosse/Verdon , Up Here , and We Were the Lucky Ones ; and the tv special Grease Live!
Thomas is the son of Wendy and Floyd Kail. He is married to actress Michelle Williams , with whom he has three children.
Thomas’ paternal grandfather was Nathan “Nat” Kail (the son of Joseph Kail and Fannie/Fanny Green). Joseph was born in Austria, the son of Meyer Kail and Celia Kress. Fannie was born in either New York or in Lemburg, Austria, to parents from Austria, Harris Green and Ruth, possibly Goldstein.
Thomas’ paternal grandmother was Harriett Lenox (the daughter of Jack Lenox and Sarah E. Shainman). Harriett was born in Maine, to parents from Russia. Jack was the son of Bessie.
Thomas’ maternal grandfather was named Herbert S. Green/Greene.
Thomas’ maternal grandmother was named Edythe Freiberg.
Sources: https://www.kveller.com
Genealogy of Thomas Kail – https://www.geni.com
Obituary of Thomas’ paternal grandfather, Nathan Kail – http://www.findagrave.com
Obituary of Thomas’ paternal great-uncle (grandmother’s brother) – http://www.legacy.com
Obituary of Thomas’ maternal grandfather, Herbert S. Green/Greene – http://www.legacy.com