Growing up in Marietta, Georgia, Colt Prattes developed a passion for the performing arts early on. He made the long commute—about 90 minutes each way—to attend a specialized performing arts school, showing dedication even at a young age. After finishing school, Colt Prattes set his sights on Broadway, and it didn’t take long for him to make his mark. In 2008, Colt Prattes joined the touring production of A Chorus Line, a milestone that kicked off his professional stage career. Not long after, he appeared in major Broadway revivals, including West Side Story in 2009 and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2011, further solidifying his presence in the theater world.
While his stage work was gaining momentum, Colt Prattes also began exploring opportunities on screen. His first onscreen role came with a guest appearance on the NBC medical drama Mercy, which aired from 2009 to 2010. Though it was a brief part, it marked the beginning of his transition into television and film. Then, in 2017, Colt Prattes truly stepped into the spotlight. That year, he landed the lead role of Johnny Castle—the iconic character originally played by Patrick Swayze—in ABC’s TV movie remake of Dirty Dancing. The performance brought him widespread recognition and introduced Colt Prattes to a much broader audience.
Also in 2017, exciting news came when it was announced that Colt Prattes would join the cast of the upcoming series This Close, as a series regular. The show, which premiered on Sundance Now in 2018, offered him another platform to showcase his range and talent. With each new project, Colt Prattes continued building a diverse and impressive body of work across both stage and screen.
So, when it comes to Colt Prattes, his highest rated performance so far has definitely been in The Merry Gentlemen (2024)—that one really stood out and earned some great reviews. I mean, let’s be honest, not every project turns out the same, and while Colt Prattes gave it his all, his role in Dirty Dancing (2017) didn’t quite hit the same high notes, receiving more mixed or lower ratings overall. Still, you’ve got to respect the range—Colt Prattes has shown he can take on different kinds of roles, even if some resonate more with audiences than others. It’ll be interesting to see what Colt Prattes does next, especially after the success of The Merry Gentlemen.