JD McCrary has truly made a name for himself as both an actor and singer, captivating audiences with his incredible talent from a young age. From the very beginning, JD McCrary showed a natural flair for performance—born in 2007 in Granada Hills, CA, into a family of singers, he was already belting out Michael Jackson tunes by the time he was just three years old. While music ran in his blood, it was actually JD McCrary’s early work in front of the camera that first put him on the map. He appeared in short films like “Second Chance” (2014) and “Atom: The Misadventures of a Real Super Hero” (2015), and even had a guest spot on the offbeat comedy series “The Eric Andre Show” (Adult Swim, 2012–).
It wasn’t long before JD McCrary got the chance to blend his acting and singing talents. His breakout vocal moment came when he played Singing Kid on the satirical series “Blunt Talk” (Starz, 2015–16). That role opened doors, and soon JD McCrary was being cast in a variety of notable projects. He portrayed younger versions of characters such as Ernie in two episodes of the Disney Channel hit “K.C. Undercover” (2015–), Adam’s brother in the ‘70s-set dramedy “I’m Dying Up Here” (Showtime, 2017–), and even took on the young version of Dr. Dre in the Apple series “Vital Signs” (2018–).
But it was JD McCrary’s voice that really began turning heads. His standout performance on Childish Gambino’s Grammy-nominated album Awaken, My Love—particularly on the haunting track “Terrified”—earned widespread praise and showcased his remarkable vocal range. Around the same time, a one-off appearance on the workplace sitcom “Teachers” (TV Land, 2016–) added to his growing resume. Then came the moment that made him a household name: JD McCrary absolutely wowed viewers with his electrifying rendition of The Jackson 5’s “I Want You Back” on NBC’s “Little Big Shots” (2016–), a performance that quickly went viral.
Following that surge in popularity, JD McCrary landed the recurring role of Kenny on Tyler Perry’s spin-off series “The Paynes” (OWN, 2018–). But without a doubt, one of the biggest milestones in JD McCrary’s career came when he was chosen to voice young Simba in Disney’s highly anticipated live-action remake of The Lion King (2019). With his powerful vocals, undeniable charisma, and consistent rise across film and television, JD McCrary continues to prove that he’s not just a young talent to watch—he’s already making history.
So, when it comes to JD McCrary’s film career, there are a couple of standout points worth mentioning. If we’re talking about his most acclaimed work to date, that would definitely be 13: The Musical from 2022—it really seemed to resonate with both audiences and critics alike. JD McCrary brought a lot of energy and talent to that role, and it clearly paid off in terms of reception. On the flip side, one of his less celebrated projects is Little, released back in 2019. While JD McCrary still delivered a solid performance, the film itself didn’t receive the same level of praise. Overall, JD McCrary continues to build an interesting filmography, showing growth and range—from Little to 13: The Musical, JD McCrary has certainly made his mark in different ways.