Cole Escola: Pronouns, One Piece Role, and Tony Awards

When a comedian from rural Oregon walks onto a Broadway stage in a custom ballgown and takes home a Tony, it’s clear they’re playing by their own rules. Cole Escola, who uses they/them pronouns, did exactly that in 2024 with Oh, Mary!, a farce about Abraham Lincoln’s wife that became one of the most talked-about shows of the season, and here’s what you need to know about their career, identity, and upcoming role in Netflix’s One Piece.

Born: November 25, 1986 ·
Birthplace: Clatskanie, Oregon, USA ·
Occupation: Comedian, actor, playwright ·
Known for: Oh, Mary!, Hacks, At Home with Amy Sedaris ·
Pronouns: They/them ·
Award: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (2024)

Eight key facts about Cole Escola, one pattern: a career built on subversive comedy that stays true to an unapologetically queer identity.

What are Cole Escola’s pronouns?

Cole Escola uses they/them pronouns publicly and consistently. This is confirmed across their official website and Wikipedia (Cole Escola official site).

Why Cole Escola uses they/them pronouns

• Escola has stated that they/them pronouns align with their identity as a non-binary performer (Cole Escola official site).
• Interviews and social media posts frequently include pronoun discussions.

Public statements on pronouns

• In a 2024 interview with WWD, Escola referenced their choice of clothing as an extension of gender expression, though the topic of pronouns has been covered in earlier outlets.
• Escola’s official website lists their pronouns alongside performance credits (Cole Escola official site).

The implication: Escola’s open handling of pronouns has made them a visible representative of non-binary identity in mainstream entertainment, something still rare for Tony-winning actors.

Is Cole Escola cast as Bon Clay in One Piece Season 3?

Yes—Cole Escola has been cast as Bon Clay in the upcoming third season of Netflix’s One Piece live-action series, as reported by multiple entertainment outlets (All American Speakers).

Confirmed casting details

• Wikipedia lists the casting as announced in 2025, with Escola joining the cast as a series regular (Wikipedia).
• Bon Clay (Bentham) is a flamboyant, loyal character from the Alabasta arc, known for his signature “okama” style and dance-fighting.

Bon Clay character significance

• In the original manga and anime, Bon Clay is a member of the Baroque Works organization who becomes a friend to the Straw Hats.
• The casting signals Netflix’s commitment to diverse representation, after earlier seasons were praised for inclusive casting.

The pattern: Escola is joining a franchise that already values theatrical performance—Bon Clay’s over-the-top personality aligns perfectly with the comedian’s cabaret roots.

What is Cole Escola’s heritage?

Cole Escola is of Portuguese and Irish descent, as stated on their Wikipedia page (Wikipedia). They grew up in Clatskanie, Oregon, a small town near the Columbia River.

Ethnic background and family origins

• Portuguese and Irish heritage is confirmed, though Escola has not publicly detailed specific family histories beyond these two lines (Wikipedia).
• The family background is not explored in depth in interviews; most biographical coverage focuses on Escola’s career and identity.

How heritage influences their work

• Occasional references to their upbringing in the Pacific Northwest appear in comedic sketches, but ethnicity is not a central theme.
• Escola’s official site mentions leaving Oregon at 18 to move to New York City, a common thread among artists from rural areas (Cole Escola official site).

The trade-off: Heritage is a minor note in Escola’s public narrative—their identity as a non-binary performer and the content of their comedy take precedence.

Why did Cole Escola wear a dress to the Tony Awards?

At the 2024 Tony Awards, Cole Escola wore a custom Wiederhoeft gown inspired by Bernadette Peters’ iconic 1986 Tony Awards look (Broadway.com). The choice was a tribute and a personal style statement.

The Wiederhoeft gown design

• The dress featured a dramatic silhouette with a corseted bodice and flowing skirt, echoing Peters’ original design by costume designer William Ivey Long.
• Escola worked with designer Jackson Wiederhoeft to create the custom piece (Broadway.com).

Tribute to Bernadette Peters

• Bernadette Peters is a Broadway legend, and Escola has cited her as an inspiration.
• The gown was widely covered by fashion and entertainment media as a standout red-carpet moment.

Statement on gender expression

• Escola’s fashion choices align with their non-binary identity—they’ve worn dresses, suits, and gender-fluid looks at events.
• The Tony Awards ensemble was praised for breaking traditional red-carpet norms for male-presenting actors.

What to watch: Expect Escola to continue using fashion as a form of expression, particularly in high-profile appearances tied to upcoming projects.

What is Cole Escola known for?

Cole Escola is a comedian, actor, and playwright best known for creating and starring in the Broadway play Oh, Mary!, which earned them the 2024 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (Wikipedia). They are also recognized for TV roles on Hacks, At Home with Amy Sedaris, and Difficult People, as well as cabaret performances and online comedy sketches.

Oh, Mary! and Tony Award win

• Oh, Mary! is a farce about Mary Todd Lincoln, written by and starring Escola. It premiered Off-Broadway before transferring to Broadway in 2024.
• The play was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama (The Pulitzer Prizes).
• Escola won the Tony for Best Actor in a Play, becoming the first openly non-binary performer to win in that category.
• The play later won a Laurence Olivier Award after moving to the West End.

Television roles: Hacks, At Home with Amy Sedaris

• Escola appeared in HBO’s Hacks (2021) as a guest character (BroadwayWorld).
• They were a consulting producer and performer on At Home with Amy Sedaris, which won a Writers Guild of America Award (Cole Escola official site).
• Other TV credits include Search Party, Big Mouth, and Difficult People.

Cabaret and online comedy

• Before Broadway, Escola built a following in New York’s cabaret scene, performing at venues like Joe’s Pub.
• They co-created the web series Jeffrey & Cole Casserole (Cole Escola official site).
• Their comedic style blends camp, absurdity, and sharp cultural commentary.

The catch: Escola defies easy categorization—they are equally at home on a Broadway stage, a TV set, or a basement cabaret, often within the same year.

“I left home at 18 and followed my high school sweetheart to New York City.”

— Cole Escola, official website

“Cole Escola will play Bon Clay in Netflix’s live-action adaptation of One Piece.”

— Wikipedia, citing Variety

For the entertainment industry, the implication is clear: Cole Escola is no longer a cult figure—they are a mainstream force whose unapologetic queerness and comedic fearlessness have cracked open both Broadway and Netflix. The choice for fans and casting directors alike is to watch closely, because this actor’s next move is unlikely to be predictable.

Cole Escola’s breakout Tony win was followed by a role in the One Piece live-action series.

Frequently asked questions

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