Lin-Manuel Miranda is an American playwright, composer, and actor of Puerto Rican descent, acclaimed for his groundbreaking contributions to musical theater. Born in New York City in 1980, Miranda gained prominence with his musical "In the Heights," which celebrated Latino culture and earned critical acclaim. He achieved international fame with "Hamilton," a hip-hop-infused retelling of American founding father Alexander Hamilton's life, which garnered numerous awards and reshaped modern musical theater. Miranda's work is celebrated for its cultural inclusivity and innovative storytelling.