Benjamin “Benj” Pasek is an acclaimed Jewish-American lyricist and composer, best known as one-half of the award-winning songwriting duo Pasek and Paul alongside Justin Paul. Their collaborations have produced iconic works in musical theater and film, including Dear Evan Hansen, La La Land, and The Greatest Showman.

Pasek was born on June 9, 1985, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to a Jewish family. His upbringing was infused with Jewish traditions and values, which played a significant role in shaping his identity. His mother, Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, a prominent Jewish academic and developmental psychologist, contributed to a household that fostered intellectual curiosity and cultural pride.

Pasek’s Jewish upbringing had a profound influence on his artistry. He references his cultural background and upbringing as instrumental in shaping his storytelling approach. Jewish themes of resilience, community, and the pursuit of justice often resonate in his works, albeit in nuanced ways.

Though Pasek does not frequently speak about his Jewish identity in the public sphere, his connection to his heritage remains an essential aspect of his identity. His experiences growing up in a Jewish household have informed both his worldview and his approach to collaboration and creation in the highly competitive entertainment world.

Pasek’s career took off with A Christmas Story: The Musical and Dogfight, but his breakthrough came with Dear Evan Hansen, a musical that won the duo a Tony Award for Best Original Score in 2017. The musical’s themes of alienation, self-discovery, and yearning for belonging can be traced back to the Jewish cultural emphasis on community and identity.

In 2016, Pasek and Paul gained further prominence with La La Land, for which they won the Academy Award for Best Original Song (“City of Stars”). Their song “This Is Me” from The Greatest Showman also earned an Academy Award nomination, becoming an anthem for individuality and acceptance.

In 2024, Benj Pasek became the eighth Jew to win an EGOT, achieving the prestigious honor alongside his songwriting partner Justin Paul after winning an Emmy for their song “Which of the Pickwick Triplets Did It?” from Only Murders in the Building.

Pasek’s work continues to inspire audiences worldwide, and his Jewish roots remain a foundational part of his narrative—shaping both his journey and his artistic contributions to modern musical theater and cinema.

Sources: “About,” pasekandpaul.com.
“Benj Pasek,” IMDB.
Tom McGrath, “Pasek and Pasek,” Philadephia, (November 18, 2017).
Rea Bochner, “Oscar-winner Benj Pasek gives showstopping performance at Beth El,” Jewish Community Voice, (May 8, 2019).
Shira Li Bartov, “Jewish songwriter Benj Pasek joins elite EGOT ranks after ‘Only Murders’ Emmy,” Jerusalem Post, (September 9, 2024).

Photo: Pasek and Paul - Benj Pasek (cropped) - via Wikimedia Commons.