Cheyenne Jackson first appeared on Broadway only three weeks after moving to New York City in 2002. Jackson, who grew up on the Washington-Idaho border in a rural town, later went on to star in such Broadway hits Aida, Thoroughly Modern Millie, All Shook Up and is currently starring in the roller-skating remake Xanadu. The actor has also been seen in the Academy Award nominated film United 93. He has finished working on the upcoming horror flick Hysteria and has also filmed a new SONY/ Lifetime TV pilot called Family Practice, with co-stars Beau Bridges and Anne Archer.
While Jackson may have been dubbed “Broadway’s Sexiest Man,” there is only one woman in his life, his adopted pup Zora. Zora was adopted from Harlem’s Center for Animal Care and Control three and a half years ago. “She was found tied to a fence in Harlem. They didn’t know how old she was, or what kind of dog she was, and she didn’t have a name” Jackson told Animal Fair. It was Zora’s cool attitude that won Jackson over. “When I went in there, all the little dogs were doing all the little ‘take me home dance,’ and she was sitting in the corner of her cage doing the ‘hey’ and that was it.” Jackson named Zora after Zora Neale Hurston, a famous writer and folklorist who was a big part of the Harlem Renaissance, where Zora the dog was found. Jackson even found a song called Zora and when he plays it, Zora will give Jackson an inquisitive look. When we asked Jackson to sing the song for us, let’s just say we were blown away by his gorgeous voice, and Zora kept her cool as usual. But does the big dog get bed privileges? “When I first got her, I thought I’m not going to let her sleep in my bed, I’ll let her sleep on the floor… Then she got upgraded to the end of the bed … now she’s under sheets, on the pillow, next to me.”
When Jackson is onstage, Zora is the best audience. “This is the third Broadway show that I’ve been in that she goes and waits for me in the dressing room.” When Jackson isn’t onstage he’s helping charities such as Broadway Barks, who hold an annual event in Shubert Alley. Jackson enjoys working with the animals there because they “absolutely know that you’re saving their life.” As for Zora, he “truly feels that she has enriched [his life] so much.” For more information visit: broadwaybarks.com.
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