Utah Native Finds Success on Broadway and HBO's Gilded Age

Claybourne Elder, a Springville-born actor, has become a rising star on both stage and screen, balancing a recurring role on HBO’s historical drama The Gilded Age with a major part in the Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. But the path to his current success has been far from linear — shaped by determination, family support, and deep ties to Utah’s vibrant arts scene.

Elder, now based in New York, has long dreamed of acting in period dramas. That dream materialized when he was cast in The Gilded Age, playing a character based on a descendant of President John Adams navigating love and secrecy in 1880s New York. The role hit close to home for Elder, who identifies as gay and has spoken about the emotional resonance of portraying someone living with hidden parts of his identity.

Although the pandemic stalled the show’s production and shut down Elder’s Broadway work temporarily, he returned to both projects when filming resumed under strict protocols. Balancing performances in a major television series and a Tony-winning Broadway production is a rare feat — one Elder embraces with humility and humor.

His connection to Utah runs deep. Raised in a large Latter-day Saint family in Utah County, Elder found his passion for theater early on. He credits local community theaters and supportive mentors for giving him a sense of belonging in a region not always welcoming to LGBTQ youth. His journey through multiple Utah universities — including Southern Utah University, BYU, and ultimately the University of Utah, where he earned a degree in dramaturgy — shaped both his intellectual approach to acting and his career trajectory.

Despite facing cultural challenges growing up, Elder says he was fortunate to have a loving family, including a supportive father who gave him the family name “Claybourne,” passed down through generations. Today, he and his husband are raising their son with a blend of Broadway flair and Utah family traditions — including weekly family nights reminiscent of his childhood.

Elder continues to serve as an example to young performers, especially those in conservative communities, proving that success in the arts is possible without compromising identity. Though he now lives in New York out of professional necessity, he frequently returns to Utah with his family and hopes to inspire others from his home state to pursue their dreams — no matter how far they have to travel.

As HBO’s The Gilded Age prepares for a third season, Elder’s fans eagerly await news of his return, hopeful that his on-screen journey will continue just as his real-life career hits new heights.