Leon Thomas III was born on August 1, 1993, in the Park Slope neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. He was raised in a musical family: his mother was a vocalist, his stepfather a guitarist who once played with B.B. King, and his maternal grandfather was an opera singer. These family influences surrounded him with music from birth.
Thomas grew up immersed in Brooklyn’s diverse culture. He later recalled that listening to rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones in his childhood home was “as normal [to me] as Marvin Gaye,” reflecting how both rock and soul music were part of his upbringing. He has also said that New York City’s mix of cultures left a strong impression, describing it as “a melting pot” where one can meet people “from every corner of the world.” These comments suggest his early environment exposed him to a wide range of music and communities.
Thomas attended local public schools in Brooklyn through tenth grade. In his last two years of high school, he completed his education through homeschooling. He has described his childhood as “great,” crediting his mother for providing a supportive, “grounded” environment with a steady circle of friends.
| Fact | Details |
| Net Worth (2026) | Not publicly disclosed; income from music, acting, production |
| Full Name | Leon George Thomas III |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1993 |
| Date of Birth | August 1, 1993 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York, USA |
| Early Career | Broadway actor (The Lion King) |
| Breakthrough | Victorious (Andre Harris) |
| Career Shift | Moved into R&B and music production |
| Collaborations | Ariana Grande, SZA, Drake |
| Awards | Grammy-winning artist and songwriter |
| Top Album | MUTT (2024), Billboard success |
Leon Thomas III performing during his music career, reflecting his journey from a Broadway child actor to a Grammy-winning R&B artist, songwriter, and producer known for collaborations with top industry names. Leon Thomas III began performing professionally as a child. By around 2003 (age 10) he made his Broadway debut as Young Simba in The Lion King, and he later appeared in the Broadway productions of Caroline, or Change and The Color Purple.
In 2007 he made his film debut in August Rush (playing the young character Arthur, singing “La Bamba” on screen). In television he worked on children’s programs, providing the singing voice of Tyrone on Nick Jr.’s The Backyardigans and appearing as a young performer on series like Jack’s Big Music Show and Just Jordan. These early roles showcased his singing and acting talents and laid the foundation for his entertainment career.
After his stage and film work, Thomas moved into television with Nickelodeon. Following August Rush, he signed a development deal with Nickelodeon and began doing voice and guest roles on the network.
He sang on The Backyardigans and made appearances on series such as iCarly, gradually building his profile. These opportunities paved the way for his first major break: in 2010 he auditioned for and won the role of Andre Harris in the new Nickelodeon sitcom Victorious.
Thomas achieved mainstream recognition through Victorious. From 2010 to 2013 he starred as Andre Harris, the talented keyboardist of the show’s teen rock band. The role brought him fame among younger audiences. He also performed on several songs for the series’ soundtrack albums (for example, he is featured on “Song 2 You” and “Tell Me That You Love Me” in 2011, and on “Countdown” and “Don’t You (Forget About Me)” in 2012).
During this period he appeared in Nickelodeon crossover specials (such as iParty with Victorious). The success of Victorious turned Thomas into a known television personality and singer. When the series ended in early 2013, he had established a fan base and was ready to shift focus to music.
After Victorious, Thomas concentrated on his music career. He formed the production duo The Rascals with longtime collaborator Khris Riddick-Tynes, writing and producing R&B songs for others.
In 2012 he began releasing solo music, putting out the R&B mixtape Metro Hearts, followed by V1bes in 2014. He also released singles (such as the Wiz Khalifa featured “Hello How Are You” in 2013).
Around this time The Rascals co-wrote four songs on Ariana Grande’s debut album Yours Truly (2013) and produced her holiday EP. He contributed to other R&B projects as well notably co-writing a track on Toni Braxton and Babyface’s album Love, Marriage & Divorce (2014), which won a Grammy.
In 2016 he served as a co-producer on Post Malone’s debut album Stoney (specifically the track “Yours Truly, Austin Post”). These projects cemented Thomas’s reputation as a versatile songwriter and producer, working behind the scenes on major releases while also nurturing his own artistry.
Over the 2010s and 2020s, Thomas built an impressive résumé writing and producing for top R&B and pop stars. For example: Ariana Grande he co-wrote multiple tracks on her albums, including Yours Truly (2013) and later Positions (2020), reflecting their continued collaboration after Victorious.
SZA he co-wrote and co-produced the single “Snooze” (2022), which became a No.1 R&B hit and earned Thomas a Grammy Award for Best R&B Song. He also worked on other songs for SZA’s projects.
Drake through The Rascals he co-produced songs on Drake’s albums, most notably “Love All” (featuring Jay Z) on Certified Lover Boy (2021) and other tracks like “Pipe Down”.
Post Malone he co-produced “Yours Truly, Austin Post” on Post Malone’s Stoney (2016), closing the album with his contribution. Rick Ross he co-wrote and produced the single “Gold Roses” (2019) featuring Drake. This song earned a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Song.
Kanye West and Ty Dolla $ign in late 2024 he co-produced “BURN” on the collaborative Vultures project by Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign (Ty is his label boss). Chris Brown he co-produced tracks such as “Emerald/Burgundy” on Brown’s Indigo album (2019).
Others he has credits on songs by Big Sean (“Break the Cycle”), Kehlani (“You Know Wassup”), Ella Mai (“Not Another Love Song”), Snoh Aalegra and more. Through these collaborations, Thomas became known as a go to R&B songwriter and producer. Many of the records he helped create have been major hits, contributing to his growing industry reputation.
In addition to his behind the scenes work, Thomas steadily developed his solo career. He released several self produced projects independently in the 2010s: the mixtapes Metro Hearts (2012), V1bes (2014) and Before the Beginning (2016) showcased his smooth R&B and soul style.
In 2018 he issued his debut EP, Genesis (through Rostrum Records), featuring guests like Buddy and Tayla Parx. Genesis earned tens of millions of streams and strong reviews.
After signing with Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY Motown label in 2022, Thomas released his first official studio album. Electric Dusk arrived in August 2023 as a concept album inspired by Los Angeles drive in theaters; it blended modern R&B with hints of rock and jazz.
The album featured singles like “Love Jones” (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) and “X Rated” (featuring Benny the Butcher), and introduced his darker, cinematic sound. Electric Dusk laid the groundwork for Thomas’s next project.
His sophomore album MUTT (2024) further expanded his musical palette, mixing funk, psychedelic rock and neo soul. The title track, “MUTT,” was released as a single and became his breakthrough hit: it climbed into the Top 10 of the US Billboard Hot 100 (peaking at number six).
The album MUTT itself also charted on the Billboard 200, his first appearance there. Critics praised MUTT’s adventurous production and personal songwriting. Reflecting on the album, Thomas said he was “just putting [his] neck out there and daring to be different.”
Continuing his momentum, Thomas released the PHOLKS EP in October 2025. This seven track project doubled down on the funky, retro inspired R&B style of MUTT. Throughout these releases, Thomas has steadily built his solo profile: his albums have attracted critical acclaim and led to multiple singles and features.
By the mid 2020s Thomas’s career achievements began to multiply. He earned his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Song in 2020 (as a co writer of Rick Ross’s “Gold Roses” featuring Drake, which was nominated).
His songwriting on SZA’s “Snooze” won him a Grammy for Best R&B Song in 2025, marking his first Grammy win. In the very next ceremony (2026), MUTT earned Thomas two more trophies: Best R&B Album (for MUTT) and Best Traditional R&B Performance (for the track “Vibes Don’t Lie”).
That year he received six Grammy nominations in total, including the high profile categories Album of the Year and Best New Artist. Commercially, MUTT solidified his breakthrough. The album’s title track was certified Platinum in the US and, by early 2026, the album had amassed over 1.2 billion streams.
These milestones underline his impact: he became one of the first acts from Ty Dolla $ign’s EZMNY label to achieve a major chart hit. Earlier, his contributions had also been part of award winning projects (for example, he co wrote a track on Toni Braxton and Babyface’s Love, Marriage & Divorce, which won a Grammy).
Leon Thomas III celebrating major career milestones, including Grammy-winning success for his work in R&B music and songwriting, highlighting his rise from actor to acclaimed artist. Leon Thomas III remains active in music. In 2025 to 2026 he has been touring extensively, performing across the US, Europe and Australia to support his albums. He headlined shows at major events (including the Essence Festival of Culture in 2025) and has appeared at international venues as a solo artist.
On the recording front, he released new material following MUTT: the single “Just How You Are” came out in mid 2025, and the PHOLKS EP followed in October 2025. Thomas is also collaborating with other artists (for example he is credited on upcoming joint tracks with artists like Disclosure).
As of 2026, Thomas remains signed to EZMNY Motown and continues to split his time between performing and songwriting production. He frequently contributes to new projects for other artists while planning his own releases. Press coverage notes that he is among the new generation of R&B musicians pushing the genre forward.
In interviews Thomas emphasizes that his journey has been “a long journey” from Broadway child actor to Grammy winning recording artist. With a unique blend of influences and growing acclaim, he continues to build on his diverse career in music.
As of 2026, Leon Thomas III's net worth has not been publicly disclosed, and no official figure has been verified by major financial authorities. His income comes from multiple entertainment sources, including acting (notably his role as Andre Harris on Nickelodeon’s Victorious), songwriting and production work for other artists (such as Ariana Grande and SZA), as well as his own music releases through album sales and streaming.
Leon Thomas III is an American singer, songwriter, producer, and actor. He is best known for his role as Andre Harris on Nickelodeon’s Victoriousand for his work in R&B music.
He is recognized for both his solo music and his work as a songwriter and producer. He has contributed to projects by major artists such as SZA, Ariana Grande, and Drake.
Yes, Leon Thomas III has won Grammy Awards for his songwriting and music work. Notably, he earned recognition for his contribution to SZA’s song “Snooze” and his own album MUTT.
His breakthrough role was Andre Harris on Victorious, which aired from 2010 to 2013. The show helped him gain widespread recognition among younger audiences.
Leon Thomas III primarily creates R&B music, often blending elements of soul, funk, and rock. His style is known for its experimental and genre-crossing sound.