Entertainment

Another '30 Rock' Alum Shows Up On 'Kimmy Schmidt'

by Samantha Atzeni
Netflix

SPOILERS for Kimmy Schmidt Season 3 will follow. Titus was right to “Lemonade” in the Season 3 trailer for Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. Sadly, Mikey and Titus break up in the newest Season of the Netflix show, but a few episodes later, our pal finds love again: Titus has a new boyfriend, Ruben, played by Michael Benjamin Washington. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt's Season 3 features many unexpected guest stars, and while fans may not recognize Washington's name, he's a familiar face to film, television, and the stage.

Washington had a standout performance on 30 Rock when he played Donald, a scam artist masquerading as Tracy Jordan's illegitimate son. As Tracy's son who is two years older than him, Donald was first featured in 30 Rock Season 3 episode "Mamma Mia!" where he used Tracy's money for himself, but also to create the Tracy Jordan Institute of Black Karate. Washington reappeared at TGS again in Season 5 in "Chain Reaction of Mental Anguish." In this episode,Tracy and Donald create a Times Square restaurant called "Staples" that features fights with unlicensed Japanese monsters.

Now that Washington's back in another Tina Fey production, he plays Ruben, the man who could repair Titus's broken heart. In episode 2, "Kimmy's Roommate Lemonades!" viewers get to watch Titus and Mikey's relationship dissolve through homages to Beyonce's Lemonade as Titus finds parallels between his love life and Queen Bey's. Later in the season, Titus meets Ruben as he sings his heart out, to Titus's dismay, as a member of the church choir.

Netflix

Washington had smaller roles in TV as Andrew on the short-lived NBC sitcom 100 Questions (it lasted for six episodes) and the ABC Family series 10 Things I Hate About You. He also had some experience with legal dramas, appearing in an episode of Law and Order and as Darius Myles in the 2004 Fox series The Jury.

Fans may also recognize Washington as Tracy Pendergrass in Season 1 of Glee. Playing a high school sports reporter, Washington was pitted against Jane Lynch's Sue Sylvester when he tried to expose the cheerleading squad for discriminating against students.

In addition, Washington gained experience when he played Richard in the Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal 2010 film Love & Other Drugs.

As if Washington's resume couldn't get any longer, he is also a playwright. Washington wrote and acted in the production "Blueprints to Freedom: An Ode to Bayard Rustin." The play follows the role of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin who played a significant part in the 1963 March on Washington. In an interview with Voice & Viewpoint, Washington said, "I found that Bayard Rustin was a man who wanted to see America change and instead of just talking about it, he did it. He somehow managed to craft and organize and execute what is still termed as America’s finest hour. And I find that to be fascinating, what we were able to do when we all stood together.”

According to Washington's Playbill page, he also has Broadway experience by originating the roles of Jacob in 2004 production of La Cage Aux Folles and Eddie in the 2001 production of Mamma Mia!

Netflix

As two 30 Rock alums and Broadway powerhouse performers, Michael Benjamin Washington and Tituss Burgess may be evenly matched as Titus and Ruben.

Fans may miss Mikey, but like Titus, they may be looking forward to a potential new power couple on this season of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.