Tony Vincent (born 1973) is an American actor, songwriter, and singer based in New York City and Nashville. Early career Vincent was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico. His professional career began while attending Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Using the school's recording studio, he recorded what became his first single, "Love Falling Down". It was originally released only to his hometown radio station, KLYT in Albuquerque. The song proved popular. When it hit No. 1 on that station's charts, he and a college friend hastily organized a campaign to release the single nationally. The single was released nationwide in May 1993 and appeared on the national CCM Billboard Hot 100 in July 1993, becoming the first independently released single ever to do so. After signing a recording contract with Star Song Records / EMI, Vincent spent six more years recording in Nashville. During that time, Vincent had six #1 songs on Billboards radio charts and his song, "One Deed", from the album of the same name, was featured in a United Way of America campaign. Musical theatre In 1998, Vincent moved to New York, and by March 1998 had landed a role in the American touring production of Rent. In January 1999, Vincent returned to New York and made his Broadway debut in the cast of Rent at the Nederlander Theatre, understudying the role of Roger, and later took over the role of Mark. In 2000, Vincent was cast in the role of Simon Zealotes in the film remake of Jesus Christ Superstar in London; he was one of two Americans to be cast in the film (along with Frederick B. Owens). This new production brought about a revival of the show on Broadway, and Vincent and several of his castmates from the film were asked to star in it. Vincent was again cast as Simon, understudying the lead roles of Jesus and Judas, but was moved up to the lead role of Judas in a change just three and a half weeks before opening night (due to Jason Pebworth, the initially cast Judas, leaving the show) at composer Andrew Lloyd Webber's request. Vincent's performance as Judas won him a nomination for an Outer Critics award for "Best Featured Actor". Impressed with his Broadway performances, Webber selected Vincent to travel through China in 2001, introducing the composer's music in a cultural exchange production later released on DVD as Andrew Lloyd