One Piece Season three is setting the internet ablaze, not just for continuing the live-action hit, but for securing a monumental piece of casting. The announcement that the immensely talented Tony Award winner Cole Escola is stepping into the role of the flamboyant assassin Bon Clay has sent a shockwave of excitement through the global fanbase, promising an adaptation that is as dazzling as it is dangerous. But who is this uniquely brilliant performer now poised for global television stardom?

What is the background and celebrated career that led to Cole Escola's phenomenal rise?

Cole Escola was born on November 25, 1986, in Clatskanie, Oregon, USA. They are openly non-binary and exclusively use they/them pronouns. Escola nurtured an early passion for performance, which ultimately drew them to the vibrant cabaret and comedy scenes of New York City. This foundation in live, character-driven performance became the bedrock of their singular comedic style, blending high-concept theatricality with a bizarre, dry wit.

Cole Escola built a reputation through cult-hit collaborations before transitioning seamlessly into mainstream television success.

Escola’s professional ascent began in the downtown New York comedy scene as the co-creator, writer, and star of the lo-fi cult hit television show, Jeffrey and Cole Casserole. This success led to significant television roles that leveraged their unique comedic persona. They notably appeared as Matthew on Hulu’s Difficult People and were both a writer and actor on At Home with Amy Sedaris, for which they won a 2020 Writers Guild Award for Comedy/Variety Sketch Series.

Escola also received critical acclaim for recurring roles in series like The Other Two, Hacks, and as the demented kidnapper Chip in Search Party. Their crowning achievement came recently with a Tony Award for Lead Actor in a Play, making them the first openly non-binary person to win the award, validating a career built on originality.

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This immense success in both television and theatre has secured Cole Escola a considerable financial standing in the industry.

Cole Escola has an estimated net worth of $4 million in 2025, according to Reality Tea. This impressive valuation is primarily derived from their successful and extensive career as a comedian, actor, and writer.  Their earnings stem from major roles on popular television series, writing contributions to shows, and the financial success of their highly acclaimed Broadway production, Oh, Mary!, which they both wrote and starred in. This net worth reflects their sustained excellence and productivity across multiple and creative fields.  

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Cole Escola is now set to bring their one-of-a-kind energy to a globally recognized live-action adaptation.

Cole Escola has been officially cast as the character Bon Clay in the third season of the live-action Netflix series, One Piece. Bon Clay, whose full name is Bentham, is a fan-favorite character in the One Piece universe, known for their flamboyant personality, extraordinary loyalty, and dramatic flair. Bon Clay possesses the Clone-Clone Fruit ability, which allows them to perfectly mimic any person they touch.

This ability to embody multiple identities through highly theatrical performance makes the role a perfect fit for Escola, whose own work thrives on character transformations and over-the-top camp sensibility. The role is a significant opportunity for global exposure, introducing Cole Escola's unparalleled, authentic, and versatile acting style to millions of viewers worldwide.

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What fact about Cole Escola amazed you? Do you think the casting is justified? Let us know in the comments below.