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What Happened to Jonathan Larson’s Best Friend? The Truth Behind the Story

The Friendship That Inspired Rent and Tick, Tick... Boom!

So, you’ve watched Tick, Tick… Boom! (probably cried a little, right?) and now you’re wondering—what happened to Jonathan Larson’s best friend, the one who inspired Michael? Yeah, me too. When I first watched the film, I got obsessed. Michael is such a powerful character—supportive but struggling, successful but still lost. But was he real? And if so, what happened to him?

Spoiler: Yes, he was real. And his story is just as heartbreaking as Jonathan’s.

Who Was Michael in Tick, Tick… Boom!?

Michael, played by Robin de Jesús in the film, is based on Jonathan Larson’s real-life best friend, Matt O’Grady. The two met in college at Adelphi University and remained close as they navigated life in New York City.

The Real Matt O’Grady

  • Unlike Jonathan, Matt found financial success early in the corporate world.
  • He was openly gay at a time when that was still a struggle in mainstream America.
  • He was diagnosed as HIV-positive in the late 1980s—mirroring the moment in the film when Michael reveals his diagnosis.

And this is where it gets intense. When I first read about Matt’s real story, I expected tragedy. I mean, let’s be honest—Jonathan’s own story is gut-wrenching enough. But here’s the thing: Matt O’Grady survived.

Matt O’Grady’s Battle with HIV—and His Survival

Well, this is where the movie takes some creative liberties. Tick, Tick… Boom! gives you this feeling that Michael’s time is running out. You expect the worst. But in real life, Matt O’Grady lived through the AIDS crisis thanks to advancements in treatment.

How Did He Survive?

  • He was diagnosed before the worst years of the crisis, giving him an edge in seeking medical care.
  • When antiretroviral drugs became widely available in the mid-90s, they changed everything—turning HIV from a death sentence into a manageable condition.
  • Unlike so many in the LGBTQ+ community at the time, he had access to healthcare and support.

Honestly, it’s wild to think about. So many stories from that era end in loss, but Matt’s didn’t. And yet, Jonathan—the one who wasn’t sick—was the one who didn’t make it. Life is unfair like that.

Jonathan Larson’s Death—and How It Affected Matt

Okay, this part still gets me. Jonathan Larson, the guy who spent his life writing about the fragility of time, died suddenly the night before Rent’s first Off-Broadway preview. Not from AIDS. Not from something predictable. But from an undiagnosed aortic aneurysm.

The Unthinkable Twist

  • Matt O’Grady, the one who had been expected to die, lived.
  • Jonathan, the one who should have had time, didn’t.
  • Matt had to watch his best friend’s success explode… without him there to see it.

I can’t even imagine what that must have felt like. In interviews, Matt has talked about how bittersweet it was—Rent changed theater history, but Jonathan wasn’t there to enjoy it. Meanwhile, Matt was living a life Jonathan never got the chance to. Survivor’s guilt? Yeah, probably.

Where Is Matt O’Grady Now?

Actually, he’s still around. And he’s done something incredible with his life.

  • He became a yoga and wellness advocate—talk about a full-circle moment.
  • He’s spoken about his experience as an HIV survivor, showing that life doesn’t always end the way you expect.
  • He’s kept Jonathan’s memory alive, ensuring the world never forgets his friend’s impact.

The Lesson in All of This

Life is unpredictable. Rent was all about living in the moment because “there’s no day but today.” Matt O’Grady’s life is proof of that. He thought his time was running out, but he’s still here. Jonathan thought he had all the time in the world, and he didn’t.

Kind of makes you want to stop waiting for the “right time” to do things, doesn’t it?

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Is 172 cm good for a man?

Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years)
14 Years112.0 lb. (50.8 kg)64.5" (163.8 cm)
15 Years123.5 lb. (56.02 kg)67.0" (170.1 cm)
16 Years134.0 lb. (60.78 kg)68.3" (173.4 cm)
17 Years142.0 lb. (64.41 kg)69.0" (175.2 cm)

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.