Old Deuteronomy

His name derives from the biblical Book of Deuteronomy, which shares the central element of law with the character (who is a magistrate).

Cats expands on the theme of wisdom by depicting Old Deuteronomy as the leader of the show's Jellicle tribe, providing comfort and guidance to the other characters.

He is alleged to have been alive long before Queen Victoria was crowned and has been mated numerous times (supposedly, anywhere between nine and ninety-nine).

[3][4][5] Old Deuteronomy has a full beard and, unlike the unitard that the other characters don, his costume consists of a loose-fitting shaggy coat.

[10] André De Shields played the role in the off-Broadway revival Cats: "The Jellicle Ball" at Perelman Performing Arts Center in 2024.

Old Deuteronomy as he is typically depicted; from a promotional event in Germany in 2011.
Zbigniew Macias as Old Deuteronomy ( left ) and Izabela Zając as Grizabella in the non-replica Polish production of Cats , 2007.