Chris Colfer facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival
Born	Christopher Paul Colfer (1990-05-27) May 27, 1990 (age 35) Clovis, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor singer writer
Years active	2008–present
Partner(s)	Will Sherrod (2013–present)

Christopher Paul Colfer (born May 27, 1990) is an American actor, singer, and author. He became famous for playing Kurt Hummel on the TV show Glee from 2009 to 2015. Chris Colfer's acting as Kurt was highly praised. He won several awards, including a Golden Globe Award in 2011. He also won three People's Choice Awards for Favorite Comedic TV Actor. In April 2011, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Chris Colfer also wrote, starred in, and produced his first movie, Struck by Lightning. This movie first showed at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival. He is also the author of The New York Times bestselling The Land of Stories book series for kids. The first book was The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell. As of July 2025, he has published twenty books.

Early Life and Education

Chris Colfer was born in Clovis, California. His parents are Karyn and Timothy Colfer. He has Irish family roots. When he was a child, he had surgery that kept him in the hospital for three months. He says this experience made him interested in made-up worlds.

When Chris was seven, his younger sister was diagnosed with severe epilepsy. He felt he needed attention from his parents, but they were focused on his sister's health. He knew he wanted to be an actor. To cope, he used his imagination and started writing fairy tales.

Chris showed a love for writing from a young age. He wanted to be a storyteller. He used writing and acting to entertain people and escape reality. His grandmother was his first editor. She encouraged him when he first tried to write a fairy tale novel in elementary school. This book later became The Land of Stories. In 2012, Chris dedicated his first published novel to her.

Chris was bullied in middle school. This was so bad that he was homeschooled for part of 7th and 8th grade. When he went to Clovis East High School, he joined the speech and debate team. He won many awards, including placing ninth in a state competition. He was also active in the drama club and was president of the Writer's Club. As a high school senior, he wrote, starred in, and directed a funny version of Sweeney Todd called Shirley Todd. In this play, all the roles were played by actors of the opposite gender. One of his real-life school experiences became a story for his character on Glee. His high school teachers would not let him sing "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked. This was because the song is usually sung by a woman.

Career Beginnings

Chris Colfer's first acting role was in a local play called West Side Story. He then appeared in The Sound of Music as Kurt von Trapp. This role later inspired the name of his Glee character.

At age 18, Chris starred as Russel Fish in Russel Fish: The Sausage and Eggs Incident. This was a short film about a shy teenager. He had to pass a fitness test or fail gym class. If he failed, he would lose his chance to go to Harvard University.

Starring in Glee

Chris Colfer's first TV role was in 2009. He was cast as Kurt Hummel on Fox's Glee. Kurt is a stylish character who sings high notes. He is often bullied at school for being different and for being in the Glee Club. Chris first tried out for the part of Artie Abrams, a character who uses a wheelchair. That role went to Kevin McHale.

Chris Colfer at the Time 100 Gala in April 2011

The show's creator, Ryan Murphy, was very impressed with Chris. He decided to create the role of Kurt just for him. Ryan Murphy said that Chris was the reason for a show called The Glee Project. This show looked for talented people who might not fit a specific role, but were still amazing.

Jenna Ushkowitz, Chris Colfer and Heather Morris performing "Single Ladies" on the tour Glee Live! In Concert! in 2011

In 2010, Chris said that he sometimes told Ryan Murphy about things that happened to him. Then, Ryan would write those things into the show. He also said that the writers would ask him what songs he would want to sing in certain situations.

Chris won a Golden Globe award in 2011 for his role as Kurt Hummel. In his acceptance speech, he thanked Ryan Murphy. He also dedicated his award to kids who have been bullied and told they can't achieve their dreams because of who they are. He was nominated for an Emmy Award twice for his acting as Kurt.

In 2013 and 2014, Chris won People's Choice Awards for Favorite Comedic TV Actor. People praised his speeches for being funny. He also showed how much he appreciated his fans.

The Land of Stories Books

On June 8, 2011, Chris Colfer signed a book deal. He agreed to write two novels for children. The first book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, came out on July 17, 2012. The books are about twin siblings, Conner and Alex Bailey. They go on adventures in "The Land of Stories" through their grandma's storybook. For two weeks after it was released, the book was number one on The New York Times Best Seller list for Children's Chapter Books.

The second book, The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns (2013), was number two on The New York Times Best Seller list. Because the first two books were so popular, Chris signed a deal for three more books.

The third book, The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning, was released on July 8, 2014. It reached No. 4 on The New York Times Best Seller list.

Chris's fourth novel, The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms, came out on July 7, 2015. After this book, The Land of Stories series became No. 1 on The New York Times Best Seller list for the first time.

A picture book, The Curvy Tree, was released in October 2015. Chris wrote it, and Brandon Dorman illustrated it. It is based on a short fairy tale that Chris first told in The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.

The fifth book, The Land of Stories: An Author's Odyssey, was released on July 12, 2016. The sixth and final book, The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide, came out on July 11, 2017.

In June 2017, it was announced that Chris Colfer would direct a movie based on The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell. He would also write the script and help produce the movie. In July 2025, it was confirmed that Warner Bros Pictures bought the rights to the series.

Other Creative Works

Chris Colfer wrote, starred in, and produced the comedy film Struck by Lightning. The movie is about his character, who is struck by lightning and dies. It shows how he blackmails his classmates to help him publish a literary magazine. The movie was filmed in the summer of 2011 and first shown in 2012.

In March 2012, Chris was part of a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8. This play was a reenactment of a court trial about marriage equality. Chris played Ryan Kendall. The performance was shown online to raise money for a good cause.

Chris also made a deal with the Disney Channel to adapt a book called The Little Leftover Witch for a TV show. He also wrote another movie script. However, these projects have been delayed.

On January 28, 2014, it was announced that Chris Colfer would voice the main character in a new animated family film called Robodog. The film is about an unlikely pair who are very different. The director said Chris was "perfect" for the role because he has a "youthful voice."

In March 2014, Chris was asked by the producers of Glee to write an episode. He said he didn't think he would ever write an episode because it wasn't his world. But then they asked him to. The episode, called "Old Dog, New Tricks", aired in May 2014.

In 2014, Chris appeared on an episode of Hot in Cleveland as Tony, Victoria's son. In March 2015, it was confirmed that Chris would return for another episode in the show's final season.

In 2016, he played Christopher in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. He was offered the role after he invited the writer, Jennifer Saunders, to a Glee concert tour. He also appeared as a guest judge on Chopped Junior.

In 2017, Chris announced he would create a new TV show called Indigo. It is a science fiction drama about children who have special abilities. Chris plans to write and direct the first episode.

Chris will star as Boyd in a film called The Restoration at Grayson Manor. This movie is expected to be released in fall 2025.

Other Books

In 2012, Chris Colfer released a book that went along with his movie Struck by Lightning. It was called Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal.

In early 2017, Chris released his second book for young adult readers called Stranger Than Fanfiction. This book is about a famous TV star who goes on a road trip with four of his biggest fans.

On October 1, 2019, Chris came out with a new book, A Tale of Magic.... It is a story that happens before The Land of Stories series. The next book, A Tale of Witchcraft..., was published in September 2020. The final part, A Tale of Sorcery..., was published in September 2021.

Chris's new projects include a series of children's books about space and UFOs. The first book, "Roswell Johnson Saves the World," was published on June 4, 2024.

Personal Life

Chris Colfer appeared on a British TV show in June 2010. He showed his skill with a pair of sai, which are special weapons. He said he bought them online and practices with them. He hoped his sai could be used in an episode of Glee. They appeared in the season 3 episode "I Am Unicorn".

Helping Others

Chris Colfer actively supports campaigns like It Gets Better and The Trevor Project. These organizations help young people who are bullied. He made an It Gets Better video and dedicated his 2011 Golden Globe Award to bullied kids.

In 2013, Chris filmed a public service announcement (PSA) with Elmo about stopping bullying. He also took part in a run to raise money for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. In 2014, he was in a PSA for Let Girls Learn, which helps girls get an education. On Hollywood Game Night, Chris won $6,000 and gave it to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America.

Chris was a co-chair for the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party in 2013 and 2014. He is also part of Uprising of Love, an organization that supports the safety and dignity of people in Russia.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Chris Colfer para niños