Darren Criss facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Darren Criss
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![]() Criss in 2023
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Born |
Darren Everett Criss
February 5, 1987 San Francisco, California, U.S.
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Education | University of Michigan (BFA) |
Occupation |
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Years active | 1997–present |
Spouse(s) |
Mia Swier
(m. 2019) |
Children | 2 |
Musical career | |
Genres | |
Instruments |
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Years active | 2005–present |
Labels | |
Associated acts | Glee, StarKid Productions, Charlene Kaye, Computer Games |
Darren Everett Criss (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer, and songwriter. He became famous for his role on the TV show Glee (2010–2015). He won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his main role in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018). Darren has also performed on Broadway, acted in movies, and released several music albums.
Darren is a co-founder of StarKid Productions, a musical theater group in Los Angeles. He first gained attention playing Harry Potter in their musical A Very Potter Musical. He also wrote most of the music and lyrics for it. Darren has starred on Broadway in shows like How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. In 2015, he helped start Elsie Fest. This is New York City's first outdoor music festival for songs from stage and screen.
In 2017, Darren started an indie pop band called Computer Games with his brother, Chuck Criss. Besides music, Darren also starred in the TV series American Crime Story.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Darren Criss was born in San Francisco, California. He is the youngest child of Cerina and Charles William Criss. His mother is from the Philippines and has Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish roots. His father was from Pittsburgh and had English, German, and Irish heritage. Darren grew up mostly in San Francisco. From 1988 to 1992, his family lived in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Darren went to Roman Catholic schools. He finished elementary school at Stuart Hall for Boys. He then graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 2005. In 2009, Darren earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan. He studied Theater Performance and also music and Italian.
Musical and Theater Training
Darren's love for music began when he was very young. At age five, he started violin lessons. He studied classical music for 15 years. Darren taught himself to play other instruments too. These include guitar, piano, mandolin, harmonica, and drums. In high school, he was very involved in music. He was the lead violinist in the school orchestra. He also had his own band. His classmates voted him "most likely to win a Grammy". When he was fifteen, Darren started writing music. His first song became the title track of his first EP, Human, released in 2009.
Darren was also interested in acting. At age ten, he joined the American Conservatory Theater's Young Conservatory program. He studied theater there for many years. At St. Ignatius, he was part of the performing arts program. He acted in plays like The Music Man and Fiddler on the Roof. At the University of Michigan, he acted and directed for the student theater group, Basement Arts. In 2008, he studied Italian theater in Arezzo, Italy.
Career Highlights
Starting Out with StarKid Productions (1997–2009)
Darren Criss first acted professionally at age ten. He played Cesario in Fanny (1997). He also appeared in other musicals like Do I Hear a Waltz? (1998) and Babes in Arms (1999). As a teenager, Darren performed in many plays at the American Conservatory Theater. These included A Christmas Carol and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
At the University of Michigan, he acted in plays like Pride and Prejudice. Darren also started his solo music career there. He played in small places, performing his own songs. He also sang classic American songs and Disney tunes. In 2009, Darren began his TV career. He played Josh Burton in five episodes of Eastwick. The next year, he was in an episode of Cold Case.
After college in 2009, Darren and his friends started StarKid Productions. This is a musical theater company. His most famous role with StarKid was Harry Potter. He played Harry in A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, and A Very Potter Senior Year. These musicals are based on the Harry Potter books. Darren also wrote many songs for StarKid. His songs were in A Very Potter Musical and Me and My Dick. Me and My Dick was the first college musical to appear on the Billboard charts. Darren also wrote all the songs for A Very Potter Sequel and Starship. Starship reached number one on the Billboard Top Cast Albums chart.
Becoming Famous with Glee (2010–2015)
His Role in Glee
Darren played Blaine Anderson on the TV show Glee. He first appeared in the second season in November 2010. Blaine was the lead singer of The Dalton Academy Warblers, a glee club. His first song on the show was "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry. This song was very popular. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was the best-selling song in the US that week for Glee.
Critics loved "Teenage Dream". Many said it was the best song from that episode. The New York Daily News called it "flawless". This performance helped Glee use more popular pop songs.
Other songs by Blaine and the Warblers also became very popular. They even released a Warblers album, Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers. It sold 86,000 copies in its first week. The Warblers' songs sold over 1.3 million copies as singles.
Blaine first became a friend and mentor to Kurt, another character. Fans really liked their connection. So, the show's creator, Ryan Murphy, decided to make them a couple. In the third season, Blaine joined New Directions, another glee club. Darren became a main actor on the show. Later, Blaine went to college and then returned to Dalton to direct the Warblers. From May to July 2011, Darren and the Glee cast went on a concert tour. They performed in the US, Canada, England, and Ireland. The tour made over $40 million and sold out all 40 shows.
In the final season, Blaine and Kurt got married. Darren was happy that his character helped people understand relationships better. He said it was "incredibly wonderful" to be part of a story that helped people. Darren also wrote two songs for Glee: "Rise" and "This Time". He was nominated for an Emmy Award for writing "This Time".
Other Projects During Glee
On July 20, 2010, Darren released his own music EP called Human. He described it as "soul-folk" music. It reached number 17 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart. In April 2011, he signed with Sony Music Entertainment. He is working on a full album.
In 2011 and 2012, Darren joined StarKid's concert tours, The SPACE Tour and Apocalyptour.
In January 2012, Darren made his Broadway debut. He took over the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He replaced Daniel Radcliffe for three weeks. His performances were very successful. The musical had its best weeks with Darren in the lead role. Darren also made his first movie appearance in the comedy Girl Most Likely. It came out in July 2013. The movie also starred Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening.
In January 2013, Darren performed for President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. This was at the inaugural balls for the 57th Presidential Inauguration. In April 2013, Darren became an honorary member of Yale University's singing group, The Whiffenpoofs. This was during a concert to help public school arts. Darren's first solo music tour was from May to June 2013. He visited 17 cities in the US, Canada, and France. He sang songs from Glee, StarKid, his Human EP, and new songs.
Continued Success (2016–Present)
Darren played Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway from April to July 2015. He then led the national tour of the show in San Francisco and Los Angeles in late 2016.
His acting in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story received great praise. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film for this role. In the same year, Darren formed the indie pop band Computer Games with his brother, Chuck Criss. Their first album, Lost Boys Life EP, has four songs they wrote. The first song, "Every Single Night," reached number two on Billboard's Hot Singles Sales chart. In December 2017, Darren released a solo EP called Homework. It topped the Billboard Heatseekers Chart.
In 2019, it was announced that Darren would act in, produce, and create Royalties. This show was released in June 2020. He also acted in and produced Hollywood, which came out on Netflix in May 2020. In October 2021, Darren played The Caretaker in Muppets Haunted Mansion.
In March 2021, singer Brandy released "Starting Now," a song Darren co-wrote. This song was part of a Disney special. On October 8, 2021, Darren released his first Christmas-themed album. In December 2022, he went on a Christmas tour across the U.S. From April to July 2022, he performed in the Broadway show American Buffalo. He is also starring in the new Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending.
Media Appearances and Other Projects
Darren has been on the covers of many magazines. These include Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, and TV Guide. He was also in an ad campaign for the Japanese clothing line Uniqlo in 2011.
Darren is an investor in The Motley, a men's grooming company. He also co-founded Elsie Fest, a music festival. It features Broadway and pop music acts. The first festival was held in New York City in September 2015.
Helping Others: Advocacy and Charity Work
Darren Criss supports LGBT rights. He actively helps The Trevor Project. This group works to prevent suicide among LGBTQ youth. Darren received Variety's Power of Youth Philanthropy award for his work with The Trevor Project.
Darren has also been a spokesperson for groups like Rock the Vote.
He recorded the Bob Dylan song "New Morning" with his brother, Chuck Criss. This was for Amnesty International. It was on the album Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, released in 2012.
Darren has performed at many charity events. These include benefits for AIDS Project Los Angeles, Toys for Tots, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.
Personal Life
In January 2018, Darren Criss announced his engagement to Mia Swier. They had been together for seven and a half years. They got married on February 16, 2019. In October 2021, they shared that they were expecting their first child. Their daughter was born in April 2022. Their second child, a son, was born in June 2024.
Filmography
Film Roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2005 | I Adora You | Josh | Short film, minor role |
2009 | Walker Phillips | Elliott | Short film |
2010 | The Chicago 8 | Yippee Man | Minor role |
2011 | Glee: The 3D Concert Movie | Blaine Anderson | Concert documentary |
2012 | Girl Most Likely | Lee | First feature film |
2013 | The Wind Rises | Katayama | Voice (English version) |
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya | Sutemaru | Voice (English version) | |
Six by Sondheim | Franklin Shepard | HBO documentary | |
2014 | Stan Lee's Mighty 7 | Micro | Voice |
2015 | Wrestling Isn't Wrestling | Theatre Audience Member | Short film |
2019 | Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | Raphael | Voice; direct-to-video |
2019 | Midway | Commander Eugene E. Lindsey | |
2020 | Superman: Man of Tomorrow | Clark Kent/Superman | Voice; direct-to-video |
2021 | Justice Society: World War II | Clark Kent/Superman (Earth-1); Superman (Earth-Two) | |
2023 | Legion of Super-Heroes | Clark Kent/Superman | |
Justice League: Warworld | |||
2024 | Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths | Clark Kent/Superman (Earth-1); Superman (Earth-Two) | |
Babes | Doula as a Male |
Television Roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2009 | Eastwick | Josh Burton | Recurring role, 5 episodes |
Little White Lie | Toby Phillips | 11 episodes; also co-songwriter and musical producer | |
2010 | Cold Case | Ruben Harris | Episode: "..." |
2010–15 | Glee | Blaine Anderson | Recurring role (Season 2); 14 episodes Main role (seasons 3–6) |
2011 | Archer | Mikey and Tommy | Voice, episode: "Placebo Effect" |
Life of Leopold | Leopold Bonar | Voice | |
2011–12 | The Glee Project | Himself | 4 episodes |
2012 | Glee: Don't Stop Believing | Himself | Documentary on Glee |
The Cleveland Show | Hunter | Voice, episode: "Jesus Walks" | |
2013 | Web Therapy | Augie Sayles | 3 episodes |
2013 Teen Choice Awards | Co-host | Co-hosted with Lucy Hale | |
2014 | Whose Line Is It Anyway? | Himself | Episode: "Darren Criss" |
2015–17 | Transformers: Robots in Disguise | Sideswipe | Voice |
2015 | American Horror Story: Hotel | Justin | Recurring role, 2 episodes |
2016 | Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Turtles Take Time (and Space) | Raphael | Voice, short |
Transformers: Rescue Bots | Sideswipe | Voice, episode: "The Need for Speed" | |
Hairspray Live! | Himself | Television special, NBC | |
2017 | Supergirl | Music Meister | Episode: "Star-Crossed" |
The Flash | Episode: "Duet" | ||
2018 | The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story | Andrew Cunanan | 9 episodes |
2020 | Saturday Night Seder | Himself | Television special |
The Disney Family Singalong | Himself | Television special | |
Hollywood | Raymond Ainsley | 7 episodes; also executive producer | |
Royalties | Pierce | 10 episodes; also executive producer | |
Wayward Guide for the Untrained Eye | Ryan Reynolds | 1 episode | |
2021 | Trese | Marco | Voice |
Rick and Morty | Bruce Chutback | Voice, episode: "Amortycan Grickfitti" | |
Muppets Haunted Mansion | The Caretaker | TV special | |
Yasuke | Haruto | Voice | |
2022 | Green Eggs and Ham | Looka | Voice, 7 episodes |
2024 | Gabby's Dollhouse | Marty the Party Cat | Voice, episode: "Marty the Party Cat" |
2024 | Hazbin Hotel | Saint Peter | Voice, guest cast |
2024–present | Beastars | Melon | Voice Season 3; recurring role |
Theater Roles
Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes | Ref. |
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1997 | Fanny | Cesario | 42nd Street Moon production | Stage debut | |
1998 | Do I Hear a Waltz? | Mauro | |||
1999 | Babes in Arms | Beauregard Calhoun | |||
2005 | Shed a Little Light: The Music of James Taylor |
Singer and Musician | American Conservatory Theater | ||
2006 | Paper Canoes | Salmon | Zeitgeist Artworks production | ||
2009 | A Very Potter Musical | Harry Potter | StarKid Productions | Lead role, Co-songwriter and composer | |
Me and My Dick | Italian restaurant owner | Cameo (voice only) Co-songwriter and composer, guitarist |
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2010 | A Very Potter Sequel | Harry Potter | Lead role, Sole songwriter and composer Co-producer |
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2012 | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying |
J. Pierrepont Finch | Broadway | Broadway debut Replacement for Daniel Radcliffe |
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A Very Potter Senior Year | Harry Potter | StarKid Productions | Lead role, Co-songwriter and composer | ||
2015 | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Hedwig Robinson | Broadway | Replacement for Neil Patrick Harris | |
2016 | The Little Mermaid | Prince Eric | Hollywood Bowl | Concert | |
White Rabbit Red Rabbit | Performer | Westside Theater | Off-Broadway | ||
Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Hedwig Robinson | US National tour | |||
2022 | American Buffalo | Bobby | Broadway | Broadway revival | |
Chess | Freddie Trumper | Broadway concert | |||
2024 | Gutenberg! The Musical! | The Producer | One night cameo | ||
Little Shop of Horrors | Seymour Krelborn | Westside Theatre | Off-Broadway revival replacement for Corbin Bleu | ||
Maybe Happy Ending | Oliver | Belasco Theatre | Broadway Original Cast |
Video Game Roles
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2011 | Dead or Alive: Dimensions | Jann Lee | Voice |
Web Series and Hosting
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
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2008 | That Media Show | Presenter | 3 episodes; about Hollywood and visual effects. |
2012 | Broadway.com Audience Choice Awards | Host | 13th annual award. |
2015 | Tony Awards Red Carpet | Co-host | Co-hosted with Laura Osnes and Sierra Boggess |
2016 | Countdown to Hairspray Live! | Co-host | Co-hosted with Kristin Chenoweth and Martin Short. |
Musical Performances (Selected)
Year | Event | Location | Notes |
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2010–2013 | Trevor Live | Los Angeles | Benefit for The Trevor Project. He sang "Not Alone", "Teenage Dream", "It's Not Unusual", "Part of Me", and "Smile". |
2011 | MusiCares Person of the Year | Los Angeles | Darren and Glee's Dalton Academy Warblers performed for Barbra Streisand. |
2011 | Glee Live! In Concert! | US, Canada, England & Ireland | A very successful concert tour, making over $40 million. |
2011 | ASCAP Pop Music Awards | Los Angeles | Darren honored Rod Stewart by singing "Da Ya Think I'm ...?" on piano. |
2011 | Billboard / Hollywood Reporter Film & TV Music Conference | Los Angeles | Darren honored composer Alan Menken with Disney songs, singing with Lea Salonga. |
2011 | The SPACE Tour | New York & Boston | StarKid Productions' first national concert tour. |
2011 | Sing Out, Raise Hope, Benefit Concert | New York | Darren performed at Lincoln Center with college singing groups. |
2012 | E! Entertainment pre-Oscar Show | Los Angeles | Darren sang "The Rainbow Connection" with Kermit the Frog. |
2012 | Apocalyptour | New York & Los Angeles | StarKid Productions' second national concert tour. |
2012 | Fundraiser for Barack Obama | Los Angeles | Darren performed for the President at an LGBT fundraising event. |
2013 | 57th Presidential Inauguration | Washington, D.C. |
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2013 | Listen Up Tour | US, Canada & France | Darren's first solo music tour, visiting 18 cities. |
2013 | A Capitol Fourth | Washington, D.C. | Darren was a main performer at the 4th of July concert. |
2014 | Michael Feinstein's New Year's Eve at the Rainbow Room | New York | Darren sang Frank Sinatra songs with Michael Feinstein. |
2016 | Broadway Today with Darren Criss and Betsy Wolfe | Washington, D.C., N.Y.C. & Toronto | Darren and Betsy Wolfe performed Broadway songs with the National Symphony Orchestra. |
2016 | The Little Mermaid in Concert | Los Angeles | Darren played "Prince Eric" in the concert at the Hollywood Bowl. |
* Note: This is a selection of Darren's musical performances. |
Discography
- Solo Albums
- A Very Darren Crissmas (2021)
- EPs
- Human (2010)
- Homework (2017)
- Masquerade (2021)
- Glee Albums
- Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (2010)
- Glee: The Music, Volume 4 (2010)
- Glee: The Music, Volume 5 (2011)
- Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers (2011)
- Glee: The Music, Volume 6 (2011)
- Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011)
- Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2 (2011)
- Glee: The Music, Volume 7 (2011)
- Glee: The Music, The Graduation Album (2012)
- Glee: The Music, Season 4, Volume 1 (2012)
- Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 3 (2012)
- Glee Sings the Beatles (2013)
- Glee: The Music – Celebrating 100 Episodes (2013)
StarKid Productions Albums
- Little White Lie (2009)
- A Very Potter Musical (2009)
- Me and My Dick (A New Musical) (2010)
- A Very StarKid Album (2010)
- A Very Potter Sequel (2010)
- Starship (2011)
- The SPACE Tour (2012)
- Apocalyptour (2012)
- A Very StarKid Senior Year (2012)
Independent Songs
- "Skin and Bones" – Duet with Charlene Kaye – Things I Will Need in the Past (album) (2008)
- "Dress and Tie" – Duet with Charlene Kaye (2011)
- "New Morning" – Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International (album) (2012)
Computer Games
- Lost Boys Life (2017)
Music Videos
- "Skin and Bones" – Charlene Kaye (2009)
- "Magnolia Wine" – Charlene Kaye (2009)
- "Roll with Me" – Montgomery Gentry (2009)
- '"Dress and Tie" – Charlene Kaye (2011)
- "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" – Katy Perry (2011)
- "New Morning" – Amnesty International (2012)
- "Dress You Up" – Vogue's "Fashion Night Out" (2012)
- "Kangaroo Court" – Capital Cities (2013)
- "Songify the News 3" — The Gregory Brothers (2013)
- "I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo" – Capital Cities (2014)
- "Already Home" — A Great Big World (2014)
- "Anthem" — Phantom Planet featuring Darren Criss (2020)
Tours
- Glee Live! In Concert!
- Listen Up Tour (2013)
- LM/DC Tour (with Lea Michele) (2018)
Awards and Nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
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2011 | Variety | Power of Youth Philanthropy | The Trevor Project | Won | |
Dorian Awards | We're Wilde About You / Rising Star Award | Glee | Won | ||
Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV: Breakout Star | Won | |||
NewNowNext Awards | Brink of Fame: Actor | Won | |||
BroadwayWorld – Chicago Awards | Best New Work/New Adaptation | Starship | Won | ||
2012 | BroadwayWorld – Chicago Awards | Best Special Theatrical Event | A Very Potter Senior Year | Won | |
Broadway.com Award | Favorite Replacement | How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying | Won | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Glee | Nominated | ||
2013 | Dorian Award | TV Musical Performance of the Year | Nominated | ||
Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series | Nominated | |||
Shorty Awards | Best Producers of Short Content on Social Media | Himself | Nominated | ||
People's Choice Awards | Favorite Comedic TV Actor | Glee | Nominated | ||
Favorite TV Bromance (with Chord Overstreet) | Nominated | ||||
Favorite On-Screen Chemistry (with Chris Colfer) | Nominated | ||||
2015 | Broadway.com Award | Favorite Replacement | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Won | |
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics | "This Time" – Glee | Nominated | ||
Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Song – TV Show/Digital Series | Won | |||
Giffoni Film Festival | Experience Award | Overall work | Won | ||
2017 | Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle | Lead Performance | Hedwig and the Angry Inch | Nominated | |
2018 | MTV Movie & TV Awards | Best Performance in a Show | The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story | Nominated | |
Primetime Emmy Awards | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie | Won | |||
TCA Awards | Individual Achievement in Drama | Nominated | |||
2019 | Golden Globe Awards | Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film | Won | ||
Critics' Choice Awards | Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries | Won | |||
Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Darren Criss para niños