Darren Criss

Darren Criss, an acclaimed actor, singer, and songwriter, is known for his dynamic performances on stage and screen. He first gained widespread recognition for his breakout role as Blaine Anderson on the hit TV series "Glee," where his renditions of popular songs, such as his performance of "Teenage Dream," reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, became fan favorites. Criss' portrayal of Blaine, an openly gay high school student and lead singer of the Dalton Academy Warblers, earned him critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase. His musical talent and charisma helped elevate "Glee" into a cultural phenomenon during its run from 2010 to 2015.

Criss showed a passion for music and performance from a young age. He attended the University of Michigan, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in theater performance. His early career began in theater with StarKid Productions, a musical theater company he co-founded. There, Criss played the lead in "A Very Potter Musical," a parody of the Harry Potter series, which gained viral popularity on YouTube and showcased his writing and performance skills. He went on to compose all songs for "A Very Potter Sequel" and "Starship," which reached number one on the Billboard Top Cast Albums chart.

Apart from "Glee," Criss has demonstrated his acting versatility in a variety of roles. His most notable achievement came in 2018 when he starred as Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." His chilling portrayal of the infamous serial killer earned him widespread acclaim, winning a Primetime Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. This role cemented Criss's status as a serious dramatic actor, showcasing his range beyond musical theater.

Criss continues to pursue his musical career, co-founding Elsie Fest, New York City's first outdoor music festival celebrating music from stage and screen. He also debuted his indie pop band, Computer Games, with his brother Chuck Criss in 2017. Additionally, he made significant contributions to the music industry by releasing several albums, including "A Very Darren Crissmas," and performing in various musical productions. Criss also co-wrote the single "Starting Now" for singer Brandy, featured in Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration. Moreover, Criss engaged in music tours and live performances, including his solo "Listen Up Tour" and performing with StarKid Productions on their "SPACE Tour" and "Apocalyptour." His performances extend beyond the music scene, with roles in Broadway productions such as "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" and "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying," and television series like "Transformers: Robots in Disguise" and "Rick and Morty." His contributions extend to voicing characters in animated films, including Clark Kent/Superman in multiple animated films such as "Justice Society: World War II," "Legion of Super-Heroes," "Justice League: Warworld," and the upcoming "Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths." Criss is currently starring in the original Broadway musical "Maybe Happy Ending," set to open at the Belasco Theatre.

A multi-talented artist, Criss remains a prominent figure in both the entertainment industry and the theater world, recognized for his dynamic performances and creative contributions. He is also an advocate for LGBT rights and an active supporter of The Trevor Project, for which he received Variety's Power of Youth Philanthropy award.