Darren Criss

About

Darren Criss, born on February 5, 1987, in San Francisco, California, is a versatile American actor, singer, and songwriter. He gained recognition for his portrayal of Blaine Anderson on the Fox television series "Glee" from 2010 to 2015. Criss's stage work includes his notable performance in the Broadway production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch," for which he received widespread acclaim. He went on to win an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his powerful performance in the miniseries "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" (2018), where he played Andrew Cunanan. He is also a co-founder of a musical theater company called StarKid Productions. Darren Criss is highly regarded for his contributions to the performing arts.

Associated With

Darren Criss is a well-connected figure in the entertainment industry, having collaborated with a wide variety of actors, directors, and other professionals. Most notably, he has a long-standing working relationship with Ryan Murphy, the creator of the TV series "Glee", in which Criss starred as Blaine Anderson. Murphy also cast him in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story”, a role that won Criss an Emmy. In terms of his personal life, Criss is married to Mia Swier, a producer and writer. Criss has worked alongside many esteemed actors, like Matthew Morrison in "Glee", and he frequently collaborates with fellow “Glee” alumnus, Lea Michele, on musical projects. Beyond this, he's also co-founded a musical festival called "Elsie Fest" which invites stars from Broadway and the music industry, further enhancing his association with others in the industry.

Career Highlights

• 2009: Darren Criss started his career by co-founding a musical theater company, StarKid Productions. They released their first musical "Me and My Dick," which became the first-ever charting student-produced musical recording on Billboard, landing on #11 on "Top Cast Albums" chart.
• 2010: Criss made his first significant acting appearance in the second season of the American television show “Glee” as Blaine Anderson.
• 2011: Criss had his Broadway debut when he temporally replaced the lead role as J. Pierrepont Finch in “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”
• 2012: He provided his voice for the animated film "The Wind Rises."
• 2013: Darren Criss kicked off his first solo music tour, "Listen Up," performing songs from his solo catalog and Glee.
• 2015: A huge milestone came with his return to Broadway as the lead in the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
• 2016: Criss was cast in the American crime anthology television series “American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”
• 2018: Following a critically acclaimed performance, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie, the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries, or Television Film, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie, making him the second actor to win all five major acting awards for the same role.
• 2019: Criss launched a new festival, the Elsie Fest, which blended his love for music, Broadway, and pop culture.
• 2020: Criss starred in and served as executive producer for the Netflix drama miniseries “Hollywood”, earning his fourth Emmy nomination.

Notable Awards

• Darren Criss has indeed won several notable awards throughout his career. Here are a few:
• Emmy Award: He won the "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie" award in 2018 for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."
• Golden Globe Award: In 2019, he won the "Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television" for the same role in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."
• Screen Actors Guild Award: He won the "Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Miniseries or Television Movie" in 2019 for his performance in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."
• Critics' Choice Television Award: He won the "Best Actor in a Movie/Miniseries" in 2019 for "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story."
• In 2011, he won the Broadway.com Audience Award for "Favorite Breakthrough Performance" for his role in the Broadway musical revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."
• It should be noted that these are just a few of the awards Darren Criss has won, and he has also received numerous nominations for his work.

FAQs

What Is the Most Popular Darren Criss Movie/TV Show?

Darren Criss is widely recognized for his outstanding performance in the TV show "Glee". He made his breakthrough in this series as the character Blaine Anderson, a leading male role. The show gained immense popularity for its unique blend of musical performances interwoven with a dramatic narrative, and it ran for six successful seasons from 2009 to 2015. Criss's charisma and music talent greatly contributed to the show's success, winning him a significant fan base and solidifying "Glee" as arguably his most popular work to date.

How Did Darren Criss Get Famous?

Darren Criss gained fame initially through his role in "A Very Potter Musical," a Harry Potter parody that was released on YouTube by StarKid Productions, a theater company he co-founded while attending the University of Michigan. His breakthrough came when he landed the role of Blaine Anderson on the hit TV show "Glee," where his performance earned him widespread recognition and acclaim. His portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story" further cemented his stardom, earning him an Emmy and a Golden Globe award.