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Darren Criss Biography

Birth Name:Darren Everett Criss

Birth Place:San Francisco, California, United States

Profession Actor, Soundtrack, Writer, Producer, Music department

Fast Facts

  • In 2011, won Variety Magazine's "Power of Youth Philanthropy" award for The Trevor Project, the Teen Choice Award for "Choice TV: Breakout Star" for "Glee," the "Brink of Fame: Actor" NewNowNext Award for "Glee" and "Best New Work/New Adaptation" Broadway World - Chicago Award for "Starship" and other awards
  • Hosted "We Day" in 2013, organized by the "Free the Children" charity, as a youth empowerment event
  • Participated on the album "Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International" with his brother, Chuck Criss, by covering the song "New Morning" to help raise money for human rights in 2012
  • Co-founded the Team StarKid theater production company with University of Michigan friends and classmates in 2009
  • Graduated from the University of Michigan in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, majoring in theater performance and minoring in musicology and Italian
  • Brother to musician and member of the group "Freelance Whales," Charles "Chuck" Criss
  • Born to Cerina, an accountant, and Charles Criss, an investment banker and former director of the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra
  • Made his Broadway debut in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" as J․ Pierrepont Finch in 2012
  • Made his stage debut at age 10 as Cesario in 42nd Street Moon's 1997 production of "Fanny," then continued in theater until landing his breakout TV role as Josh Burton in "Eastwick" in 2009
  • Quote: "The coolest part for me is that I get to be a vessel of positive support․ This isn't a new issue․ It has been around for a long time, prejudice in general․ It takes many shapes and forms, and I want people to know that there is nothing more bad*ss than being who you are․"
  • Quote: "That which makes you different is what makes you strong․"
  • Award-winning actor-singer of the screen and stage best known for his roles on TV's "Glee," "Eastwick" and "Little White Lie․"
  • Is a partner of "The Motley," a men's grooming e-tailer based in California
  • Released his first EP titled "Human" in 2009, including the song he wrote when he was 15

Awards

  • 2011Dorian Award-We're Wilde About You! Rising Star of the Year: winner
  • 2011OFTA Television Award-Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2011Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Breakout Star: winner
  • 2012Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series: nominated
  • 2013Dorian Award-TV Musical Performance of the Year: nominated
  • 2014People's Choice Award-Favorite TV Bromance: nominated
  • 2014People's Choice Award-Favorite On-Screen Chemistry: nominated
  • 2014Teen Choice Award-Choice TV: Male Scene Stealer: nominated
  • 2014Young Hollywood Award-Best On-Screen Couple: nominated
  • 2015BTVA Anime Dub Movie/Special Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in an Anime Feature Film/Special: nominated
  • 2015Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: nominated
  • 2015Teen Choice Award-Choice TV Actor: Comedy: nominated
  • 2016BTVA People's Choice Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: winner
  • 2016BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a New Television Series: winner
  • 2017BTVA Television Voice Acting Award-Best Vocal Ensemble in a Television Series: nominated
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Movie/Limited Series Actor: winner
  • 2018Gold Derby TV Award-Ensemble of the Year: nominated
  • 2018IGN Award-Best Dramatic TV Performance: nominated
  • 2018INOCA TV-Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie: nominated
  • 2018MTV Movie + TV Award-Best Performance in a Show: nominated
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Ensemble in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: winner
  • 2018OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Motion Picture or Limited Series: winner
  • 2018People's Choice Award-Favorite Drama TV Star: nominated
  • 2018Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie: winner
  • 2018TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 2019Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series: winner
  • 2019Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Movie Made for Television or Limited Series: winner
  • 2019Dorian Award-TV Performance of the Year - Actor: nominated
  • 2019UZETA Award-Best Performance in a TV Series: nominated
  • 2019Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Actor of the Decade: winner
  • 2019Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2019Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor in a Long Fiction Program: nominated
  • 2019Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Miniseries & Limited Series or a Motion Picture Made for Television: winner
  • 2019Special Achievement Award-Best Ensemble, Television: winner
  • 2020Black Reel-Outstanding TV Movie/Limited Series: nominated