As the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards draw near, we look back at the careers of the lead acting nominees.
2 of 9 Les Miserables
Les Miserables
Michele made her Broadway debut at the tender age of 8 as Young Cosette on Broadway's Les Miserables in 1995.
3 of 9 Ragtime
Ragtime
Michele played Tateh's daughter, the Little Girl, on Broadway's Ragtime in 1998.
4 of 9 Spring Awakening
Spring Awakening
In 2006, at the age of 20, Michele originated the role of Wendla on the Broadway production of the rock musical. She earned a Drama Desk Award nomination for her performance.
5 of 9 Carin Baer/Fox
Glee
Ryan Murphy wrote the part of high-strung Rachel Berry specifically for Michele, who has earned Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her work.
6 of 9 Fox
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Michele's cover of The All-American Rejects' "Gives You Hell" topped the Irish charts and peaked at No. 32 on Billboard.
7 of 9 Fox
Michele performed on the Glee Live! In Concert! tour in May 2010.
8 of 9 Jemal Countess/WireImage
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Michele, Jonathan Groff (L) and Stephen Spinella (R) were part of the original Broadway cast of Spring Awakening.
9 of 9 Janette Pellegrini/WireImage
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Groff, who plays Jesse St. James, Rachel's love interest on Glee, introduced Michele to show creator Ryan Murphy.