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Darren Criss

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Darren Criss BIO

Since bursting onto the pop-culture landscape over a decade ago, Darren Criss has made his unique mark in the entertainment industry - across stage and screen, for music and acting.

Darren exploded into the internet’s subculture as both an actor and songwriter for the YouTube viral hit A Very Potter Musical in 2009 and in 2010 went on to become a fan favorite on FOX’s massively successful musical series Glee as Blaine Anderson. He worked again with Ryan Murphy in American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace. Criss' portrayal of spree killer Andrew Cunanan received acclaim from critics, and earned him an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries, or Television Film.

He starred on Broadway in multiple shows, including his debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying as J. Pierrepont Finch and most recently in David Mamet’s American Buffalo alongside Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell.

Since starring in his breakout role as Blaine Anderson on TV’s Glee, Criss has since gone on to star on the screen, stage, and beyond. This year alone has seen him in the spotlight for many live performances- at America's biggest birthday party “A Capitol Fourth” on PBS, opening for the Grammy winning cappella group Pentatonix at the Hollywood Bowl in late September, and mostly recently for a very special holiday performance at State Farm Park in iHeartLand. He also starred in American Buffalo on Broadway alongside Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne and Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell, and co-hosted the 2022 Tony Awards: Act One with Julianne Hough.

Criss has continued to write and produce music extensively through the years, whether for his own releases as an artist or as a songwriter for theater, film & television. In 2015, his songwriting landed an Emmy nomination for Best Original Music and Lyrics, from penning the song “This Time” for Glee’s series finale. In 2019, he created, executive produced, starred in, and provided all the original songs for his short-form musical comedy series Royalties, and earlier this year provided the music & lyrics for the opening number of the 2022 Tony Awards: Act One. As an artist, he most recently delivered a genre-diverse collection of "character-driven" singles as part of his 2021 solo EP titled “Masquerade” (BMG) , and in the same year, released a full-length Christmas album titled- aptly- A Very Darren Crissmas (Decca).

Making his Broadway debut in 2012, Darren replaced Daniel Radcliffe in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. In 2015, he took on the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch replacing Neil Patrick Harris, and also headlined its national tour. He is a co-founder of Elsie Fest, touted as New York City’s first outdoor music festival celebrating tunes from the stage and screen.

Darren Criss Photos

Darren Criss STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2022
Performer

[Off-Broadway]
Off-Broadway Revival, 2021
Seymour [Replacement]

[US Tour]
Broadway National Tour, 0
Hedwig

[Off-Broadway]
New York Premiere Production, 2016
Performer

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 2014
Hedwig [Replacement]

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 2011
J. Pierrepont Finch [Replacement]


Darren Criss Movies

A Very Potter Musical
[ 2009 ] Harry Potter
Me and My Dick
[ 2009 ] Writer
A Very Potter Sequel
[ 2010 ] Harry
The Chicago 8
[ 2011 ] Yippie Man
Starship
[ 2011 ]
Girl Most Likely
[ 2012 ] Lee
A Very Potter Senior Year
[ 2013 ] Harry
The Wind Rises
[ 2013 ] Katayama - Voice
The Tale of the Princess Kaguya
[ 2013 ] Sutemaru - Voice
Stan Lee's Mighty 7
[ 2014 ] Micro - Voice
A Very StarKid Reunion
[ 2015 ]
Flop Stoppers
[ 2016 ]
Speech & Debate
[ 2017 ]
Sydney's Adventure
[ 2018 ]
All You Ever Wished For
[ 2018 ] Tyler Hutton
Midway
[ 2019 ] Eugene Lindsey
Music Music Music
[ 2019 ]
Show of titles
[ 2021 ]
Justice Society: World War II
[ 2021 ] Superman / Clark Kent - Voice

Darren Criss TV Shows

Little White Lie
Toby Phillips
Eastwick
Josh Burton
A Very Potter Musical
[ 2009-2010 ] Harry Potter
Cold Case
Reuben Harris '69
Archer
Mikey, Tommy
The Cleveland Show
Hunter
Web Therapy
Augie Sayles
Web Therapy
Augie Sayles
American Horror Story
Justin
Glee
[ 2010-2015 ]
Glee
[ 2010-2015 ] Blaine Anderson, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman
Transformers: Rescue Bots
Sideswipe
:Dryvrs
Samual
Supergirl
Music Meister
The Flash
Music Meister
Transformers: Robots in Disguise
[ 2014-2017 ] Sideswipe, Son
American Crime Story
Andrew Cunanan
Wayward Guide
Ryan Reynolds
Wayward Guide
Ryan Reynolds
Royalties
Pierce
Hollywood
Raymond Ainsley
Yasuke
Haruto, Additional Voices
Trese
Marco Guerrero, Marco
Rick and Morty
Naruto, Bruce Chutback
Green Eggs and Ham
Looka

Darren Criss Videos

Darren Criss News


Betty Buckley, Darren Criss, and More To Headline BROADWAY SERIES In Provincetown


Tony Award-winning Broadway, film and TV legend Betty Buckley, and Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor and singer Darren Criss will headline Town Hall performances as part of a revived and expanded Broadway music series produced by the Grammy and Emmy Award-winning artist John McDaniel and presented by Post Office Cafe & Cabaret and Tin Pan Alley.

Speakers & Sessions Announced For Broadway Stage Management Symposium


The 10th annual Broadway Stage Management Symposium has announced the Broadway stage managers and session topics for the 10th annual conference for stage managers.

POP SINGS 54 Comes to 54 Below This May


Experience the magic of POP SINGS 54, a unique concert featuring New York's top session singers, who've backed John Legend, Shawn Mendes, and Post Malone, performing at 54 Below in aid of Experience Camps for grieving children.

Performers Jim Caruso & Billy Stritch Return To Bemelmans Bar At The Carlyle


Catch the latest performances by Jim Caruso and Billy Stritch at Bemelmans Bar.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 27, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 27, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Photos: Hugh Jackman and More Attend ALAN CUMMING IS NOT ACTING HIS AGE


The second and final performance of Alan Cumming is Not Acting His Age took place on March 25. Special guests at the performance included Hugh Jackman, Darren Criss, Julianna Margulies, and more. BroadwayWorld was there and you can check out photos here!

Original LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Film Reboot in the Works


Little Shop of Horrors, the 1960 horror comedy that inspired the hit musical, is being rebooted for a new film. Little Shop of Halloween Horrors will launch a new franchise, led by Joe Dante and Roger Corman. Following the original film, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman's musical adaptation premiered Off-Broadway in 1982, where the revival now runs.

Darren Criss To Headline Long Wharf Theatre's Annual Benefit Concert This May


Join Darren Criss, star of stage and screen, as he headlines the Long Wharf Theatre’s Annual Benefit Concert on May 14.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 13, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 13, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Watch Evan Rachel Wood's LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Remix of Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers'


Watch a video of Evan Rachel Wood singing Miley Cyrus' 'Flowers' as Audrey from Little Shop of Horrors. She is currently starring in the award-winning production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS alongside Darren Criss and shows her ability to bring out the Audrey accent at any moment.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld March 12, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is March 12, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Photo: Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell Visit LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS


An American Buffalo reunion took place at Little Shop of Horrors when Laurence Fishburne and Sam Rockwell came to visit their former co-star Darren Criss! See photos!

Grant Gustin's Theatre Roots: From GLEE to THE FLASH to Broadway


Grant Gustin, who is making his Broadway debut this season in Water For Elephants, is best known for his role on the successful series The Flash. But did you know that Grant Gustin got his start in the theatre? Learn more about Grant Gustin's theatre roots here!

Ang Lee, Corey Stoll and Madison Love to be Honored at NYU Tisch School of the Arts' 2024 Gala


New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts will honor world-renowned film director Ang Lee, critically acclaimed film, television and Broadway actor Corey Stoll, and multi-platinum singer and songwriter Madison Love. Learn more about the honorees and about the gala!

Darren Criss and Cat Cohen Will Lend Voices to GWYNETH GOES SKIING in Edinburgh and Utah


Gwyneth Goes Skiing is headed to Edinburgh Fringe this August, and will also make its international premiere in Utah. Darren Criss will provide the singing voice of Terry Sanderson alongisde Edinburgh Comedy Award Winning comedian, actress and singer Cat Cohen, who will lend her voice  as Gwyneth Paltrow.

Video: Darren Criss Jokes He's Had Experience With Man-Eating Plants Before LITTLE SHOP: 'I'm in Showbiz'


After several years in showbusiness, Darren Criss feels like Little Shop of Horrors isn't his first time dealing with a man-eating plant. While sitting down on Live! With Kelly & Mark, Criss joked that years in the entertainment industry prepared him to battle Audrey II. Watch the video from his appearance now!

Video: Evan Rachel Wood Discusses Her Musical Theatre Roots Before LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS


Not everyone knew that Evan Rachel Wood had a background in musical theatre, but her Little Shop of Horrors co-star, Darren Criss, did. The Off-Broadway revival's new Audrey sat down on LIVE! With Kelly & Mark to discuss returning to her musical theatre roots with longtime collaborator Criss. Watch the video now!

Video: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Star Darren Criss Stops By WATCH WHAT HAPPENS LIVE!


Check out video of Darren Criss, the newest Seymour in the three-time Best Musical Revival Award-winning production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, as he stops by for a visit with Andy Cohen on Watch What Happens Live!.

Wake Up With BroadwayWorld February 13, 2024


Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is February 13, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.

Video: Darren Criss is Suddenly Back on Stage in LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS


In this video, watch as Darren Criss catches up with Richard Ridge about joining the company of Little Shop of Horrors off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre.

Darren Criss FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Darren Criss next theatre project?

Darren Criss's next show will be American Buffalo which opens on 4/14/2022 on Broadway.

How many Broadway shows has Darren Criss been in?

Darren Criss has appeared on Broadway in 3 shows.

How many West End shows has Darren Criss been in?

Darren Criss has not appeared in the West End.

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