Career Timeline of Darren Criss: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Darren Criss, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Darren Criss is an American actor, singer, and songwriter known for his roles in television, particularly as Blaine Anderson in Glee and Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, for which he won an Emmy and a Golden Globe. He has also performed on Broadway, appeared in films, and released musical albums, establishing a multifaceted career in entertainment.
1997: Professional stage debut in Fanny
In 1997, at the age of ten, Darren Criss made his professional stage debut as Cesario in 42nd Street Moon's production of Fanny.
1998: Played Mauro in Do I Hear a Waltz?
In 1998, Darren Criss played Mauro in the Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim musical Do I Hear a Waltz?
1999: Played Beauregard Calhoun in Babes in Arms
In 1999, Darren Criss played Beauregard Calhoun in Babes in Arms.
2009: Release of Human EP
In 2009, Darren Criss released his first EP, titled Human. He had written his first song at age fifteen, which he later used as the title track.
2009: Television Career Begins
In 2009, Darren Criss started his television career with a five-episode arc playing the character of Josh Burton on Eastwick.
2009: Co-founded StarKid Productions
In 2009, upon receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts, Darren Criss co-founded StarKid Productions, a musical theater company, with friends and classmates from the University of Michigan.
July 20, 2010: Release of Human EP
On July 20, 2010, Darren Criss released his independently produced EP called Human, which peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart.
November 9, 2010: First appearance on Glee
On November 9, 2010, Darren Criss made his first appearance on the Fox television series Glee, in the episode "Never Been Kissed," playing Blaine Anderson.
November 27, 2010: "Teenage Dream" Reached Number One
On November 27, 2010, Darren Criss's first performance on Glee, "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry, reached number one on the Billboard Digital Songs chart and number eight on the Billboard Hot 100.
December 10, 2010: Became a Member of ASCAP
On December 10, 2010, Darren Criss became the 400,000th member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
2010: Rise to fame on Glee
In 2010, Darren Criss rose to fame starring on the television series Glee.
April 2011: Signed with Sony Music Entertainment
In April 2011, Darren Criss signed with Sony Music Entertainment.
November 2011: Participated in StarKid's The SPACE Tour
In November 2011, Darren Criss participated in StarKid's first national concert tour, The SPACE Tour, for the New York and Boston shows.
2011: Featured in Uniqlo ad campaign
In 2011, Darren Criss was featured in the fall ad campaign for Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing line.
January 2012: Broadway Debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
In January 2012, Darren Criss made his Broadway debut, replacing Daniel Radcliffe in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for a three-week engagement at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
January 24, 2012: Released "New Morning" on Amnesty International compilation album
On January 24, 2012, Darren Criss, featuring his brother Chuck Criss, released a recording of the Bob Dylan song "New Morning" for Amnesty International, as part of the compilation album Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International.
2012: Joined StarKid's Apocalyptour
In the summer of 2012, Darren Criss joined StarKid again for their second national tour, Apocalyptour, for the Los Angeles and New York shows.
January 2013: Performed for the Obamas at the Inaugural Balls
In January 2013, Darren Criss performed for US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden at the inaugural balls of the 57th Presidential Inauguration.
July 19, 2013: Girl Most Likely released nationwide
On July 19, 2013, Darren Criss's feature film debut in the comedy Girl Most Likely was released nationwide.
April 29, 2015: Joined Hedwig and the Angry Inch
On April 29, 2015, Darren Criss took on the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Belasco Theater.
July 19, 2015: Left Hedwig and the Angry Inch
On July 19, 2015, Darren Criss concluded his role as Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Belasco Theater.
September 27, 2015: First annual Elsie Fest held
The first annual Elsie Fest, a music festival co-founded by Darren Criss featuring Broadway and pop music acts, was held on September 27, 2015, in New York City.
2015: End of Glee
Darren Criss's role on the television series Glee ended in 2015.
2015: Co-founded Elsie Fest
In 2015, Darren Criss co-founded Elsie Fest, New York City's first outdoor music festival celebrating tunes from the stage and screen.
November 27, 2016: Headlined Hedwig and the Angry Inch national tour
On November 27, 2016, Darren Criss concluded headlining the national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch in San Francisco and Los Angeles.
March 2017: Debuted indie pop band Computer Games
In March 2017, Darren Criss debuted his indie pop band Computer Games along with his brother Chuck Criss.
December 2017: Released Homework EP
In December 2017, Darren Criss released a five-track solo EP titled Homework. The EP debuted atop the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and at number seven on Billboard's Independent Albums chart.
2018: Emmy and Golden Globe Awards for American Crime Story
In 2018, Darren Criss's portrayal of spree killer Andrew Cunanan in Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace earned him an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award.
July 10, 2019: Announced as Actor, Executive Producer, and Creator for Royalties
On July 10, 2019, it was announced that Darren Criss would be an actor, executive producer, and creator for Royalties, a new show on the streaming service Quibi.
September 6, 2019: Announced as Actor and Executive Producer for Hollywood
On September 6, 2019, it was announced that Darren Criss would be an actor and executive producer for Hollywood, released on Netflix.
May 1, 2020: Release of Hollywood
On May 1, 2020, Hollywood, a show for which Darren Criss was an actor and executive producer, was released on Netflix.
June 1, 2020: Release of Royalties
On June 1, 2020, Royalties, a show for which Darren Criss was an actor, executive producer, and creator, was released on Quibi.
March 2021: Co-wrote "Starting Now"
In March 2021, Darren Criss co-wrote the single "Starting Now" with singer Brandy. This song was later featured in a Disney Princess music special.
August 2021: Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration Premiered
In August 2021, Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration, a music special featuring the song "Starting Now" co-written by Darren Criss, premiered on the Disney Channel and Disney+.
October 8, 2021: Released first Christmas-themed album
On October 8, 2021, Darren Criss released his first Christmas-themed album through Decca Records.
October 2021: Portrayed The Caretaker in Muppets Haunted Mansion
In October 2021, Darren Criss portrayed The Caretaker in Muppets Haunted Mansion.
April 14, 2022: Performed in Broadway revival of American Buffalo
From April 14, 2022, Darren Criss performed in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo alongside Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne.
July 10, 2022: End of Broadway Revival Performance
On July 10, 2022, Darren Criss's performance in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo came to an end.
December 2022: Christmas-themed tour across the U.S.
In December 2022, Darren Criss embarked on a Christmas-themed tour across the U.S., performing songs from his Christmas album.
November 2024: Starred in Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending
Since November 2024, Darren Criss has starred in the Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theatre and is also a producer of the show.
August 2025: Planned Exit from Maybe Happy Ending
Darren Criss plans to exit the Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending in August 2025.
2025: Tony Awards for Maybe Happy Ending
In 2025, Darren Criss won two Tony Awards for Maybe Happy Ending, one for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical and one for Best Musical as co-producer.
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