Darren Criss is an American actor, singer, and songwriter known for his roles in television, Broadway, and film. He gained recognition for his role in "Glee" and won Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story." He has also released music albums.
February 5, 1987: Birth of Darren Criss
Darren Everett Criss was born on February 5, 1987.
1992: Darren Criss's Family Returns to San Francisco
In 1992, Darren Criss's family moved back to San Francisco after living in Honolulu for four years.
1997: Darren Criss Makes Professional Stage Debut
Darren Criss made his first professional stage debut at the age of 10 in a production of "Fanny" in 1997.
1998: Darren Criss Performs in "Do I Hear a Waltz?"
Darren Criss performed in the Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim musical, "Do I Hear a Waltz?" in 1998.
1999: Darren Criss Performs in "Babes in Arms"
Darren Criss performed in "Babes in Arms" in 1999.
2005: Darren Criss Graduates from St. Ignatius College Preparatory
Darren Criss graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 2005.
2008: Darren Criss Studies Abroad in Italy
Darren Criss studied abroad at the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy in 2008.
2009: Darren Criss Appears in "Eastwick"
Darren Criss began his television career in 2009 with a five-episode arc in "Eastwick."
2009: Darren Criss Graduates from the University of Michigan
Darren Criss graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Michigan in 2009.
2009: Darren Criss Releases Debut EP
Darren Criss released his debut EP, Human, in 2009.
2009: Darren Criss Co-Founds StarKid Productions
In 2009, Darren Criss co-founded the musical theatre company StarKid Productions.
July 20, 2010: Release of "Human" EP
On July 20, 2010, Darren Criss released his debut EP, "Human," showcasing his talent in the soul-folk genre. The EP was well-received, reaching number 17 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart.
November 9, 2010: Darren Criss Debuts on "Glee"
Darren Criss made his first appearance as Blaine Anderson on the Fox television series "Glee" in the episode "Never Been Kissed", which aired on November 9, 2010.
November 27, 2010: "Teenage Dream" Hits Number Eight on Billboard Hot 100
Darren Criss's performance of "Teenage Dream" on "Glee" reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending November 27, 2010.
December 10, 2010: Joins ASCAP
Darren Criss achieved a significant milestone in his music career on December 10, 2010, when he became a member of the prestigious American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP).
2010: Darren Criss Rises to Fame on Glee
In 2010, Darren Criss rose to fame for his role as Blaine Anderson on the television series Glee.
2010: Darren Criss's "Teenage Dream" Performance Praised
Darren Criss's performance of "Teenage Dream" was widely praised and was nominated for several awards.
July 3, 2011: Glee Live! In Concert! Tour Concludes
On July 3, 2011, the highly successful Glee Live! In Concert! tour, featuring Darren Criss and the cast of Glee, concluded. The tour, which began on May 21, 2011, spanned the US, Canada, England, and Ireland, grossing over $40 million and attracting over 485,000 attendees.
November 2011: Participates in StarKid's "The SPACE Tour"
Darren Criss rejoined his StarKid collaborators for select shows in their first national concert tour, "The SPACE Tour," in November 2011, further solidifying his connection with the group.
2011: Featured in Uniqlo Ad Campaign and Various Publications
Darren Criss's rising popularity in 2011 led to his appearance in a fall ad campaign for the Japanese clothing brand Uniqlo. He also graced the covers of numerous publications, including Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Out, and People magazine, where he was named one of the "Sexiest Men Alive."
January 2012: Broadway Debut in "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying"
Darren Criss made his Broadway debut in January 2012, taking on the lead role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." His performance was a critical and commercial success, drawing large audiences to the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.
January 24, 2012: Contributes to Amnesty International Album
Darren Criss lent his voice to a worthy cause in January 2012 by recording Bob Dylan's "New Morning" for Amnesty International's compilation album, "Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International."
2012: Recognized for Style and Talent by GQ and AfterElton
In 2012, Darren Criss continued to receive accolades for his talent and sense of style, being recognized by GQ as one of the "30 Under 30: The Most Stylish Young Men In Hollywood" and topping AfterElton's "Hot 100" list for the second consecutive year.
2012: Joins StarKid's "Apocalyptour"
In 2012, Darren Criss continued to support StarKid by participating in their second national tour, "Apocalyptour," for performances in Los Angeles and New York.
January 2013: Performs at the 57th Presidential Inaugural Balls
Darren Criss had the distinct honor of performing for President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden at the prestigious inaugural balls celebrating the beginning of the 57th Presidential Inauguration in January 2013.
April 14, 2013: Becomes Honorary Member of Yale's The Whiffenpoofs
On April 14, 2013, Darren Criss's musical talent earned him recognition from Yale University's renowned a cappella group, The Whiffenpoofs, making him an honorary member.
June 30, 2013: First Solo Music Tour Concludes
Darren Criss completed his first solo music tour on June 30, 2013, captivating audiences in 17 cities across the US, Canada, and France. The tour featured a mix of songs from his repertoire, including tracks from Glee, StarKid, his "Human" EP, and new material.
July 19, 2013: Film Debut in "Girl Most Likely"
On July 19, 2013, "Girl Most Likely," a comedy starring Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Matt Dillon, was released nationwide, marking Darren Criss's debut on the big screen.
April 29, 2015: Stars as Hedwig in "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on Broadway
Darren Criss took on the iconic role of Hedwig in the Broadway production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on April 29, 2015, showcasing his versatility as a performer.
July 19, 2015: Concludes Broadway Run of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"
On July 19, 2015, Darren Criss completed his successful run as Hedwig in the Broadway production of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" at the Belasco Theater.
September 27, 2015: Co-founds Elsie Fest
Demonstrating his passion for both Broadway and pop music, Darren Criss co-founded Elsie Fest, an annual music festival that brings together the best of both worlds. The inaugural event took place in New York City on September 27, 2015.
2015: Darren Criss Stars in Glee Until 2015
Darren Criss continued to star in Glee until 2015.
2015: Darren Criss Co-founds Elsie Fest
In 2015, Darren Criss co-founded Elsie Fest, an outdoor music festival in New York City.
November 27, 2016: Concludes "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" National Tour
Darren Criss wrapped up his headlining role in the national tour of "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" on November 27, 2016, having captivated audiences in San Francisco and Los Angeles with his portrayal of the iconic character.
March 2017: Darren Criss Debuts Computer Games Band
Darren Criss, along with his brother Chuck Criss, debuted their indie pop band Computer Games in March 2017.
December 2017: Releases Solo EP "Homework" and Forms Computer Games
December 2017 was a busy month for Darren Criss. He released his solo EP, "Homework," which topped the Billboard Heatseekers Chart, and also formed the indie pop band Computer Games with his brother, Chuck. Their debut single, "Every Single Night," was a quick success, debuting high on the Billboard charts.
January 2018: Gets Engaged to Mia Swier
Darren Criss announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Mia Swier, in January 2018.
2018: Darren Criss Earns Emmy and Golden Globe Awards
In 2018, Darren Criss received critical acclaim and won both an Emmy and Golden Globe award for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
2018: Darren Criss Stars as Andrew Cunanan
In 2018, Darren Criss starred as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in the second season of Ryan Murphy's American Crime Story.
February 16, 2019: Marries Mia Swier
Darren Criss married his longtime girlfriend, Mia Swier, on February 16, 2019, after a seven-and-a-half-year courtship.
July 10, 2019: Announced as Creator, Executive Producer, and Actor for "Royalties"
On July 10, 2019, Darren Criss added another feather to his cap with the announcement of his involvement in "Royalties," a new show for the streaming service Quibi. He was slated to not only act in the series but also serve as its creator and executive producer, collaborating once again with Team StarKid.
September 6, 2019: Joins Netflix's "Hollywood" as Actor and Executive Producer
Further expanding his repertoire, Darren Criss joined the cast of Ryan Murphy's Netflix series "Hollywood" on September 6, 2019, taking on the dual role of actor and executive producer.
May 1, 2020: "Hollywood" Premieres on Netflix
"Hollywood," a Netflix series featuring Darren Criss as both an actor and executive producer, premiered on the streaming platform on May 1, 2020.
June 1, 2020: "Royalties" Premieres on Quibi
Darren Criss's latest project, "Royalties," a musical comedy series in which he served as creator, executive producer, and actor, premiered on Quibi on June 1, 2020.
March 2021: Co-writes "Starting Now" with Brandy
Darren Criss ventured into songwriting for other artists in March 2021, co-writing the single "Starting Now" with renowned singer Brandy. The song was featured in Disney's "Ultimate Princess Celebration."
August 2021: "Starting Now" Featured in Disney Princess Remixed
In August 2021, "Starting Now," a song co-written by Darren Criss and performed by Brandy, was prominently featured in "Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration," a music special aired on Disney Channel and Disney+.
October 8, 2021: Releases Debut Christmas Album
On October 8, 2021, Darren Criss embraced the holiday spirit by releasing his debut Christmas-themed album under Decca Records.
October 2021: Announces Pregnancy with Mia Swier
Darren Criss and his wife, Mia Swier, announced in October 2021 that they were expecting their first child together.
October 2021: Stars as The Caretaker in "Muppets Haunted Mansion"
Darren Criss showcased his comedic timing and versatility in October 2021 by taking on the role of The Caretaker in "Muppets Haunted Mansion."
April 2022: Welcomes Daughter with Mia Swier
Darren Criss and his wife, Mia Swier, welcomed their first child, a daughter, in April 2022.
July 10, 2022: Concludes Run in Broadway Revival of "American Buffalo"
Darren Criss's performance in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's "American Buffalo" alongside renowned actors Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne concluded on July 10, 2022, marking another successful chapter in his stage career.
December 2022: Embarks on Christmas-Themed Tour
Riding the wave of his Christmas album's success, Darren Criss embarked on a U.S. tour in December 2022, bringing holiday cheer to fans across the country with a setlist filled with festive songs.
2024: Clarifies Sexual Identity
In 2024, Darren Criss publicly clarified his sexual identity, stating that while he considers himself "culturally queer," he identifies as a straight, cisgender man.