Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Dianna Agron

How Dianna Agron built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Dianna Agron is an American actress and singer known for her work in both film and television. She has received a Screen Actors Guild Award and has been nominated for two Grammy Awards and a Brit Award, highlighting her contributions to both acting and music.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2005: Moved to Los Angeles and Signed with Dance Agency

In 2005, Dianna Agron moved to Los Angeles and was signed by a dance agency, leading to her pursuing acting and music video opportunities.

2006: Television Appearances and Uncredited Film Role

In 2006, Dianna Agron appeared on television series including Shark, Close to Home, Drake & Josh, CSI: NY and Numbers, and had an uncredited appearance in When a Stranger Calls.

2006: Screen Debut

In 2006, Dianna Agron made her screen debut after acting in small theater productions in her youth.

2007: Starred in Skid Marks, Rushers, and T.K.O.

In 2007, Dianna Agron appeared in comedy films like Skid Marks and Rushers, which won the short film audience award at the 2007 Method Fest, and the action-thriller film T.K.O.

2007: Main Role in It's a Mall World and Recurring Role in Heroes

In 2007, Dianna Agron played the main role of Harper in the Milo Ventimiglia-directed MTV series It's a Mall World and appeared in a recurring role for the second season of Heroes.

2008: Television Appearances

In 2008, Dianna Agron appeared on television series including Shark, Close to Home, Drake & Josh, CSI: NY and Numbers.

2008: Screenplay Optioned

In 2008, Dianna Agron's feature screenplay about a 28-year-old man and his relationships with different women in his life as he learns how to say "I love you" was optioned.

2009: Wrote, Starred in, Directed, and Executive-Produced A Fuchsia Elephant

During the hiatus away from filming Glee in the summer of 2009, Agron wrote, starred in, directed, and executive-produced an unreleased short comedy film called A Fuchsia Elephant.

2009: Breakthrough Role in Glee

In 2009, Dianna Agron had her breakthrough role as Quinn Fabray in the Fox musical comedy drama series Glee.

2009: Cast as Quinn Fabray in Glee

In 2009, Dianna Agron landed her breakthrough role as Quinn Fabray on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee, becoming the last principal actor to be cast.

2010: Directed Music Video and Took on Film Roles

In 2010, Dianna Agron directed the music video for "Body" by Thao & The Get Down Stay Down and took on more film roles, including Natalie in Burlesque.

2010: Emceeing "Chickens in Love" Concert

In 2010, Dianna Agron emceed the concert "Chickens in Love" for literacy non-profit 826LA. This was part of her charitable endeavors supporting children.

2010: Acted in "The Romantics"

In 2010, Dianna Agron played Candice Bergen's daughter in the film The Romantics.

2010: Filming I Am Number Four

In the summer of 2010, photography began for the film I Am Number Four, the day after the first Glee tour finished.

May 2011: Tested for Alice Deane Role in Seventh Son

In May 2011, after Pettyfer dropped out of playing Tom in Seventh Son, Agron tested for the role of Alice Deane.

December 12, 2011: Launch of You, Me & Charlie (YM&C)

On December 12, 2011, Dianna Agron launched You, Me & Charlie (YM&C), a curation platform where she and other contributors wrote and collected posts on subjects including music, art, fashion, and daily inspiration.

2011: Attended Trevor Live!

In 2011, Dianna Agron attended the Trevor Project's Trevor Live! with Glee co-stars Kevin McHale and Darren Criss.

2011: Film Roles

In 2011, Dianna Agron had various supporting parts, including the cheerleader Samantha in Bold Native, an animal liberation terror film.

2011: Starred in I Am Number Four

In 2011, Dianna Agron starred in the superhero adaptation I Am Number Four.

2011: Wrote Time 100 Entry for Chris Colfer

In 2011, Dianna Agron wrote the Time 100 entry for her Glee co-star Chris Colfer.

2011: Tested for Alice Deane Role in Seventh Son

In May 2011, after Alex Pettyfer dropped out of playing Tom in Seventh Son, Dianna Agron tested for the role of Alice Deane.

June 2, 2012: Hosted GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco

On June 2, 2012, Dianna Agron hosted the GLAAD Media Awards in San Francisco, auctioning off kisses to the audience and raising $5,500 for the campaign.

2012: Visited Somaly Mam Foundation's Kampong Cham Center

In 2012, Dianna Agron visited the Somaly Mam Foundation's Kampong Cham center, where she met child and teenage residents, demonstrating her support for charities for refugees.

2012: GLAAD Spirit Day Ambassador

Since 2012, Dianna Agron has been a GLAAD Spirit Day ambassador, which demonstrates her activism for LGBT+ rights.

February 2013: Hosted Concert for YM&C in Los Angeles

In February 2013, Dianna Agron hosted a concert for the curation blog You, Me & Charlie in Los Angeles, where she performed Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" and Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It" with the band A House For Lions.

2013: Appeared in The Killers' "Just Another Girl" music video

In 2013, Dianna Agron appeared in the music video for The Killers' "Just Another Girl", portraying the lead singer, Brandon Flowers. She also briefly appeared in the fifth season of Glee.

2013: Starred in "The Family"

In 2013, Dianna Agron played Belle Blake in Luc Besson's "The Family" alongside Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer, marking her transition after reducing her role on Glee. The film garnered mixed reviews, but Agron's performance was praised, leading to a Women Film Critics Circle Award nomination.

2013: Promoted Campaign Fundraiser Benefiting Somaly Mam Foundation

In 2013, Dianna Agron promoted a campaign fundraiser benefiting the Somaly Mam Foundation, continuing her support for charities aiding refugees.

2013: Spoke at the San Francisco Power of Choice Luncheon

In 2013, Dianna Agron spoke at the 18th San Francisco Power of Choice Luncheon to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Roe v. Wade.

February 2014: Starred in Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One" music video and directed music video for "Till Sunrise"

In February 2014, Dianna Agron starred as the scorned bride in Sam Smith's "I'm Not the Only One" music video. That same month, she also directed the music video for "Till Sunrise" by Goldroom.

August 2014: Wrote Article for NBC News Promoting UN International Youth Day

In August 2014, Dianna Agron wrote an article for NBC News to promote United Nations (UN) International Youth Day.

November 2014: Featured on UNICEF Charity Single "Imagine"

In November 2014, Dianna Agron, among many other international artists, was featured on the United Nations Children's Fund charity single "Imagine".

December 2014: United Service Organizations Tour

In December 2014, Dianna Agron provided services and live entertainment to United States troops and their families as part of the United Service Organizations tour at Bagram air field, Afghanistan, and locations in Spain, Italy, Turkey, and the UK.

2014: Global Citizen Ambassador

Since 2014, Dianna Agron has been a Global Citizen Ambassador, regularly participating in the Global Citizen Festival. This is related to her activism and support for various causes.

2015: Directed short film for Tory Burch and returned to Glee

In 2015, Dianna Agron directed a short film for Tory Burch's Paris flagship store opening and represented the brand at the Met Gala. She also returned to Glee for its final season.

2015: Starred in 'Bare' and made theatre debut in 'McQueen'

In 2015, Dianna Agron played the lead role in the drama film 'Bare' and made her professional theater debut in 'McQueen' at the St. James Theatre on the West End. She also performed the U.S. national anthem in London for Independence Day 2015.

2015: Starred in Drama Bare

In 2015, Dianna Agron starred in the drama Bare.

2015: Activism for Charities and Advocacy Groups

In 2015, The Guardian noted that Dianna Agron is known for her activism, supporting charities and advocacy groups when not acting, particularly related to LGBT+ and human rights.

2016: Visited Resettled Syrian Refugees in Austria and Jordan

In 2016, Dianna Agron traveled with the UN to visit resettled Syrian refugees in Austria and Jordan, continuing her support for charities for refugees.

September 2017: Singing Debut at Café Carlyle

In September 2017, Dianna Agron made her singing debut with a residency at the Café Carlyle in New York, performing music originally sung by male acts and receiving positive reviews for her vocal quality.

2017: Featured in "Novitiate" and "Hollow in the Land"

In 2017, Dianna Agron appeared in the film "Novitiate" as Sister Mary Grace and starred as Alison Miller in the drama "Hollow in the Land", receiving positive reviews for her performances.

2017: Desired return to indie films

In 2017, Dianna Agron expressed her desire to return to indie films after 'Glee' and 'The Family', seeking solace in smaller projects.

2017: Jurist for Nora Ephron Prize

In 2017, Dianna Agron served as a jurist for the Nora Ephron Prize at the Tribeca Film Festival, supporting female filmmakers.

2018: Jurist for Through Her Lens Grant at Tribeca

In 2018, Dianna Agron was a jurist for the Through Her Lens grant at Tribeca, supporting female filmmakers.

February 2019: Returned to the Café Carlyle

In February 2019, Dianna Agron returned to the Café Carlyle for a second residency, performing a setlist tailored for her husky register with a larger band.

2019: Directed and starred in "Berlin, I Love You" segment

In 2019, Dianna Agron directed and starred in a segment of the film "Berlin, I Love You", playing a puppeteer. The film received mixed reviews, but Agron's segment was often highlighted as the most effective.

2019: Starred in and Directed Part of Berlin, I Love You

In 2019, Dianna Agron starred in Berlin, I Love You, part of which she also directed.

March 2020: Lost the Title of Most Charting Act in History

By March 2020, Agron and her Glee castmates lost the title of most-charting (Billboard) act in history, after holding the record since the start of the sixth season.

2020: Started working on Acidman

In 2020, Dianna Agron began working on the film Acidman, which deals with themes of father-daughter relationships.

2020: Starred in Shiva Baby

In 2020, Dianna Agron starred in the comedy Shiva Baby.

2020: Shift to prominent independent films

Starting in 2020 with "Shiva Baby", Dianna Agron began appearing in more prominent independent films, receiving well-received performances. Most of her characters during this time were identifiably Jewish.

2021: Starred in "The Laureate"

In 2021, Dianna Agron portrayed Laura Riding in the historical biopic "The Laureate", which tells the story of Riding's life with Robert Graves and their lovers.

April 2022: Starred in "As They Made Us"

In April 2022, Dianna Agron played the lead role, Abigail, in Mayim Bialik's "As They Made Us", alongside Dustin Hoffman and Candice Bergen. This film addresses themes of parental death.

April 2022: Third Residency at the Café Carlyle

In March and April 2022, Dianna Agron performed her third residency at the Café Carlyle, receiving positive reviews for her commentary and connection with the audience.

June 2022: Criticized Supreme Court Repeal of Roe v. Wade

In June 2022, Dianna Agron criticized the Supreme Court of the United States when it repealed Roe v. Wade.

2023: Starred in The Chosen One

In 2023, Dianna Agron returned to mainstream television in the Netflix fantasy drama series The Chosen One, which was her first non-English language role.

2023: Released 'Acidman' and 'Clock' and joined 'The Chosen One'

In 2023, Dianna Agron starred in the releases of 'Acidman' and 'Clock'. She also returned to television for the first time since Glee, joining the main cast of Netflix's 'The Chosen One'.