History of Matthew Morrison in Timeline

Matthew James Morrison is an American actor, dancer, and singer widely recognized for his portrayal of Will Schuester on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee, which aired from 2009 to 2015.

1999: "Fresh Step" and Footloose Debut

While attending NYU in 1999, Matthew Morrison appeared on Late Show with David Letterman and Total Request Live as a member of the parody boy band "Fresh Step." This led to his casting in the Broadway musical Footloose, prompting him to leave NYU.

2001: Joining and Leaving LMNT

In 2001, Matthew Morrison joined the boy band LMNT but left within a year, before they recorded their only album.

2002: The Rocky Horror Show and Hairspray Debut

In 2002, Matthew Morrison made a brief appearance in a revival of The Rocky Horror Show. He then landed the role of Link Larkin in the original Broadway cast of Hairspray, which opened the same year.

2002: Hairspray Debut

Matthew Morrison landed the role of Link Larkin in the original Broadway cast of Hairspray in 2002.

2003: Early Television and Film Roles

Matthew Morrison began working in television in the early 2000s, guest-starring in shows like Ghost Whisperer, Numbers, CSI: Miami, and Hack. He also had a role in the film Marci X in 2003.

January 2004: Departure from Hairspray

Matthew Morrison finished his run as Link Larkin in the original Broadway cast of Hairspray in January 2004.

August 28, 2005: Departure from The Light in the Piazza

Matthew Morrison ended his run in the Broadway production of The Light in the Piazza on August 28, 2005.

2005: Once Upon a Mattress

In 2005, Matthew Morrison appeared as Sir Harry in the ABC-TV production of Once Upon a Mattress, starring alongside Tracey Ullman, Zooey Deschanel, and Carol Burnett.

2005: The Light in the Piazza and Tony Award Nomination

In 2005, Matthew Morrison starred as Fabrizio Nacarelli in the Broadway premiere of The Light in the Piazza, earning him a Tony Award nomination.

December 9, 2006: Engagement to Chrishell Stause

Matthew Morrison got engaged to actress Chrishell Stause on December 9, 2006. The couple later ended their engagement.

2007: 10 Million Miles and Film Roles

Matthew Morrison earned a Drama Desk Nomination for his role in the Off-Broadway show 10 Million Miles in 2007. The same year, he appeared in the films Dan in Real Life and Music and Lyrics.

2008: South Pacific

In 2008, Matthew Morrison took on the role of Lieutenant Cable in a Lincoln Center production of the musical South Pacific.

May 19, 2009: Glee Preview

The highly anticipated television series Glee, starring Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester, premiered on May 19, 2009.

2009: Glee Debut

In 2009, Matthew Morrison's breakout role as Will Schuester in the Fox television show Glee premiered.

2009: Leaving South Pacific and Glee Filming

Matthew Morrison left the production of South Pacific at the end of 2008 and returned to California in early 2009 to film the first season of Glee.

January 2010: Signing with Mercury Records

Matthew Morrison secured a solo record deal with Mercury Records in January 2010.

June 16, 2010: Performance with Leona Lewis

Matthew Morrison joined Leona Lewis on stage at London's O2 Arena for a special performance of "Over the Rainbow" during her world tour on June 16, 2010.

2010: Reflecting on LMNT Experience

In a 2010 interview, Matthew Morrison spoke about his time with LMNT, calling it "the worst year of my life."

May 10, 2011: Matthew Morrison Album Release

Matthew Morrison released his debut solo album, "Matthew Morrison," on May 10, 2011, after signing with Mercury Records.

2011: Beginning of Relationship with Renee Puente

Matthew Morrison and Renee Puente began dating in 2011.

2011: Debut Album Release

Matthew Morrison released his first studio album, "Matthew Morrison," in 2011, featuring collaborations with notable artists like Elton John, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sting.

March 2012: Performance in "8"

In March 2012, Matthew Morrison participated in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play, "8," which reenacted the federal trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage.

2012: Signing with 222 Records

Matthew Morrison signed a solo record deal with Adam Levine's 222 Records in 2012, marking a significant step in his music career.

April 2013: Appearance at Olivier Awards

Matthew Morrison made an appearance at the 2013 Laurence Olivier Awards at the Royal Opera House in London in April 2013.

June 4, 2013: Where It All Began Release

Matthew Morrison's second studio album, "Where It All Began," featuring show tunes and jazz standards, was released by 222 Records on June 4, 2013.

June 2013: PBS Concert Broadcast

A recording of Matthew Morrison's concert at Connecticut's Bushnell Center aired on PBS in June 2013.

June 27, 2013: Engagement Announcement

On June 27, 2013, with the help of Elton John, Matthew Morrison publicly announced his engagement to Renee Puente.

2013: Second Album Release

Matthew Morrison released his second album, "Where It All Began," in 2013, exploring show tunes and jazz standards.

October 18, 2014: Marriage

Matthew Morrison and Renee Puente were married in a private ceremony on October 18, 2014, at a private residence in Maui.

April 2015: Finding Neverland Broadway Debut

Matthew Morrison returned to Broadway in April 2015, starring as J.M. Barrie in the musical adaptation of Finding Neverland.

2015: Finding Neverland Debut

Matthew Morrison took on the lead role of J.M. Barrie in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland, which opened in 2015.

2015: End of Glee and Broadway Debut in Finding Neverland

Matthew Morrison's time on Glee came to an end in 2015 after a successful run. The same year, he took on the lead role of J.M. Barrie in the Broadway musical Finding Neverland.

July 7, 2016: Performance with The New York Pops

On July 7, 2016, Matthew Morrison and Megan Hilty performed an evening of Broadway and other songs with The New York Pops at the Forest Hills Stadium in Queens.

2016: Finding Neverland Run Concludes

Matthew Morrison's run in Finding Neverland on Broadway concluded in 2016.

May 16, 2017: First Child Announcement

Matthew Morrison announced on Instagram that he and his wife, Renee Puente, were expecting their first child on May 16, 2017.

October 22, 2017: Birth of First Child

Matthew Morrison and Renee Puente's first child, a son, was born on October 22, 2017.

2019: The Greatest Dancer and American Horror Story

Matthew Morrison became a "dance captain" on BBC One's The Greatest Dancer in 2019. That same year, he also took on the role of Trevor in the ninth season of FX's American Horror Story.

December 2020: The Grinch Musical Live!

Matthew Morrison starred as the Grinch in NBC's production of Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical Live! in December 2020.

2020: The Grinch Musical Live! and Reality Show Judging

In 2020, Matthew Morrison starred as the Grinch in NBC's Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical Live! He also continued his judging roles on reality dance shows The Greatest Dancer and So You Think You Can Dance.

2020: Disney Dreamin' with Matthew Morrison

Matthew Morrison released his third studio album, "Disney Dreamin' with Matthew Morrison," in 2020.

2020: The Greatest Dancer Season Two

Matthew Morrison returned as a "dance captain" for the second season of The Greatest Dancer in 2020.

March 16, 2021: Second Child Announcement

On March 16, 2021, Matthew Morrison announced on Instagram that he and his wife, Renee Puente, were expecting their second child after experiencing a series of miscarriages.

June 28, 2021: Birth of Second Child

Matthew Morrison and Renee Puente welcomed their second child, a daughter, on June 28, 2021.

April 4, 2022: So You Think You Can Dance Judging Role

Matthew Morrison was announced as a judge for the seventeenth season of So You Think You Can Dance on April 4, 2022.

June 2022: Dismissal from So You Think You Can Dance and Response

Matthew Morrison was dismissed from his judging role on So You Think You Can Dance in June 2022. He addressed the situation in an Instagram video, denying claims of inappropriate messages.

June 2023: A Paris Christmas Waltz Announcement

It was announced in June 2023 that Matthew Morrison would star in the TV film A Paris Christmas Waltz.

November 2023: A Paris Christmas Waltz Premiere

Matthew Morrison starred alongside Jen Lilley in A Paris Christmas Waltz, which aired on Great American Family in November 2023.

2024: Chicago in Japan and From Embers

Matthew Morrison is set to star in the independent thriller From Embers. He is also set to play Billy Flynn in a limited engagement of Chicago in Japan in 2024.