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.
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.