Melissa Benoist is an American actress and singer widely recognized for her role as Supergirl in the eponymous CBS/CW series (2015-2021). She gained initial recognition for playing Marley Rose on the musical series Glee (2012-2014). Her career includes both television and stage work.
1978: The Bionic Woman Ends
The Bionic Woman, starring Lindsay Wagner, concluded in 1978.
1979: Wonder Woman Ends
Wonder Woman, a popular superhero series, ended in 1979.
October 4, 1988: Melissa Benoist is Born
On October 4, 1988, Melissa Benoist was born.
2006: Named a "Can't Miss Kid"
In 2006, Melissa Benoist was recognized for her potential when The Denver Post named her one of Colorado's five "Can't Miss Kids".
2007: Graduates High School
In 2007, Melissa Benoist graduated from Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado.
2008: Film Debut in Tennessee
Melissa Benoist made her film debut in 2008, appearing in the movie Tennessee alongside singer Mariah Carey.
2011: Graduates from Marymount Manhattan College
In 2011, Melissa Benoist graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts.
2011: Performs in The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown
In 2011, Melissa Benoist showcased her talent in the Goodspeed Musicals theatrical production of The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown, playing the role of Kelly.
May 2012: Auditions for Glee
In May 2012, Melissa Benoist auditioned for the musical comedy-drama series Glee in New York City, ultimately landing the role of Marley Rose.
2012: Joins Glee Cast
In 2012, Melissa Benoist joined the cast of the popular musical comedy-drama series, Glee.
June 2013: Becomes Coca-Cola Ambassador
Melissa Benoist was chosen as an ambassador for Coca-Cola's new product, P10 300 mL Coke Mismo, in June 2013.
2013: Kickstarter Campaign for Billy Boy
In mid-2013, Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner launched a Kickstarter campaign to secure funding for their feature film project, Billy Boy. The campaign was successful, reaching its fundraising goal of $100,000.
2013: Possible Year of Marriage
Some sources claim that Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner married in 2013, the same year as their engagement.
June 2014: Joins The Longest Ride Cast
In June 2014, Melissa Benoist joined the cast of the film adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' novel, The Longest Ride, taking on the role of Marcia.
2014: Stars in Whiplash
In 2014, Melissa Benoist appeared in the critically acclaimed drama film Whiplash, which won top awards at the Sundance Film Festival.
2014: Exits Glee
In early 2014, Melissa Benoist, along with several other actors, was not called back for the following season of Glee.
2014: Concludes Role on Glee
In 2014, Melissa Benoist concluded her role as Marley Rose on the musical comedy-drama series, Glee.
May 2015: Cast in Lowriders
In May 2015, it was announced that Melissa Benoist would be playing Lorelai in the film Low Riders.
October 2015: Supergirl Premieres
In October 2015, the highly anticipated superhero series Supergirl, featuring Melissa Benoist in the titular role of Kara Zor-El, made its debut on CBS.
November 30, 2015: Supergirl Receives Full Season Order
CBS gave a full season order to the superhero adventure series Supergirl, starring Benoist, on November 30, 2015.
2015: Benoist and Jenner's Marriage Announcement
In 2015, Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner announced their marriage, although sources suggest they may have been married earlier.
2015: Lands Lead Role in Supergirl
In 2015, Melissa Benoist's career skyrocketed when she landed the lead role of Kara Zor-El in the CBS/CW superhero series Supergirl.
2015: Appears in Various Films
Melissa Benoist appeared in multiple films in 2015, including the comedy-drama Danny Collins, the crime comedy Band of Robbers, and the romantic Western The Longest Ride.
2015: Benoist Suffers Eye Injury
Melissa Benoist sustained an eye injury that tore her iris in 2015. Initially attributed to an accident, she later revealed it was caused by domestic violence.
May 2016: Cast as Katherine Russell in Patriots Day
Melissa Benoist was cast as Katherine Russell, the widow of Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, in the drama film Patriots Day in May 2016.
December 2016: Benoist Files for Divorce
Melissa Benoist filed for divorce from Blake Jenner in late December 2016, citing "irreconcilable differences."
2016: Hillary Clinton's Presidential Campaign
Amy Chozick covered Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, which served as the basis for her novel "Chasing Hillary."
2016: Benoist and Wood Meet
Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood met in 2016 when Wood was cast in "Supergirl."
2016: Stars in Patriots Day and Lowriders
In 2016, Melissa Benoist appeared in the action thriller Patriots Day and the drama Lowriders.
April 2017: Cast as Rachel Koresh in Waco
In April 2017, Melissa Benoist was cast as Rachel Koresh, the wife of Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh, in the Paramount Network miniseries Waco.
October 2017: Benoist Supports Mental Health Campaign
Melissa Benoist supported Chris Wood's launch of the "IDONTMIND" campaign in October 2017, which aims to destigmatize mental health. Benoist opened up about her own struggles with depression and anxiety.
December 2017: Benoist's Divorce Finalized
Melissa Benoist's divorce from Blake Jenner was finalized in December 2017.
2017: Stars in Sun Dogs
Melissa Benoist starred in the comedy-drama Sun Dogs in 2017.
May 7, 2018: Benoist to Star in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
It was announced on May 7, 2018, that Melissa Benoist would be taking on the lead role in the Broadway production of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.
August 4, 2018: Benoist's Run in Beautiful Concludes
Melissa Benoist's run in Beautiful: The Carole King Musical concluded on August 4, 2018.
2018: Release of "Chasing Hillary"
Amy Chozick's novel "Chasing Hillary," which inspired the series "The Girls on the Bus," was published in 2018.
2018: Portrays Rachel Koresh in Waco
In 2018, Melissa Benoist took on the role of Rachel Koresh, the wife of cult leader David Koresh, in the Paramount Network miniseries Waco.
February 10, 2019: Engagement Announcement
On February 10, 2019, Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood announced their engagement.
September 2019: Benoist and Wood's Wedding
Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood were married in a private ceremony in Ojai, California, in September 2019.
November 2019: Benoist Shares Domestic Violence Experience
In November 2019, Melissa Benoist shared her experience as a survivor of domestic violence through an Instagram video, aiming to raise awareness. She revealed that an eye injury she sustained in 2015 was caused by her then-husband throwing a phone at her.
March 4, 2020: Pregnancy Announcement
Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood announced they were expecting their first child on March 4, 2020.
September 25, 2020: Birth of Benoist and Wood's Son
Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood's son was born on September 25, 2020.
October 2020: Jenner Admits to Abuse
In October 2020, Blake Jenner released a statement confirming he had caused Melissa Benoist's eye injury and admitting to inflicting abuse during their relationship. He also alleged that Benoist had physically assaulted him.
February 2021: Launches Production Company
In February 2021, Melissa Benoist established her own production company, Three Things Productions, securing an overall deal with Warner Bros.
October 26, 2021: Release of "Haven's Secret"
On October 26, 2021, Melissa Benoist published her first book, "Haven's Secret," the first in "The Powers" series, a middle-grade fantasy co-written with her sister Jessica Benoist and author Mariko Tamaki.
November 9, 2021: Supergirl Concludes
On November 9, 2021, Supergirl, the superhero series starring Melissa Benoist, aired its final episode.
2021: Supergirl Series Ends
In 2021, the superhero series Supergirl, in which Melissa Benoist played the titular role, came to an end after six seasons.
June 2022: Melissa Benoist Renews Warner Bros. Deal and Joins "The Girls on the Bus"
In June 2022, Melissa Benoist's production company, Three Things Productions, renewed its deal with Warner Bros. Television Group. It was also announced that Benoist would be joining the HBO Max series "The Girls on the Bus," inspired by Amy Chozick's novel "Chasing Hillary."