Lea Michele

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Lea Michele

Lea Michele at the 2010 Time 100.
Born Lea Michele Sarfati
August 29, 1986 (1986-08-29) (age 25)
The Bronx, New York, U.S.
Occupation Actress, singer
Years active 1995–present

Lea Michele Sarfati (born August 29, 1986),[1] known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress and singer. Michele began working professionally as a child actress on Broadway in productions such as Ragtime and Les Misérables. She originated the role of Wendla in the musical Spring Awakening and currently plays Rachel Berry in the Fox television series Glee and made her film debut in New Year's Eve starring alongside Ashton Kutcher. Michele performs in the soprano range.[2]

Contents

[edit] Early life

Michele was born in the Bronx, New York City. She is the daughter of Edith, a nurse, and Marc Sarfati, a delicatessen owner.[1] Her mother is Italian American and Roman Catholic, while her father is a Spanish-Sephardic Jew.[3][4] Michele was raised around both of her parents' religions.[5] She grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. She attended Rockland Country Day School[6] for elementary school in New York and then Tenafly High School.[7] Michele was home schooled one year while working in Toronto, Ontario on Ragtime. She attended Stagedoor Manor in the Catskills, a center for performing arts training.[8] She was then later accepted to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, but opted instead to continue working professionally on the stage.[9][10]

Michele adopted her stage name at an early age; when she went on her first audition, she gave her name as "Lea Michele," and has used it ever since. She has stated that she changed it because she was teased about the pronunciation of her last name.[11]

[edit] Career

Michele made her Broadway debut in 1995 as a replacement in the role of Young Cosette in Les Misérables.[12][13] This was followed by the role of Tateh's daughter, the Little Girl, in the 1998 original Broadway cast of Ragtime.[13][14] In 2004, Michele played Sphritze in the Broadway revival of the musical Fiddler on the Roof.[13][15] She also sang on the 2004 Broadway revival cast recording of Fiddler on the Roof.[16]

Michele at the Glee premiere party, May 2009

She played the role of Wendla in Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik's musical version of Spring Awakening, starring in early workshops and Off-Broadway and finally originating the role in the Broadway production in 2006 at the age of 20.[17] Around the same time that the show was set to go to Broadway, she was offered the role of Eponine in the Broadway revival of Les Misérables.[18] She elected to remain with Spring Awakening, which debuted on Broadway in December 2006. She was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for her performance in Spring Awakening in the category of Outstanding Actress in a Musical.[19]

On May 18, 2008, Michele left Spring Awakening with her co-star Jonathan Groff. She performed in a reading of Sheik and Sater's new musical, Nero, in July 2008 at Vassar College.[20] She portrayed Eponine in the Hollywood Bowl's Les Misérables concert in August 2008.[21]

Michele stars in the Fox television series Glee, where she plays the star singer of a high school glee club, Rachel Berry. She has won a Screen Actors Guild Award for an outstanding ensemble performance[22] and the 2009 Satellite Award for best actress.[23] Michele received the People's Choice award of Best Actress in a Comedy in 2012.[24] She also received nominations for an Emmy Award,[25] two nominations for a Golden Globe Award, and Teen Choice Award for her performance in the role.[26] Several of her solo covers have reached the top 40 on the US Billboard Hot 100, including "Gives You Hell" by The All-American Rejects, "The Only Exception" by Paramore, "Firework" by Katy Perry, "Without You" by David Guetta feat. Usher, and the original song "Get It Right".[27] Michele is the featured lead singer in 14 of the top 25 selling Glee songs as of 2010.[28][29]

Michele was included in TIME magazine's 2010 list of the 100 Most Influential People In the World.[30] FHM named her No.7 on 2010 Sexiest Women List.[31] Michele was named to People Magazine's Best Dressed List of 2010 as "The Newbie"[32] and she was voted "2010 Most Stylish Star" by E! Online.[33] She was ranked 28th on the Maxim 2011 Hot 100.[34] She was number 10 on the AfterEllen hot 100 list for 2011.[35]

In 2010, Michele joined the cast of the animated film Dorothy of Oz,[36] voicing the lead role of Dorothy Gale.[37] She filmed Garry Marshall's romantic comedy New Year's Eve, which was released in 2011.[38]

Before Super Bowl XLV, on February 6, 2011, she performed "America the Beautiful" with the Air Force Tops In Blue.[39]

[edit] Charities

Michele is active in charities for gay rights and animal rights. In 2008, Michele was a part of the PETA ad campaign "Buck Cruelty! Say No to Horse-Drawn Carriage Rides".[40] In April 2010, Michele appeared in a PSA for PETA speaking out against fur clothing.[41] In September 2010, Michele was honored by PETA for her work for animals.[42]

In the support of gay rights, Michele performed at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner in November 2009.[43][44] In the same month, Michele and Jonathan Groff performed for True Colors Cabaret, a fundraiser in support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender equality.[45]

In 2008, Michele performed at a benefit concert, "Alive in the World",[46] to aid the Twin Towers Orphan Fund. Michele has also been active with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS. For Broadway Cares, Michele has participated in Broadway Barks, Broadway Bares, The Easter Bonnet Competition and The Flea Market and Grand Auction.[47]

In October 2010, Michele performed at a benefit concert for The Painted Turtle. The concert celebrated the 35th anniversary of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, with Michele playing the lead role of Janet Weiss for the benefit.[48] In February 2011, she performed for The Grammys' MusiCares Benefit in Los Angeles CA.[49]

[edit] Credits

Broadway

Readings and workshops

  • Burt Bacharach and Steven Sater collaboration (November 2009)[50]
  • Nero as Octavia (July 2008)[51]
  • Samson and Delilah as Delilah[52]
  • King as Anisette[52]
  • Wuthering Heights as Lucy[52]
  • Hot and Sweet as Naleen (September 2006)[53]
  • Spring Awakening as Wendla – Roundabout Theatre Company (2000 and June 2001)[54]
Michele at the 38th People's Choice Awards, Red Carpet 2012

Concerts and events

  • "Broadway Eastern Bonnet" 2004 benefit performance as Sphrintze (with casts of Avenue Q and Fiddler on the Roof)
  • Spring Awakening as Wendla – Lincoln Center (February 2005)
  • Unsung 2007: 'Tis The Season To Be Naughty – Lucille Lortel Theater, New York (December 2007)[55]
  • Alive in the World, benefit concert – as Phoebe (January 2008)[46]
  • "Broadway Eastern Bonnet" 2008 benefit performance as Wendla (with cast of Spring Awakening)
  • Feinstein's (February 2008 and April 2008)[56]
  • Flopz n' cutz Concert with Landon Beard, Joe's Pub (April 2008) [57]
  • Les Misérables Concert as Eponine at the Hollywood Bowl (August 2008)[52]
  • Upright Cabaret (August 2008)[58]
  • Broadway Chance Style: Up Close & Personal (September 2008)[59]
  • Spring Awakening Holiday Benefit Concert – Joe's Pub (December 2008)[60]
  • Human Rights Campaign Dinner, performer (November 2009).[43]
  • True Colors Benefit with Jonathan Groff (November 2009)[45]
  • Glee Live! In Concert! as Rachel Berry; Phoenix, Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City (May 2010)
  • Glee TV Academy Event at the Music Box, Los Angeles (July 27, 2010)
  • Rocky Horror Picture Show 35th Anniversary To Benefit The Painted Turtle, as Janet Weiss, Los Angeles (October 2010)[61]
  • Super Bowl XLV – as performer ("America the Beautiful") Dallas, Texas (February 2011)[62]
  • MusiCares Person of the Year tribute honoring Barbra Streisand, performer, Los Angeles (February 2011)[49]
  • Glee Live! In Concert! as Rachel Berry; 22 cities, 40 shows, 4 countries: US, Canada, England, Ireland (May–July 2011)

Other projects

  • Ragtime as Little Girl, Toronto Centre for the Arts, Toronto, Ontario (1997)
  • The Diary of Anne Frank as Anne Frank, Washington, D.C. (2005)[63]
  • Spring Awakening as Wendla, Atlantic Theatre Company, off Broadway (May–August 2006)
  • Dove commercials as spokesperson (2010)[64]
  • Chevrolet commercial, as Rachel Berry: Glee Super Bowl commercial (February 2011)[65]
  • Nike workout application as spokesperson (2011)[66]
  • HP TouchPad commercial (2011)[67]
  • Candies as spokesperson (2012) [68]

[edit] Filmography

[edit] Film

Year Title Role Notes
1998 Buster and Chauncey's Silent Night Voice for various characters
2011 Glee: The 3D Concert Movie Rachel Berry/Herself Concert movie
2011 New Year's Eve Elise Film debut
2012 Dorothy of Oz Dorothy Gale Lead role

[edit] Television

Year Title Role Notes
2000 Third Watch Sammi "Spring Forward Fall Back" (Season 1, episode 19)
2008 Around the Block Herself Pilot
2009–present Glee Rachel Berry Lead role
2010 Simpsons, TheThe Simpsons Sarah (voice) "Elementary School Musical" (Season 22, episode 1)
2011 Cleveland Show, TheThe Cleveland Show Rachel Berry (voice) "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Roberta?" (Season 2, episode 11)
2012 The Glee Project Herself Guest Star (Season 2, episode 1)

[edit] Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Result Notes
2007 Drama Desk Award Outstanding Actress in a Musical Nominated Spring Awakening
Broadway.com Audience Award Favorite Leading Actress in a Broadway Musical Won
Favorite Female Breakthrough Performance Won
Favorite Onstage Pair (with Jonathan Groff) Won
2008 Grammy Award Best Musical Show Album (Original Broadway Cast, including Lea Michele) Won
2009 New York Television Festival Award Best Nonscripted Host or Star Won Around the Block
Teen Choice Award Choice TV Breakout Star Nominated Glee
Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy Television Series Won
2010 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Won
NewNowNext Award Brink of Fame: Actor Won
Teen Choice Award Choice TV Actress: Comedy Nominated
Choice Music: Group (with Glee Cast) Nominated
Gold Derby TV Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series Nominated
PETA's 30th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards Award Honor Won
Billboard's Women in Music Triple Threat Award Honor Won
Glamour Woman of the Year Award US TV Actress of the Year Won
Satellite Award Best Performance by an Actress in a Musical or Comedy Television Series Nominated Glee
2011 Golden Globe Award Best Actress in a Television Series – Comedy or Musical Nominated
Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Nominated
Grammy Award Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals ("Don't Stop Believin'") Nominated
Best Compilation Soundtrack Album for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media (Glee: The Music, Volume 1) Nominated
Variety Power of Women Award Honor Won
Glamour Women of the Year Award – the Diva Next door Honor Won
DoSomething.org's list of Top 20 Celebs Gone Good of 2011 Honor – advocate for animal rights Won
2012 People's Choice Award Favorite Actress in a Comedy – TV Won Glee
Grammy Award Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (Glee: The Music, Volume 4) Nominated

[edit] Discography

Main article: Glee Cast discography
  • Ragtime: Original Cast Recording (1998)
  • Fiddler on the Roof: Revival Cast Recording (2004)
  • Spring Awakening: Original Cast Recording Grammy Award winner – Best Cast Recording (2006)

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b "Lea Michele: Biography". TV Guide. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/lea-michele/bio/252097. Retrieved December 10, 2010. 
  2. ^ "Interview: Glee Star Lea Michele On Central Park, Comedy, and a Sweaty Co-Star". villagevoice.com. September 9, 2009. http://blogs.villagevoice.com/music/2009/09/interview_glee.php. Retrieved August 6, 2011. 
  3. ^ "Little Miss Big-Time". Glamour. September 3, 2010. http://mygloss.com/fit/2010/09/03/lea-michele-loves-being-healthy/. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  4. ^ Yuan, Jada (August 23, 2009). "Choir Girl". NY Magazine. http://nymag.com/guides/fallpreview/2009/tv/58493/. Retrieved November 1, 2010. 
  5. ^ "Glee Club Glory" Jvibe.com
  6. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: Glee Star Lea Michele's Childhood Photos" May 21, 2010, Radar Online
  7. ^ Freydkin, Donna (May 10, 2010). "Lea Michele never stopped believing". USA Today. http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2010-05-10-LeaMichele10_CV_N.htm. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  8. ^ Bonanos, Christopher (July 11, 2010). "Jazz Hands, Everyone!". New York Magazine. http://nymag.com/arts/theater/features/67156/. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  9. ^ Gans, Andrew (November 4, 2006). "DIVA TALK: Chatting with Spring Awakening's Lea Michele Plus News of LuPone, Kritzer and Gravitte". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/celebritybuzz/article/103763-DIVA-TALK-Chatting-with-Spring-Awakenings-Lea-Michele-Plus-News-of-LuPone-Kritzer-and-Gravitte. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  10. ^ Messer, Lesley (May 11, 2010). "Who Is Lea Michele's Broadway Star Beau?". People. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20368310,00.html. Retrieved November 2, 2010. 
  11. ^ "Lea Michele Changed Her Last Name Because of Bullying". US Weekly. http://omg.yahoo.com/news/lea-michele-changed-her-last-name-because-bullying-000148517.html;_ylt=AjTG6QhQSRAdedm5zZ38OV0Ppxx.;_ylu=X3oDMTNwb3RpdTE3BG1pdANNb2QgVGlsZSA0BHBrZwM4MTg0NWJhZC03MTQxLTNhYmUtYWIyMy1hYzYxZTc2NzY2Y2QEcG9zAzEEc2VjA01lZGlhUGhvdG9UaWxlBHZlcgMyNzQxNTg0MC0yMWZhLTExZTEtYjdmZi0wNWZhMzQ4YWY1ZDk-;_ylg=X3oDMTFvdnRqYzJoBGludGwDdXMEbGFuZwNlbi11cwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANob21lBHB0A3NlY3Rpb25zBHRlc3QD;_ylv=3. Retrieved December 9, 2011. 
  12. ^ Waterman, Lauren."High School Musical: Glee's Lea Michele" teenvogue.com, October 12, 2009
  13. ^ a b c "Lea Michelle listing Internet Broadway Database, accessed October 8, 2011
  14. ^ Viagas, Robert."Entire Toronto 'Ragtime' Cast Headed for B'way" playbill.com, May 8, 1997
  15. ^ Jones, Kenneth."Not Your Zayde's 'Fiddler on the Roof': Leveaux's Fresh Revival Opens on Broadway Feb. 26" playbill.com, February 26, 2004
  16. ^ "Fiddler on the Roof [2004 Broadway Revival Cast: Credits"]. Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. http://www.allmusic.com/album/fiddler-on-the-roof-2004-broadway-revival-cast-r692135/credits/credits. Retrieved November 9, 2011. 
  17. ^ "Drama Desk Official website". Dramadesk.com. http://www.dramadesk.com/. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  18. ^ "Diva Talk: Chatting With 'Spring Awakening'/'Les-Mizs' Lea Michele Plus News of Ebersole Eder" playbill.com
  19. ^ D. Rooney."Musicals pose Tony voting crunch", Variety.com, April 26, 2007
  20. ^ Bacalzo, Dan. "Arden, Carlson, Menzel, Michele, Robbins, et al. Set for Sater and Sheik's Nero", theatermania.com, June 23, 2008.
  21. ^ Gans, Andrew."A World About to Dawn: 'Les Misérables' Arrives at the Hollywood Bowl Aug. 8" playbill.com, August 8, 2008
  22. ^ "16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® Recipients". Sagawards.org. 2010-01-23. http://www.sagawards.org/media-pr/press-releases/16th-annual-screen-actors-guild-awards%C2%AE-recipients. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  23. ^ "Lea Michele — WINNER Actress in a Comedy or Musical Series". Pressacademy.com. http://www.pressacademy.com/recipient/lea-michele/. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  24. ^ [1]
  25. ^ "Lea Michele Emmy Nominated". Emmys.com. http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/lea-michele. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  26. ^ [2]
  27. ^ [3]
  28. ^ "Lea Michele to Receive Billboard's First-Ever Triple Threat Award At Women in Music" November 17, 2010, Billboard
  29. ^ [4]
  30. ^ Lea Michele – The 2010 TIME 100, Time Magazine
  31. ^ Lea Michele – FHM #7, gleehab.com, June 3, 2010.
  32. ^ "Actresses Zoe Saldana, Lea Michele land on People magazine's 'Best Dressed' top 10". Daily News (New York). September 15, 2010. http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2010/09/15/2010-09-15_actresses_zoe_saldana_lea_michele_land_on_people_magazines_best_dressed_top_10.html. 
  33. ^ "Top 10 Stylish Stars of 2010" 1. Lea Michele, E Online
  34. ^ "2011 Hot 100" May 3, 2011, Maxim
  35. ^ AfterEllen.com Staff (May 23, 2011). "The 2011 AfterEllen.com Hot 100: 10. Lea Michele". AfterEllen.com. http://www.afterellen.com/2011-hot-100-results?page=0,30. Retrieved October 26, 2011. 
  36. ^ "Dorothy of Oz web site". Dorothyofoz.com. http://www.dorothyofoz.com/. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  37. ^ "Quick Takes: 'Glee' star Lea Michele cast in animated 'Dorothy of Oz'". Los Angeles Times. June 12, 2010. http://articles.latimes.com/2010/jun/12/entertainment/la-et-quick-20100612. 
  38. ^ "Glee's Lea Michele to Celebrate New Year's Eve". MovieWeb.com. October 22, 2010. http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEFflSc4xeE2IH. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
  39. ^ "Tops in Blue to perform at Super Bowl". January 31, 2011. http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2011/01/airforce-tops-blue-013111w/. Retrieved February 7, 2011. 
  40. ^ "Spring Awakening Actress Lea Michele Joins PETA Campaign" Broadway World
  41. ^ "Lea Michele Says No to Fur in PETA Ad" eonline.com
  42. ^ "Lea Michele And Alec Baldwin Team Up For The Animals" September 01, 2010, Radar Online
  43. ^ a b "Lea Michele Sings 'On My Own' at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner" November 24, 2009, Broadwayworld.com
  44. ^ "STAGE TUBE: Lea Michele Sings 'On My Own' at the Human Rights Campaign Dinner", broadwayworld.com, November 29, 2009.
  45. ^ a b Glikas, Bruce. "Lea Michele and Jonathan Groff Reunite Onstage at True Colors Cabaret", BroadwayWorld.com, November 30, 2009
  46. ^ a b "Alive in the World". Alive in the World. http://www.aliveintheworld.com. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
  47. ^ [5]
  48. ^ "Rocky Horror Picture Show Tribute, With Lea Michele, Matthew Morrison, Presented October 28". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/144412-Rocky-Horror-Picture-Show-Tribute-With-Lea-Michele-Matthew-Morrison-Presented-Oct-28. Retrieved November 20, 2010. 
  49. ^ a b "Kristin Chenoweth, Matthew Morrison, Lea Michele Honor Streisand at Feb. 11 MusiCares Gala" 11 Feb 2011, Playbill
  50. ^ ""Steven Sater Working on Chitty Remake, Musical With Bacharach, Spring Awakening Film and More", By Adam Hetrick, Mar 11, 2010 Playbill". Playbill.com. 2010-03-11. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/137745-Steven-Sater-Working-on-Chitty-Remake-Musical-With-Bacharach-Spring-Awakening-Film-and-More. Retrieved 2012-02-13. 
  51. ^ "Idina Menzel and Lea Michele Bring Nero to Vassar" Broadway World
  52. ^ a b c d "Photo Flash: Lea Michele Makes Her Sold Out LA Upright Cabaret Debut" BroadwayWorld.com
  53. ^ "Katie Finneran, Lea Michele Complete Cast of NYMF’s Hot and Sweet" 9 August 2006, Playbill
  54. ^ "Spring Awakening Workshopped at Roundabout Theatre Company" 13 July 2001, Playbill
  55. ^ "BC/EF Hosts 'Unsung: 'Tis the Season to be Naughty' Dec.10", Broadwayworld.com, December 9, 2007.
  56. ^ "Spring Awakening Star Lea Michele Shines at Feinstein's", Broadwayworld.com
  57. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Cody, von Essen, Michele, McCartney, Rapp and More Set for Flopz n' Cutz 4", Playbill.com, March 4, 2008.
  58. ^ "Lea Michele To Make Hollywood Cabaret Debut 8/15-8/16", Broadwayworld.com, June 20, 2008.
  59. ^ Gans, Andrew. "Broadway Chance Style Benefit, with Bundy, Michele, Espinosa, Cusick, Presented Sept. 27, Playbill, September 27, 2008.
  60. ^ "Photo Coverage: SPRING AWAKENING Holiday Concert at Joe's Pub", BroadwayWorld.com, December 16, 2008.
  61. ^ Benigno, Anthony. "Halloween gets the star treatment: Lea Michele, Jack Nicholson headline 'Rocky Horror' tribute show", New York Daily News, October 29, 2010.
  62. ^ "Lea Michele to Sing at Super Bowl" January 28, 2011, New York Magazine
  63. ^ Lyon, Tracy. "Washington D.C.", TalkingBroadway.com.
  64. ^ Lea Michele's Dove Commercial YouTube
  65. ^ Chevoret Super Bowl ad YouTube
  66. ^ "Lea Michele's Nike Training Club App (VIDEO)" 24 March 2011, Huffington Post
  67. ^ "New HP TouchPad Ad Stars Glee’s Lea Michele" 21 July 2011, by Dan Ramirez, webOSroundup
  68. ^ [6]

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