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'''Darren Everett Criss''' (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and a founding member and co-owner of the theater production company [[Team StarKid]]. He played [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] in the musicals ''[[A Very Potter Musical]]'' and ''[[A Very Potter Sequel]]'', and currently portrays [[Blaine Anderson]], an openly gay student, in the TV series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]''. Criss is set to make his [[Broadway Theatre|Broadway]] debut in the revival of ''[[How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]]'' in January 2012.
'''Darren Everett Criss''' (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, a founding member and co-owner of the theater production company [[Team StarKid]] and a sexy mot**rfu**ing BAMF. He played [[Harry Potter (character)|Harry Potter]] in the musicals ''[[A Very Potter Musical]]'' and ''[[A Very Potter Sequel]]'', and currently portrays [[Blaine Anderson]], an openly gay student, in the TV series ''[[Glee (TV series)|Glee]]''. Criss is set to make his [[Broadway Theatre|Broadway]] debut in the revival of ''[[How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying]]'' in January 2012.


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==

Revision as of 23:00, 24 August 2011

Darren Criss
File:Darren Criss 2011 Shankbone 2.JPG
Criss at the 2011 Time 100 gala
Born
Darren Everett Criss

(1987-02-05) February 5, 1987 (age 37)
San Francisco, California
Occupation(s)Actor, singer-songwriter, musician, composer

Darren Everett Criss (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer-songwriter, musician, composer, a founding member and co-owner of the theater production company Team StarKid and a sexy mot**rfu**ing BAMF. He played Harry Potter in the musicals A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel, and currently portrays Blaine Anderson, an openly gay student, in the TV series Glee. Criss is set to make his Broadway debut in the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in January 2012.

Early life and education

Criss was born in San Francisco, California, the son of Cerina (née Bru) and C. William Criss, a banker and a former director of the San Francisco Opera, the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, the Stern Grove Festival, and San Francisco Performances.[1][2][3] His mother, a native of Cebu in the Philippines, is of Chinese, Spanish, and Filipino descent,[4] and his father has Irish ancestry.[5][6] He has an older brother named Charles "Chuck" Criss who is part of the indie rock band Freelance Whales.[7]

Criss attended Stuart Hall for Boys - Schools of the Sacred Heart, San Francisco and then later graduated from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory.[8] During his time at Saint Ignatius, Criss was awarded the National Latin Exam Award in 2002 (Maxima Cum Laude - Silver Medal) and 2003 (Magna Cum Laude), along with the 'Theater Arts Leadership Award' and the 'Fine Arts Plaque Award'.[9][10] In 2009, Criss obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performance degree from the University of Michigan.[11]

Criss is a classically trained violinist who began playing at the age of five. He later taught himself guitar, piano, cello, mandolin, harmonica and drums.[12][13]

Career

Theater

Criss made his professional stage debut at the age of ten, in 42nd Street Moon's 1997 production of Fanny in the role of Cesario.[14] The next year, Criss played Mauro in the same company's production of the Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim musical Do I Hear a Waltz?,[15] followed by Babes in Arms in 1999, in which he played Beauregard Calhoun.[16] Criss is a graduate of the American Conservatory Theater's Youth Conservatory, based in San Francisco.[17] In the spring of 2008, he attended the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy, where he studied Commedia dell'arte.[18][19]

Criss is part owner of Team StarKid, a theater production company that was formed by students at the University of Michigan.[20] His roles with Team StarKid include "Harry Potter" in the YouTube viral musicals A Very Potter Musical and A Very Potter Sequel. Both productions are musical-comedies based on the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.[21]

On August 1, 2011 it was announced that Criss would make his Broadway debut, replacing Daniel Radcliffe in the role of J. Pierrepont Finch in the revival of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying for a limited three week engagement that will last from January 3–22, 2012.[22][23]

Television

His early television career includes roles on the television series Eastwick and Cold Case.[24]

On November 9, 2010, Criss made his first appearance on Glee in the sixth second-season episode, "Never Been Kissed". He portrayed Blaine Anderson, a gay student at Dalton Academy and lead singer of its rival glee club, The Warblers.[25] Blaine was a recurring character for the rest of the season, appearing in most episodes, first as a mentor and friend to main character Kurt Hummel, played by Chris Colfer, though they eventually became a couple.[26] Glee creator Ryan Murphy initially stated, "Darren has a major, major arc... He sort of becomes Kurt's mentor and then maybe love – Kurt had to leave his own school because of bullying and goes to an all-boys academy and finds acceptance because that school has a zero-tolerance no-bullying policy. So Kurt really admires him and respects him. He plays someone who's one year older than Chris' character, so he's the old pro."[27] Criss has been promoted to the main cast for the show's third season.[28]

Internet

Criss at Comic Con, July 2011

Criss started out as the host of That Media Show, a San Francisco production which discussed Hollywood, filmmaking and visual effects.[29]

Criss played the role of "Toby Phillips" in the web series Little White Lie (2007), produced by Team StarKid.

Criss currently voices the character of "Leopold Bonar" from the Funny or Die web series Life of Leopold.[30]

Music

Criss is credited as one of the primary songwriters and composers, along with A.J. Holmes and Carlos Valdes, for Team StarKid musical productions. He has contributed songs to A Very Potter Musical (2009), Me and My Dick (2009), the web-series Little White Lie (2007), and composed all the songs and music for A Very Potter Sequel (2010), its companion album A Very StarKid Album (2010), and Starship (2011).[21] The Starship album was released on April 29, 2011. It reached No.1 on Billboard Top Cast Album Chart, No.2 on iTunes Soundtrack Chart, No.4 on iTunes Albums Chart, and No.134 on Billboard 200 Chart.[31]

Criss released a self-produced EP called Human on iTunes in the summer of 2010.[32] It debuted at No. 30 on Billboard's Top Heatseekers Albums[33] and has reached the iTunes Top 20 Alternative charts.[34] He is currently signed with Sony Music Entertainment.[35]

Criss frequently collaborates and performs with fellow Michigan alum, New York-based singer/songwriter Charlene Kaye. He sings on her songs "Skin and Bones"[36] and "Dress and Tie,"[37] and is featured in her music videos for "Skin and Bones,"[38] "Magnolia Wine,"[39] and "Dress and Tie."[40]

Criss has contributed to the Glee soundtrack as lead singer of the "Warblers", an all-male a cappella singing group (all backing vocals and arrangements are done by Tufts University's Beelzebubs). His first song on Glee, "Teenage Dream", hit No.1 on the Billboard Digital Songs chart, selling 214,000 singles in its first week, outselling the original version in its first week of digital sales.[41] It was the first time a Glee Cast track had reached the top spot, and is the show's fastest selling track to date.[42] In July 2011, the song was certified gold for selling over 500,000 copies.[43] Criss followed up with other songs he sang in later episodes: "Baby, It's Cold Outside", "Bills, Bills, Bills", "When I Get You Alone", "Silly Love Songs", "Hey, Soul Sister", "Animal", "Candles", "Misery", "Somewhere Only We Know" and "Raise Your Glass", most of which have reached the top ten on iTunes. The album Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers, released on April 19, 2011, reached No.2 on both the iTunes and Billboard 200 Charts.[44]

Criss is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)[45]

Films

Criss made his feature film debut in Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011).

Criss has also been cast in the upcoming comedy Imogene, which is slated to open in 2013. The film co-stars Kristen Wiig and Annette Bening.[46]

Filmography

Film
Year Film Role Notes
2005 I Adora You Josh Short film, minor role
2009 Walker Phillips Elliott Short film
2011 Glee: The 3D Concert Movie Blaine Anderson / Himself Film debut
Television series
Year Title Role Notes
2009 Eastwick Josh Burton Recurring role, 5 episodes
2010 Cold Case Ruben Harris '69 Episode: "Free Love"
2010–
present 		Glee Blaine Anderson Dorian Award - We're Wilde About You Rising Star Award[47]
Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star[48]
13 episodes
Recurring role (Season 2), Series regular (Season 3)[23][28]
2011 Archer Mikey and Tommy Episode: "Placebo Effect" (voice role)
2011 The Glee Project Himself Episodes: "Individuality", "Pairability", and "Glee-ality"
Theater
Year Title Role Notes
1997 Fanny Cesario[14] 42nd Street Moon Theater Company
1998 Do I Hear a Waltz? Mauro[15] 42nd Street Moon Theater Company
1999 Babes in Arms Beauregard Calhoun[16] 42nd Street Moon Theater Company
2005 The Diary of Anne Frank Peter[49][50] Saint Ignatius College Preparatory
2005 Fiddler on the Roof Tevye[51][52] Saint Ignatius College Preparatory
2009 A Very Potter Musical Harry Potter[34][53][54][55] Lead role
Also songwriter[34][53][54][55]

University of Michigan

2009 Me and My Dick Italian restaurant owner Cameo, voice only
Also songwriter[33][56][57] and guitarist[57]

University of Michigan

2010 A Very Potter Sequel Harry Potter[34][58] Lead role
Also songwriter[34][55][58] and producer

University of Michigan

2011 Starship N/A Songwriter[55]

Hoover-Leppen Theater, Chicago

2012 How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying J. Pierrepont Finch[22][23] Lead role

Broadway

Web series
Year Title Role Notes
2007 Little White Lie Toby Phillips Main role, 8 episodes
Also songwriter and musical producer
2011–
present 		Life of Leopold Leopold Bonar[30] Lead role, voice only
Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2011 Dead or Alive: Dimensions Jann Lee

Music Videos

Discography

Team StarKid

Main article: Team StarKid § Soundtrack albums

Solo

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
Top Heatseekers
[33][35][59]
Human[33][32][34][35][59] 30

Featured with Charlene Kaye

  • "Skin and Bones"[36] (2008) from Things I Will Need in the Past
  • "Dress and Tie"[37] (2011) single

Glee

Main article: Glee Cast discography

Awards

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Title of work Result
2011 Dorian Awards We're Wilde About You Rising Star Award[47] Glee Won
Teen Choice Awards Choice TV: Breakout Star[48] Won
NewNowNext Awards Brink of Fame: Actor[61] Won

References

  1. ^ http://www.teddywing.com/projects/philharmonia/board/ccriss.html
  2. ^ http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/insideLifestyle.htm?f=2010/december/24/lifestyle1.isx&d=2010/december/24
  3. ^ http://www.artsreach.com/2008conferences/2008conference-speakers.html
  4. ^ "Darren Criss: Gleefully Pinoy". Philstar.com. January 14, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  5. ^ "Twitter / Darren Criss: @apresledeluge dude I'm ha". Twitter. July 1, 2010. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  6. ^ "Irish Central".
  7. ^ "Darren Criss – Bio". Darrencriss.snappages.com. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  8. ^ poetic & chic – poetic & chic – A Conversation with Darren Criss of Glee. Poeticandchic.com (January 28, 2011). Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  9. ^ http://www.siprep.org/faculty/mmccarty/nlewinners.htm
  10. ^ http://www.siprep.org/genesis/documents/Genesis05Summer.pdf
  11. ^ McKee, Jenn (October 25, 2010). "Darren Criss, U-M grad and 'Very Potter Musical' star, will be a new face on "Glee"". AnnArbor.com.
  12. ^ "Darren Criss – Bio". Darrencriss.snappages.com. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  13. ^ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=knLGdP1heKA
  14. ^ a b McMahon, Regan (January 4, 2011). "Day in Pictures, December 26, 2000". The San Francisco Chronicle.
  15. ^ a b "Do I Hear a Waltz?". 42ndstmoon.com. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Babes in Arms". 42ndstmoon.com. Retrieved March 1, 2011.
  17. ^ http://www.act-sf.org/site/PageServer?pagename=conservatory_yc
  18. ^ http://www.dell-arte.org/students.php?sub=194
  19. ^ http://www.music.umich.edu/muse/2011/spring/shooting-star.html
  20. ^ Cox, Gordon (May 28, 2011). "Criss launches 'Starship'". Variety.
  21. ^ a b Welcome!. Teamstarkid.com. Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Hetrick, Adam (August 1, 2011). "Darren Criss to Succeed Daniel Radcliffe in Broadway's How to Succeed... for Limited Run". Playbill. Retrieved August 1, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  23. ^ a b c "Glee Star Darren Criss Confirmed to Succeed Daniel Radcliffe on Broadway". Broadway.com. August 1, 2011. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  24. ^ Darren Criss – IMDb
  25. ^ "Is Darren Criss Kurt's New BF on Glee?". Advocate.com. September 27, 2010.
  26. ^ Derschowitz, Jessica (September 27, 2010). "Darren Criss Joins "Glee" Cast". CBSnews.com. Retrieved October 4, 2010.
  27. ^ Bentley, Jean (September 30, 2010). "News Roundup: Ryan Murphy Confirms Chord Overstreet Will Not Play Kurt's Boyfriend..." AOL TV News. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
  28. ^ a b Ausiello, Michael (July 1, 2011). "Glee Exclusive: Darren Criss and Harry Shum Jr. In, Chord Overstreet Out!". TV Line. Mail.com Media. Retrieved July 1, 2011.
  29. ^ That Media Show No.1 Video. Mefeedia.com. Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  30. ^ a b Life Of Leopold. Life Of Leopold. Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  31. ^ Adele's '21' Marks Sixth Week at No. 1 on Billboard 200. Billboard.com (September 14, 2009). Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  32. ^ a b "Human by Darren Criss".
  33. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference Billboard2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  34. ^ a b c d e f Milam, Whitney (July 24, 2010). Team StarKid tops Glee and Gaga on iTunes, talks new projects. HollywoodNews.
  35. ^ a b c 'Glee's Darren Criss Signs Record Deal with Sony. Hollywood.com (April 18, 2011). Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  36. ^ a b "Skin and Bones – Charlene Kaye feat. Darren Criss on iTunes".
  37. ^ a b "Dresss and Tie (feat. Darren Criss) – Single on iTunes".
  38. ^ a b "Charlene Kaye – Skin and Bones music video".
  39. ^ a b "Charlene Kaye – Magnolia Wine music video".
  40. ^ a b "Charlene Kaye ft. Darren Criss - Dress and Tie music video".
  41. ^ Darren Criss Admits He's 'Insane' These Days, Sees 'Sincerity' in 'Crazy' 'Glee' Fan Base – A Day in the Life – AOL Music Blog. Blog.music.aol.com (May 2, 2011). Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  42. ^ Lee, Joyce (November 19, 2010). ""Glee" Hits No.1 on Charts with "Teenage Dream" Cover". CBS News.
  43. ^ http://www.mynewsletterbuilder.com/email/newsletter/1410945093
  44. ^ 'Glee' Warblers Album Confirmed for April 19 Release. Billboard.com (September 14, 2009). Retrieved on June 20, 2011.
  45. ^ http://www.ascap.com/playback/2010/12/new_member/Criss.aspx
  46. ^ http://marquee.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/02/in-the-industry-wilde-will-play-a-mom-criss-to-kiss-wiig/
  47. ^ a b Kilday, Gregg (January 18, 2011). "'Glee,' 'I Am Love' Score Dorian Awards". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved January 25, 2011.
  48. ^ a b Mitovich, Matt Webb (July 19, 2011). "Little Liars, Switched at Birth Lead Latest Teen Choice Nods; Darren Criss Up for Breakout Star". TV Line. Mail.com Media. Retrieved August 1, 2011.
  49. ^ http://darrencriss.com.br/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=161
  50. ^ http://www.reelaccess.com/talent/darrencriss/
  51. ^ http://www.siprep.org/genesis/documents/Genesis05Summer.pdf
  52. ^ http://darrencriss.com.br/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=160
  53. ^ a b Guerra, Jennifer (July 15, 2009). "A Very Potter Musical!". Michigan Radio. Retrieved October 16, 2010.
  54. ^ a b "Team StarKid's Home Page for ""A Very Potter Musical""".
  55. ^ a b c d Davenport, Misha (February 2011). "Darren Criss from 'Glee,' Starkid launch Chicago home with 'Starship'". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved February 10, 2011.
  56. ^ Caulfield, Keith. "'My Dick' Rises to Become First Charting Student Musical" Billboard.com, March 18, 2010. Retrieved on November 4, 2010.
  57. ^ a b "Team StarKid's Home Page for "Me and My Dick"".
  58. ^ a b "Team StarKid's Home Page for "A Very Potter Sequel"".
  59. ^ a b Smith, Grady (July 30, 2010). "'A Very Potter Musical' star Darren Criss talks about his new EP and the future for Team StarKid". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved July 26, 2011. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  60. ^ "Glee: The Music, Vol. 6: Credits". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
  61. ^ http://www.logotv.com/events/newnownext_awards/2011/categories/brink-of-fame-actor/

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