Darren Criss, a name that resonates with fans of the hit TV show “Glee”, has made a significant impact in the world of entertainment. With his multi-talented skills, Criss has captivated audiences on stage, screen, and in the music industry.
Early Life and Upbringing
Born on February 5, 1987, in San Francisco, California, Darren Everett Criss is of Filipino and European descent. His mother, a native of Cebu, Philippines, is of Chinese, Filipino, and Spanish descent, while his father, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was of English, German, and Irish descent. Criss was raised primarily in San Francisco, apart from 1988 to 1992, when the family resided in Honolulu, Hawaii.
He attended Roman Catholic schools and completed his elementary education at Stuart Hall for Boys, later graduating from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 2005. In 2009, Criss obtained his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan, majoring in Theater Performance and minoring in Musicology and Italian.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Darren Everett Criss |
| Nickname | D.C. |
| Alternative Names(s) (also known as) | Blaine Anderson (Glee) Andrew Cunanan (The Assassination of Gianni Versace) |
| Date of Birth | February 5, 1987 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 37 |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Zodiac Sign | Aquarius |
| Nationality | American |
| Birthplace | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Hometown | San Francisco, California, U.S. |
| Current Address | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Education Qualification | Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan |
| Hobbies and Interests | Music, theater, writing, traveling, cooking |
| Languages Known | English, Italian, French, Spanish |
| Social Media Profiles link (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) | Facebook Instagram Twitter |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Stats | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Slim |
| Body Measurements (Chest – Waist – Hips) | 38-30-35 inches |
| Height in feet, inches, cm | 5’8″, 173 cm |
| Weight in lbs, kg | 152 lbs, 69 kg |
| Chest | 38 inches |
| Waist | 30 inches |
| Biceps | 13 inches |
| Eye Colour | Hazel |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Hairstyle | Short and wavy |
| Distinctive Features | Sharp jawline, dimpled smile |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Girlfriend/Wife, Affairs
Criss’s family has shown an interest in the arts. His father has been known to serve as a patron of the arts, and his brother, Charles “Chuck” Criss, is a member of the band Freelance Whales. On a personal front, Criss has been married to Mia Swier since February 16, 2019.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Wife | Mia Criss |
| Father | Charles William Criss |
| Mother | Cerina Criss |
| Children | Bluesy Belle Criss |
| Siblings | Chuck Criss |
| Affairs – Girlfriend(s) | Mia Swier |
| Significant Relationships | Lea Michele |
Rise to Stardom
Criss rose to fame starring on the television series Glee (2010–2015) and received Emmy and Golden Globe acting awards for his leading role as spree killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018). He has also appeared on Broadway and in film and has released several musical albums.
Darren Criss – Debut Film – I Adora You (2005)
Darren Criss – Successful Film – Midway (2019)
Career , Awards, and Achievements
Criss’s portrayal of spree killer Andrew Cunanan in “The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story” earned him an Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries, or Television Film.
He has also starred on Broadway as a replacement in both “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”.
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actor, singer, songwriter |
| Debut Film | I Adora You (2005) |
| Notable Roles | Blaine Anderson (Glee), Andrew Cunanan (The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story), Harry Potter (A Very Potter Musical) |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Superman: Man of Tomorrow (2020), Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (2019), Midway (2019) |
| Upcoming Films | Masquerade, The Prince of Fashion |
| Popular Television Series | Glee, The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Hollywood, Royalties |
| Awards and Achievements | Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, Critics’ Choice Award, Dorian Award, Teen Choice Award, Hollywood Music in Media Award |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | AT&T, Nintendo, Coca-Cola, Old Navy, Gap, Tommy Hilfiger |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | The Trevor Project, Musicians on Call, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, UNICEF, Nothing But Nets |
| Professional Associations | StarKid Productions, Computer Games, Elsie Fest |
| Training and Education | Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan |
| Production Company | Random Forest |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Girl Most Likely, The Wind Rises, Midway |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Hollywood, Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $5 million |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | $40,000-$74,999 |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | Varies by project |
| Sponsorship Deals | The Motley , Levi’s , Hazbin Hotel |
| Business Ventures | StarKid Productions , Elsie Fest , Computer Games |
| Investments | EastWest Bank , Raw Materials |
| Real Estate Holdings | Hollywood Hills home , Los Feliz pad |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Rolex watch , vintage clothing , piano |
| Cars Collection | Tesla Model X , Lamborghini Aventador , Racing Hall of Fame Collection |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Tom Hanks |
| Favorite Actress | Meryl Streep |
| Favorite Film | The Princess Bride |
| Favorite Music Bands | Freelance Whales, The Beatles, Radiohead |
| Favorite Sport | Baseball |
| Favorite Books | Harry Potter series, The Catcher in the Rye, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy |
| Favorite Color | Purple |
| Favorite Food | Sushi, pizza, Filipino dishes |
| Things s/he like | Being Filipino, Christmas songs, musical theater |
| Things s/he dislike | Homophobia, transphobia, the British press |
Top 5 Best Films – Darren Criss
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
| Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One | 2024 | Earth-2 Superman, Superman |
| Justice Society: World War II | 2021 | N/A |
| Midway | 2019 | N/A |
| Batman vs. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles | 2019 | N/A |
| All You Ever Wished For | 2018 | N/A |
Controversies – Darren Criss
- Criss faced criticism for a recent interview in which he seemed to imply that he would rather not be identified as Asian American.
- He was part of the ongoing debate over whether straight, cisgender actors should take LGBTQ roles.
- Criss became a target of criticism for taking on queer roles in the Ryan Murphy-verse.
- He was considered problematic for some comments that could be considered homophobic/transphobic in the past.
- Criss was criticized for his close friendship with Lea Michele.
Interesting Facts – Darren Criss
- Criss is multi-lingual and can speak English, Spanish, Tagalog, and Italian.
- He began playing violin at just five years old, showing early signs of his musical talents.
- Criss gained fame through his viral Harry Potter musical parody on YouTube.
- He played the lead role of Hedwig in the Broadway production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”.
- Criss is a co-founder of the theater company StarKid Productions.
- He released his debut solo album, “Homework”, in 2020.
In conclusion, Darren Criss’s journey from a young boy with a passion for music and theater to a renowned Hollywood actor is truly inspiring. His diverse talents, dedication, and hard work have made him a prominent figure in the entertainment industry.
His story serves as a testament to the fact that with perseverance and passion, one can achieve great heights in their chosen field.
