Darren Criss

Darren Criss – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

: Explore the journey of Darren Criss — from his theater roots and viral hits to Glee, Versace, Broadway success, and his words that inspire.

Introduction

Darren Everett Criss (born February 5, 1987) is an American actor, singer, songwriter, and performer who has become a multifaceted force in entertainment. Glee and his award-winning portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, Criss combines musical passion, theatrical chops, and a commitment to authenticity. Over time, he’s expanded his influence into Broadway, music, and festival production, all while earning respect for his artistic integrity.

Early Life and Family

Darren Criss was born in San Francisco, California, the youngest child of Cerina and Charles William Criss. Freelance Whales) and shared a creative path with Darren.

When Darren was a child, the family spent several years in Honolulu before returning to San Francisco.

Education and Formative Years

Darren attended Catholic schools (Stuart Hall for Boys, then St. Ignatius College Preparatory) where he was active in performing arts programs. University of Michigan, graduating in 2009 with a BFA. Basement Arts and student theater productions, gaining practice in acting, directing, and musical performance.

These experiences allowed Criss to blend musical and theatrical training, preparing him for a career that would straddle both worlds.

Career and Achievements

Beginnings & StarKid Productions

Even before widespread fame, Darren began performing. At around age 10, he made his professional stage debut (in Fanny with 42nd Street Moon).

While in college, he co-founded StarKid Productions (also known as Team StarKid), a musical theater group known for viral, parody musicals on YouTube. A Very Potter Musical and contributed as a composer and lyricist for their works. This combination of creative roles showcased early that he would not just perform but also shape projects from the inside.

Breakthrough on Glee

Darren’s major public breakthrough came when he joined Glee (2010–2015) as Blaine Anderson.

He also contributed musically to Glee — composing songs like “Rise” and "This Time,” the latter for the series finale. Primetime Emmy for writing “This Time.”

Expansion: Screen, Music & Stage

After Glee, Darren expanded into more dramatic roles. Notably, he starred as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story (2018). Primetime Emmy Award (Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie) and a Golden Globe.

In music, he launched his indie pop band Computer Games (with his brother) in 2017, releasing albums and singles. Human (July 20, 2010) — described as “soul-folk” — which peaked at No. 17 on Billboard’s Heatseekers chart.

On stage, Criss has performed on Broadway and off. He replaced Daniel Radcliffe for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and took on the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2015). His stage work continues to reinforce his versatility across acting, singing, and theatrical styles.

Additionally, Darren co-founded Elsie Fest, a New York City outdoor festival celebrating music from stage and screen.

Recent Milestones & Tony Wins

In 2025, Darren Criss made theatre history by winning his first Tony Award — Best Actor in a Musical for Maybe Happy Ending. Best Musical. first Asian American actor to win in that leading musical category.

These accolades further cement his presence across television, stage, and music.

Historical & Cultural Context

Darren Criss’s career unfolds in an era when media boundaries blur: television, streaming, musical theatre, and viral Internet content coexist. He has navigated these crosscurrents effectively — using digital platforms early (StarKid YouTube musicals), mainstream television for wider exposure (Glee), and later pivoting into prestige drama and Broadway.

His Filipino heritage and multiethnic background place him among a generation of artists broadening representation in mainstream U.S. media. In that sense, his success contributes to shifting norms about who can anchor major roles in popular culture.

His work in Glee with LGBTQ+ representation, and later his public reflections on queer culture, positions him as part of broader dialogues about identity, visibility, and allyship in contemporary entertainment.

Personality, Style & Artistic Philosophy

• Versatility & Multidisciplinarity: Darren thrives across genres — pop, theater, TV drama, jazz standards. He refuses to be boxed in.

• Work Ethic & Ambition: He is famously persistent and goal-oriented. As he once said, “I’m very specific and ambitious in plotting out my goals and never take no for an answer — so it’s not like things just fall in my lap.”

• Grounded Authenticity: He often reflects on self-image, perception, and the gap between public persona and private self: “I’m this goofball. I look at myself in the mirror, and the person that I know doesn’t match up to what I think people love to perceive me as.”

• Passion for Music: Darren frequently emphasizes that music is his backbone: “As a musician, I hear the harmonic value of everything — I just enjoy music.”

• Artistry in All Things: He has noted his belief that artistry can be found everywhere — from a lawn gnome to a symphony — suggesting his creative lens is wide.

Memorable Quotes

Here are some of Darren Criss’s most resonant quotes:

“When you’re an artist, you have to hope for everything and expect nothing.”

“I’m very specific and ambitious in plotting out my goals and never take no for an answer — so it’s not like things just fall in my lap.”

“I’m this goofball. I look at myself in the mirror, and the person that I know doesn’t match up to what I think people love to perceive me as.”

“As a musician, I hear the harmonic value of everything — I just enjoy music.”

“Theater is a living creature. It takes a while to break in, like a new pair of shoes.”

“It’s always important to recognize your situation and not take it for granted.”

“I have an unabashed adoration of cheesy pop music.”

“There’s art in absolutely everything from a lawn gnome to a desk chair to a symphony to an Andy Warhol painting.”

These lines reflect his humility, creative spirit, and willingness to embrace imperfection.

Lessons from Darren Criss

1. Diversify your craft — Darren’s success stems from not limiting himself to one medium; he moves fluidly between music, theater, and screen.

2. Earn your roles creatively — rather than waiting, he co-founded projects (StarKid) to build visibility and creative control.

3. Stay grounded even with success — he continually reflects on perception vs. reality, reminding himself and fans of his humanity.

4. Value process over fame — he often privileges doing meaningful work over chasing celebrity.

5. Champions of representation — through choices in roles and public statements, he supports broader visibility and inclusive storytelling.

Conclusion

Darren Criss is not just a performer but a polymath artist whose career spans theater, music, and dramatic acting. He built his path with intention, self-initiated projects, and a dedication to his craft. His voice — both in performance and in public reflection — continues to resonate with fans who see in him a creative spirit unafraid to balance authenticity and ambition.