Darren Criss

Early life and education

Criss was born in San Francisco, California, the youngest child of Cerina and Charles William Criss, an investment banker and a patron of the arts. He had an older brother, Charles "Chuck" Criss, who was a member of the band Freelance Whales. 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, where his father started EastWest Bank, serving as chairman and CEO. Criss says that while living in San Francisco, he faked a British accent for four years since he had told a woman that he was from Britain and the woman, unbeknownst to him, lived close to his parents' house.

Criss attended Catholic schools. He completed his elementary education at Stuart Hall for Boys, and later graduated from St. Ignatius College Preparatory in 2005. In 2009, Criss obtained his bachelor of fine arts from the University of Michigan, majoring in theatre performance and minoring in musicology and Italian.

Musical and theatrical training

Criss' interest in music started in early childhood; at age five, he began taking violin lessons and was classically trained for the next fifteen years. Criss taught himself how to play other instruments, including guitar, piano, mandolin, harmonica, and drums. In high school, Criss immersed himself in music – he held the position of concertmaster in the school orchestra, he fronted his own band, and was voted "most likely to win a Grammy" by his peers. When he was fifteen, Criss began learning music composition and wrote his first song, which he later used as the title track of his first EP Human, released in 2009.

Criss also showed an interest for the performing arts. At age ten, he was accepted into the American Conservatory Theater (Young Conservatory program) where he studied theater performance throughout his formative years. At St. Ignatius, he was a member of the performing arts program and acted in work, including, The Music Man, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Fiddler on the Roof. He was active as both an actor and director in the University of Michigan's student-run theater organization Basement Arts. In 2008, he spent a semester abroad studying Italian theater at the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy.

Career

1997–2009: Theatre debut, StarKids Productions

Criss made his professional stage debut at the age of ten as Cesario in 42nd Street Moon's production of Fanny (1997), then played Mauro in the Richard Rodgers and Stephen Sondheim musical Do I Hear a Waltz? (1998), and Beauregard Calhoun in Babes in Arms (1999). Throughout his adolescence, Criss appeared in a number of the American Conservatory Theater's plays, notably A Christmas Carol, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and The Voysey Inheritance.

At the University of Michigan, he performed in stage productions such as Pride and Prejudice, A Few Good Men, and The Cripple of Inishmaan. Criss began his solo music career while attending the University of Michigan. Playing in small venues, he developed his own musical repertoire which today consists of standards from the Great American Songbook, contemporary songs, Disney songs, and his own compositions. Criss started his television career with a five-episode arc playing the character of Josh Burton on Eastwick in 2009. The following year, he appeared in an episode of the series Cold Case.

Upon receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2009, Criss, along with some friends and classmates from the University of Michigan, co-founded StarKid Productions, a musical theater company. His most prominent acting role with StarKid has been that of Harry Potter in the musical comedies A Very Potter Musical, A Very Potter Sequel, and A Very Potter Senior Year (based on the Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling). Criss is credited as one of the primary songwriters and composers for StarKid Productions. He has contributed songs to A Very Potter Musical, Me and My Dick (which became the first-ever student-produced college musical to reach Billboard, debuting at number 11 on the Top Cast Albums chart), Little White Lie, and A Very Potter Senior Year. Subsequently, Criss solely composed all the songs and music for A Very Potter Sequel, its companion album A Very StarKid Album, and Starship, which landed at number one on the Billboard Top Cast Albums chart, and at number 134 on the Billboard 200 chart.

2010–2015: Breakthrough with ''Glee''

''Glee''

Criss portrayed Blaine Anderson, on the Fox television series Glee. He made his first appearance in season two in the episode "Never Been Kissed", which aired on November 9, 2010. Blaine attended Dalton Academy and was lead singer of its glee club, The Dalton Academy Warblers. His first performance, "Teenage Dream" by Katy Perry, was featured on the soundtrack album Glee: The Music, Volume 4. It reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 in the week ending November 27, 2010, and number one on the Billboard Digital Songs chart. It was the best-selling song in the US that week, selling 214,000 copies, the largest figure for a Glee title. It was only the second US-certified gold single in the show's history.

Both Billboard Jillian Mapes and Erica Futterman of Rolling Stone deemed "Teenage Dream" the best song of "Never Been Kissed", the episode in which it featured. The New York Daily News Anthony Benigno gave the song an "A", and noted that it was "flawless" and improved on Perry's original. The performance was nominated for the Best Gay Moment of the Year and Favorite Music Video awards at the 2010 AfterElton.com Visibility Awards. A Billboard cover-feature on Criss noted that the performance "arguably ushered in the trend of more current pop hits being reworked by the [Glee] cast."

Later songs performed by Blaine and the Warblers became popular enough to warrant a Warbler soundtrack album, Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers. It debuted at No. 2 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 1 on Billboard Soundtracks chart, selling 86,000 copies in its first week. The Warbler tracks had sold over 1.3 million copies as singles by the time the album was released.

Blaine initially served as a friend and mentor for Kurt, the bullied gay member of the Warblers' rival glee club, New Directions. Chemistry between the two characters, combined with fan support for the potential couple, led series co-creator Ryan Murphy to pair them romantically onscreen. At the beginning of the third season, Blaine transfers to McKinley High and joins New Directions; concurrently, Criss was promoted from recurring guest star to the show's main cast. In the subsequent seasons, Blaine goes off to college and later returns to Dalton to become the vocal director of the Warblers. From May 21 – July 3, 2011, Criss and the cast of Glee performed in Glee Live! In Concert!, touring the US, Canada, England, and Ireland. According to Billboard, it was the 16th most successful concert tour of 2011, grossing more than $40 million, with total attendance topping 485,000. All 40 dates sold out, including shows at Staples Center, Nassau Coliseum, and The O2 Arenas in London and Dublin.

In the final season, he marries his long-time love, Kurt. Discussing public response to his character, Criss stated that he particularly enjoyed comments from "people from parts of the world who are maybe not as exposed to certain ideologies", but had reconsidered their stance on relationships and human rights as a result of the Blaine and Kurt storyline. He called this response "phenomenal" and said, "I was a straight kid growing up in a very gay community and it's something that I've had to watch so many friends have to struggle with and have no place to go to identify in kind of a grander media culture. To be a small piece of that machine is incredibly wonderful." Criss composed "Rise" for the episode "The Rise and Fall of Sue Sylvester" and "This Time" for the series finale. Criss was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics for writing "This Time".

Other work

On July 20, 2010, Criss released an independently produced EP called Human. Describing his album as "soul-folk" to Entertainment Weekly, it peaked at No. 17 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers Albums chart. On December 10, 2010, Criss became the 400,000th member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP). In April 2011, he signed with Sony Music Entertainment. He is in the process of recording a full-length studio album, with a release date yet to be determined. In November 2011, Criss participated in StarKid's first national concert tour, The SPACE Tour, for the New York and Boston shows, and, in the summer of 2012, he joined them again for their second national tour, Apocalyptour, for the Los Angeles and New York shows.

In January 2012, Criss made 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 three-week engagement at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre. His stint there proved to be a success: apart from Daniel Radcliffe's final week, the musical had the three most lucrative weeks of its 11-month run with Criss in the lead role, grossing more than four million dollars. Criss made his feature film debut in the comedy Girl Most Likely. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and was released nationwide on July 19, 2013. Previously titled Imogene, the film starred Kristen Wiig, Annette Bening, and Matt Dillon.

In January 2013, Criss performed for US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and Vice President Joe Biden at the inaugural balls of the 57th Presidential Inauguration. During a benefit concert for public school arts on April 14, 2013, Criss was made an honorary member of Yale University's a cappella singing group The Whiffenpoofs. Criss' first solo music tour visited 17 cities in the United States, Canada, and France from May 29 – June 30, 2013, and included songs from Glee, StarKid, his Human EP, and new material from his upcoming solo album.

2016–present: Continued success

Criss took on the role of Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch from April 29, 2015, to July 19, 2015, at the Belasco Theater. He headlined the national tour in San Francisco and Los Angeles, from October 2 to November 27, 2016.

In 2017, Criss reunited with Glee creator Ryan Murphy to portray serial killer Andrew Cunanan in the second season of Murphy's anthology series American Crime Story. His performance received widespread acclaim from critics, and earned Criss the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film. Criss formed the indie pop band Computer Games with his brother, Chuck Criss the same year. Their first album, Lost Boys Life EP features four songs written by the duo. The lead single "Every Single Night" debuted at number two on Billboards Hot Singles Sales chart. In December 2017, Criss released a five-track solo EP titled Homework. The EP debuted atop the Billboard Heatseekers Chart and at number seven on Billboards Independent Albums chart.

Criss was an actor, executive producer, and creator for Royalties, a show on the streaming service Quibi. He worked with previous collaborators Matt and Nick Lang of Team StarKid, who co-wrote and produced the series. The show was released on June 1, 2020. On September 6, 2019, it was announced that Criss would be an actor and executive producer for Hollywood, released on Netflix on May 1, 2020. In October 2021, Criss portrayed The Caretaker in Muppets Haunted Mansion.

In March 2021, singer Brandy released the single "Starting Now", which Criss co-wrote. The song was featured in Disney Princess Remixed — An Ultimate Princess Celebration, a music special that will also feature other princesses, premiering August 2021 on the Disney Channel and Disney+. On October 8, 2021, Criss released his first Christmas-themed album through Decca Records. In December 2022, Criss went on a Christmas-themed tour across the U.S. with songs from the album. From April 14 to July 10, 2022, he performed in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo alongside Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne. Criss has starred in the Broadway production of Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theatre since November 2024. He exited the show for nine weeks starting in August 2025 and returned in November 2025. He is also a producer of the show.

Media appearances

Criss has appeared on the magazine covers of Billboard, Entertainment Weekly, Out, Playbill, TV Guide, Da Man, GT, Prestige, and Essential Homme. Criss is featured in the fall ad campaign (2011) for Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing line. Criss was named one of Peoples Sexiest Men Alive (2011), and was ranked No. 1 on AfterElton's "Hot 100" list (2011 & 2012), and No. 1 on GQ "30 Under 30: The Most Stylish Young Men In Hollywood" list (2012).

Other projects

Criss is an investor and partner of The Motley, a California-based men's grooming e-tailer. Criss is a co-founder of Elsie Fest, a music festival which features Broadway and pop music acts. The first annual show was held on September 27, 2015, in New York City.

Advocacy and charity work

Criss is an advocate for LGBTQ rights and is an active supporter of The Trevor Project, the leading national organization focused on suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth. Criss is the recipient of Variety Power of Youth Philanthropy award for his contributions to The Trevor Project.

Criss has been a spokesperson for various organizations, including Rock the Vote and the Foundation for New American Musicals.

Criss recorded the Bob Dylan song "New Morning", featuring his brother, Chuck Criss, for Amnesty International. It was part of the compilation album Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International, released on January 24, 2012.

Criss has performed at various charity benefits including American Conservatory Theater, AIDS Project Los Angeles, New Conservatory Theatre Center, Toys for Tots, City of Hope National Medical Center, Motion Picture & Television Fund, Public School Arts, MusiCares Foundation, The Old Vic, UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Young Storytellers Foundation, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

Personal life

In January 2018, Criss announced he was engaged to Mia Swier, his girlfriend of seven and a half years. They married on February 16, 2019. The couple's first child, a daughter, was born in April 2022. Their second child, a son, was born in June 2024.

Filmography

Film

Television

Theatre

Video games

Web

Musical performances

Discography

;Solo

• A Very Darren Crissmas (2021)

;EPs

• Human (2010)
• Homework (2017)
• Masquerade (2021)

;Glee albums Main article: Glee discography

• Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 4 (2010)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 5 (2011)
• Glee: The Music Presents the Warblers (2011)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 6 (2011)
• Glee: The 3D Concert Movie (2011)
• Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 2 (2011)
• Glee: The Music, Volume 7 (2011)
• Glee: The Music, The Graduation Album (2012)
• Glee: The Music, Season 4, Volume 1 (2012)
• Glee: The Music, The Christmas Album Volume 3 (2012)
• Glee Sings the Beatles (2013)
• Glee: The Music – Celebrating 100 Episodes (2013)

StarKid Productions albums

• Little White Lie (2009)
• A Very Potter Musical (2009)
• Me and My Dick (A New Musical) (2010)
• A Very StarKid Album (2010)
• A Very Potter Sequel (2010)
• Starship (2011)
• The SPACE Tour (2012)
• Apocalyptour (2012)
• A Very StarKid Senior Year (2012)

Independent songs

• "Skin and Bones" – Duet with Charlene Kaye – Things I Will Need in the Past (album) (2008)
• "Dress and Tie" – Duet with Charlene Kaye (2011)
• "New Morning" – Chimes of Freedom: Songs of Bob Dylan Honoring 50 Years of Amnesty International (album) (2012)

Computer Games

• Lost Boys Life (2017)

Music videos

• "Skin and Bones" – Charlene Kaye (2009)
• "Magnolia Wine" – Charlene Kaye (2009)
• "Roll with Me" – Montgomery Gentry (2009)
• '"Dress and Tie" – Charlene Kaye (2011)
• "Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)" – Katy Perry (2011)
• "New Morning" – Amnesty International (2012)
• "Dress You Up" – Vogue "Fashion Night Out" (2012)
• "Kangaroo Court" – Capital Cities (2013)
• "Songify the News 3" — The Gregory Brothers (2013)
• "I Sold My Bed, But Not My Stereo" – Capital Cities (2014)
• "Already Home" — A Great Big World (2014)
• "Anthem" — Phantom Planet featuring Darren Criss (2020)

Tours and residencies

;Headlining tours

• Listen Up! Tour (2013)

;Co-headlining tours

• Glee Live! In Concert! (2011)
• LM/DC Tour (2018) (with Lea Michele)

;Residencies

• A Very Darren Crissmas (2022)

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

References

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2. "Darren Criss – New Songs, Playlists & Latest News – BBC Music".
3. "The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story".
4. (June 8, 2025). "Darren Criss Is the First Asian Actor to Win Leading Actor in a Musical". Playbill.
5. (June 9, 2025). "Darren Criss Is a Two-Time Tony Winner". Theatermania.
6. (July 22, 2013). "Exclusive Video Premiere: 'Will I See You Again,' Chuck Criss". [[Interview (magazine).
7. (April 14, 2015). "Darren Criss and his Dream-Come-True Broadway Return in Hedwig and the Angry Inch".
8. "Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra: C. William Criss, Chair, Development Committee Cornerstone Campaign Committee". Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra.
9. Harris, Scarlette. (January 7, 2026). "Finding Your Roots S12E1 American Dreams & Immigrant Journeys Revealed (America Ferera and Darren Criss) By PBS News (Time-Stamp; 52:18)".
10. "Glee star Darren Criss visits his mom's homeland, the Philippines!".
11. Pereira, Alyssa. (March 2, 2018). "SF native Darren Criss says one dumb lie forced him to fake a British accent for four years".
12. Kloepfer, Sara. (December 12, 2010). "Darren Criss, former Stuart Hall for Boys student, finds role on 'Glee{{'-}}". The Broadview.
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18. . ["Inside SI"](http://www.siprep.org/uploaded/Inside_SI/Inside_SI_Issue_5_2010.pdf). *St. Ignatius College Preparatory*.
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24. Halley, Rhiannon. (April 8, 2009). "How self-produced productions thrive on campus".
25. "Accademia dell'Arte website".
26. McMahon, Regan. (January 4, 2011). "Darren Criss of 'Glee' dazzles La Honda theater camp". The San Francisco Chronicle.
27. "Do I Hear a Waltz?". 42ndstmoon.com.
28. "Babes in Arms". 42nd St. Moon.
29. Levin, Ken. (December 16, 2010). "42nd Street Moon: A Glee – ful experience with Babes in Arms".
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32. "Imogene, Starring Darren Criss & Kristen Wiig, Gets U.S. Distribution". Broadway.com.
33. Shekhar Pandey, Kavi. (November 2, 2011). "The StarKids Are All Right: The rise of a 'U' theater troupe from the Basement to the national stage". [[The Michigan Daily]].
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37. Caulfield, Keith. "'My Dick' Rises To Become First Charting Student Musical".
38. "Darren Criss". FOX Broadcasting Company.
39. Derschowitz, Jessica. (September 27, 2010). "Darren Criss Joins "Glee" Cast". CBS News.
40. Bentley, Jean. (November 3, 2010). "{{-'}}Glee: The Music, Volume 4' Track listing Released". HuffPost TV.
41. "Hot 100: Week of November 27, 2010 (Biggest Jump)".
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43. "RIAA Gold & Platinum". [[Recording Industry Association of America]].
44. Mapes, Jillian. (November 10, 2010). "{{-'}}Glee' Cast Shines With Katy Perry's 'Teenage Dream{{'-}}".
45. Futterman, Erica. (November 10, 2010). "{{-'}}Glee' Playback: Chris Colfer Outshines the Music in 'Never Been Kissed{{'-}}".
46. Benigno, Anthony. (November 10, 2010). "{{-'}}Glee' recap: 'Never Been Kissed' introduces Darren Criss and gives Dot Jones her first kiss". [[New York Daily News]].
47. AfterElton.com Staff. (December 20, 2010). "The AfterElton.com 2010 Visibility Awards – Winners". [[Logo (TV channel).
48. Herrera, Monica. (April 15, 2011). "{{-'}}Glee's' Darren Criss: The Billboard Cover Story".
49. Tyler, Elizabeth. (March 8, 2011). "''Glee''{{'s}} Dalton Warblers to Release Their Very Own Album".
50. Caulfield, Keith. (April 27, 2011). "{{-'}}Glee' Warblers Album Flies High on Billboard 200".
51. "Soundtracks: Week of May 7, 2011".
52. Dinh, James. (March 23, 2011). "{{-'}}Glee' News: Warblers Album Tracklisting And Artwork Revealed!". MTV.
53. Reiter, Amy. (September 21, 2011). "{{-'}}Glee' recap: Back to school (and basics) in the Season 3 premiere". Los Angeles Times.
54. "25 Top Tours of 2011".
55. Jensen, Michael. (January 18, 2011). "Interview: Darren Criss Humbly Calls Himself "Last Grain of Sand"". [[Logo (TV channel).
56. (March 2, 2015). "A Glee Star Wrote an Original Song for the Shows". [[Glamour (magazine).
57. (July 20, 2010). "Human by Darren Criss".
58. Smith, Grady. "'A Very Potter Musical' star Darren Criss talks about his new EP and the future for Team StarKid".
59. (December 20, 2010). "Hot Glee Star and New ASCAP Member Darren Criss Talks Songwriting and Performs a Holiday Classic". [[American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers]].
60. Lawrence, Hannah. (April 18, 2011). "{{-'}}Glee's Darren Criss Signs Record Deal with Sony". [[Hollywood.com]].
61. Halperin, Shirley. (July 18, 2011). "Ron Fair's Next Moves: A&R Gig on 'The Voice'; Front Line Management Consultancy; Darren Criss Album". HuffPost.
62. Votta, Rae. "Inside Darren Criss' Team StarKid: From 'A Very Potter Musical' to SPACE Tour".
63. Votta, Rae. "Day in the Life: Team StarKid (Featuring Darren Criss)".
64. "Glee Star Darren Criss Begins Run in 'How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying'". Broadway.com.
65. Geier, Thom. "Darren Criss becomes Broadway's $4 million man".
66. Bahr, Lindsey. "Kristen Wiig comedy 'Girl Most Likely' gets July release date".
67. Young, Deborah. (September 7, 2012). "Imogene: Toronto Review". The Hollywood Reporter.
68. "Darren rehearses before Kid's Inaugural Concert". Darren Criss Official Website.
69. Parker, Valerie. (April 15, 2013). "Darren Criss – Teenage Dream, Rainbow Connection, and the Whiffenpoof Alumni Song". YouTube.
70. "Darren performs with the Yale Whiffenpoofs at PS Arts Benefit Concert". Darren Criss Official Website.
71. Goldberg, Lesley. (April 23, 2013). "'Glee's' Darren Criss Sets Summer Concert Tour". The Hollywood Reporter.
72. "Darren Criss, la star de GLEE en concert le 17 Juin à Paris au Nouveau Casino!". Live Nation France.
73. (February 17, 2015). "Darren Criss Will Return to Broadway as the Next Hedwig".
74. Cox, Gordon. (May 9, 2016). "Darren Criss to Star in National Tour of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'".
75. Andreeva, Nellie. (February 15, 2017). "Edgar Ramirez & Darren Criss To Star In 'Versace: American Crime Story' On FX".
76. "American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace (2018)". [[Rotten Tomatoes]].
77. "Darren Criss & Brother Chuck Talk New, 'Unapologetically Fun' Alt-Pop Project, Computer Games".
78. "Video: Darren Criss Performs 'I Dreamed A Dream' Live on TODAY".
79. "Darren Criss to Release 'Homework' EP, First Solo Project in Over Seven Years".
80. "Chart History".
81. "Darren Criss Chart History".
82. Petski, Denise. (July 10, 2019). "Darren Criss To Topline Quibi Musical Comedy Series 'Royalties'".
83. Thorne, Will. (July 10, 2019). "Darren Criss to Star in, Executive Produce Musical Comedy Series at Quibi".
84. [https://collider.com/darren-criss-muppet-haunted-mansion-disney-plus/ Darren Criss Cast as the Caretaker in Disney+'s 'Muppet Haunted Mansion' Special] August 31, 2021
85. Folk, Antwane. (May 21, 2021). "Brandy Is Our Forever Princess on New Song 'Starting Now'".
86. Hamm, Ken. (May 21, 2021). "Brandy Is The Ultimate Disney Princess On 'Starting Now'".
87. Duong, Paul. (May 21, 2021). "Brandy 'Starting Now'".
88. ""Starting Now"". [[iTunes]].
89. "7 days 'til "Starting Now" drops". [[Twitter]].
90. "Starting Now out 5/21 @disney #UltimatePrincessCelebration".
91. Bernabe, Angeline Jane. (April 27, 2021). "Disney's 'Ultimate Princess Celebration' features Brandy, Kelly Marie Tran and more". [[Good Morning America]].
92. "Darren Criss To Kick Off The Holiday Season With Special iHeartLand Show".
93. Gans, Andrew. (October 8, 2021). "Darren Criss Will Launch Holiday Concert Tour in December". Playbill.
94. "American Buffalo Revival, Starring Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell, and Darren Criss, Will Open on Broadway in 2022".
95. "American Buffalo".
96. Roundups, Review. "Review Roundup: AMERICAN BUFFALO Opens on Broadway Starring Darren Criss, Sam Rockwell, and Laurence Fishburne".
97. "Maybe Happy Ending Opens on Broadway November 12".
98. King, Darryn. (November 5, 2025). "Darren Criss Boots Up Again in Maybe Happy Ending Tonight".
99. Culwell-Block, Logan. [https://playbill.com/article/andrew-barth-feldman-will-co-star-with-offstage-girlfriend-helen-j-shen-in-broadways-maybe-happy-ending "Andrew Barth Feldman Will Co-Star with Offstage Girlfriend Helen J Shen in Broadway's ''Maybe Happy Ending''"], ''Playbill'', July 24, 2025
100. Herrera, Monica. "'Glee's' Darren Criss: The Billboard Cover Story".
101. "This week's cover: How 'Glee' is leading TV's gay-teen revolution".
102. Brown, Geoffrey. (April 11, 2012). "Interview and Video: Darren Criss Is a Fighter". [[Out (magazine).
103. Blank, Matthew. "A Cover Story: Darren Criss in How to Succeed". [[Playbill]].
104. Daw, Robbie. (January 10, 2012). "Glee' Gears Up For Michael Jackson Tribute Episode With 'TV Guide' Cover". Idolator.
105. "Darren Criss on Da Man". [[Da Man]].
106. "Darren Criss: Absolutely Prefect". [[Gay Times.
107. . ["OhLaLa First Look/Darren Criss for Prestige Magazine/Born This Way"](http://www.ohlalamag.com/en/2011/02/ohlala-first-look-darren-criss-for-prestige-magazine-born-this-way.html). *OhLaLa*.
108. Russell, John. (January 13, 2013). "Darren Criss Covers Essential Homme January/February Issue". The Fashionisto.
109. "Voices Of New York". [[Uniqlo]].
110. Sager, Jessica. (November 18, 2011). "Darren Criss Makes People's 2011 Sexiest Man of the Year". Pop Crush.
111. "Hot 100". [[AfterElton]].
112. Lipton, Brian Scott. (June 26, 2012). "Darren Criss Tops AfterElton "Hot 100" List". After Elton.
113. . (March 6, 2012). ["30 Under 30: The Most Stylish Young Men In Hollywood"](https://www.gq.com/gallery/30-most-stylish-celebrities-under-30#slide=30). *[[GQ]]*.
114. Schmidt, Ingrid. (August 2, 2013). "The Motley launches cologne, partners with 'Glee' actor Darren Criss". Los Angeles Times.
115. (September 26, 2015). "Inside Darren Criss' Plan to Create an Annual Music Festival With Broadway Performers".
116. Theater Jones. (February 6, 2011). "Glee's Darren Criss on reaching LGBT Youth". YouTube.
117. (October 6, 2011). "Hollywood youth honored just 'cause".
118. (March 23, 2011). "Glee's Darren Criss and KIIS FM join Rock the Vote in Launching National "Democracy Day"". [[Rock the Vote]].
119. "Festival of New American Musicals Show Search". Theater Mania.
120. "Darren and his brother Chuck Criss of Freelance Whales on Amnesty International's Chimes of Freedom Bob Dylan compilation". Darren Criss Official Website.
121. "Shows". Darren Criss Official Website.
122. Criss, Darren. (January 19, 2018). "Mia and I have had seven and a half years of fun, wacky, wonderful, CRAZY adventures together. And I'm happy to announce that we're kicking those adventures up a notch. We're goin for it. To boldly go where neither of us have gone before. Engage. 🚀💍🖖".
123. Mizoguchi, Karen. (January 20, 2018). "Darren Criss Is Engaged! Actor Proposes to Girlfriend Mia Swier After 7 Years of Dating".
124. Heldman, Breanne. (February 16, 2019). "Darren Criss Marries Longtime Love Mia Swier in New Orleans". People.
125. "Darren Criss and Wife Mia Are Expecting a Baby: 'The Ultimate Collab'". People.
126. (April 14, 2022). "Darren Criss and Wife Mia Welcome First Baby, Daughter Bluesy Belle: 'Made Some Sweet Music'".
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128. (June 6, 2024). "M & D just delivered their follow-up single.".
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