Darren Criss is an American actor, singer, songwriter and musician known for his work in television, Broadway and music. Born on February 5, 1987, in San Francisco, California, he became a major name in entertainment through his role as Blaine Anderson on Glee. His career later expanded into award-winning television performances, stage productions and music projects.
Criss gained further recognition for playing serial killer Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. His performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. He has also built a strong Broadway career through productions such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Buffalo and Maybe Happy Ending.
In 2026, Darren Criss remains active across television, film, Broadway and music. His latest major career development is his casting as Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s upcoming Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story. The new role adds another major character to his growing acting career while he continues performing music and appearing in live theatre productions.
Darren Criss Early Life and Background
Darren Everett Criss was born on February 5, 1987, in San Francisco, California, United States. He grew up in a family with strong connections to music, business and the arts. His father, Charles William Criss Jr., worked as a banker and served as an executive in the entertainment industry. His mother, Cerina, is from Cebu in the Philippines. Darren grew up with his older brother, Charles “Chuck” Criss.
Criss developed an interest in music and performance during his childhood. He began learning the violin at the age of five and later learned to play instruments such as piano, guitar, drums, mandolin and harmonica. His early exposure to music helped him build the skills that later became an important part of his acting and singing career.
As a teenager, Criss became increasingly interested in theatre and musical performance. He attended Stuart Hall for Boys before graduating from Saint Ignatius College Preparatory in San Francisco. He later attended the University of Michigan, where he studied theatre and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 2009. His education and early stage experience prepared him for the professional acting and music career that followed.
Darren Criss Education
Darren Criss began his formal education in San Francisco, California. He attended Stuart Hall for Boys during his early school years before moving on to Saint Ignatius College Preparatory. While growing up, he developed a strong interest in music and performing arts. His early exposure to theatre and music helped shape his decision to pursue entertainment as a professional career.
After completing high school, Criss attended the University of Michigan. He studied theatre at the university and focused on developing his acting, stage performance and musical abilities. He graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Theatre. His university education gave him formal training in performance and strengthened the qualifications he later used in professional theatre and television.
While studying at the University of Michigan, Criss also became involved in musical theatre and creative projects. He was a founding member of StarKid Productions, the theatre company behind A Very Potter Musical. The project became an early breakthrough for him and allowed him to combine acting, singing, songwriting and comedy. His education, theatre training and practical stage experience provided an important foundation for his later career in television, Broadway and music.
Darren Criss Career
Darren Criss began his professional career through theatre, music and online performance. While studying at the University of Michigan, he co-founded StarKid Productions with fellow students. The group became known for its musical productions, especially A Very Potter Musical. Criss played Harry Potter and also contributed to the show’s music and lyrics. The production gained a large online following and introduced him to a wider audience.
Criss later moved into television and gained his major breakthrough on Glee. He joined the series as Blaine Anderson, a talented singer and student who became an important character in the show. His performances quickly attracted attention, especially his version of “Teenage Dream.” The role established Criss as both an actor and singer and helped him build a strong international fan base.
After Glee, Criss continued developing his television career with more challenging roles. In 2018, he played Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. His performance received major critical recognition and earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. He also won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Miniseries or Television Film for the same role.
Criss has also built an important career on Broadway. He has appeared in productions including How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, American Buffalo and Maybe Happy Ending. His Broadway work has allowed him to combine his acting, singing and stage performance qualifications. His role in Maybe Happy Ending further strengthened his position as a leading musical theatre performer.
Music has remained another major part of Criss’s career. He has released original songs and performed concerts around the world. His musical style combines pop, rock, musical theatre and holiday music. He has also continued performing live for audiences in different countries, showing that his career extends beyond acting.
In 2026, Criss continues to work across television, film, theatre and music. He has remained active on stage and has taken on new screen roles, including a voice role as Jon Kent/Superboy in My Adventures with Superman. His career has also expanded into the Descendants franchise, with his casting as Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s upcoming Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story.
With experience in television, Broadway, film, songwriting and live performance, Darren Criss has built a diverse entertainment career. His journey from student theatre and online musical productions to Emmy-winning television performances and major Broadway roles has made him one of the versatile performers of his generation.
Darren Criss Cast as Jiminy Cricket in Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story
Darren Criss is making headlines in August 2026 after being cast as Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s upcoming Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story. The project is part of the popular Descendants franchise and adds another major Disney character to Criss’s growing list of acting roles. His casting has attracted attention because it brings together his experience in acting, music and musical theatre.
In the new Disney project, Criss will take on the role of Jiminy Cricket, the classic character associated with Pinocchio. The movie is being developed as a music-driven addition to the Descendants universe. His involvement gives him another opportunity to combine his acting and musical performance skills in a major family entertainment production.
The new role comes during an active period in Criss’s career. In 2026, he has continued working across television, Broadway and music while taking on new projects. His casting as Jiminy Cricket further expands his connection with major entertainment franchises and gives fans another highly anticipated performance to follow.
Darren Criss Personal Life and Family
Darren Criss married his longtime partner, Mia Swier, in February 2019. The couple began dating in 2010 and kept their relationship mostly private before getting married in New Orleans. Swier is a writer, producer and director who has worked in television and entertainment. She has also been involved in music and creative projects, making the couple a strong match within the entertainment industry.
Darren and Mia welcomed their first child, a daughter named Bluesy Belle Criss, in April 2022. The couple later welcomed their second child, a daughter named Brother Criss, in June 2024. Criss has generally kept his family life away from excessive public attention, choosing to focus much of his public presence on his acting, music and stage career.
Family has also played an important role in Criss’s background. His father, Charles William Criss Jr., was an American banker and entertainment executive, while his mother, Cerina Criss, was born in Cebu, Philippines. Darren has an older brother, Charles “Chuck” Criss, who is a musician and a member of the band Freelance Whales. His Filipino heritage through his mother has also remained an important part of his personal identity and cultural background.
Darren Criss Age, Religion, Nationality, Height and Physical Appearance
Darren Criss was born on February 5, 1987, which makes him 39 years old as of August 19, 2026. He was born in San Francisco, California, United States. Criss is American by nationality and has Filipino heritage through his mother, Cerina, who is from Cebu in the Philippines. His mixed cultural background has been an important part of his personal identity.
Criss was raised in a Catholic family and attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, a Jesuit Catholic school in San Francisco. His religious background is therefore Roman Catholic. However, he has generally kept his personal religious beliefs private and does not make religion a major part of his public career.
Darren Criss is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall. He has a slim and athletic build, dark brown hair and brown eyes. His appearance is often complemented by his polished fashion style, especially at award ceremonies, Broadway events and other entertainment appearances. His distinctive dark hair, expressive eyes and energetic stage presence have become recognizable features of his public image.
Darren Criss Net Worth
Darren Criss has an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2026. There is no official public financial statement from Criss confirming his personal wealth, so this figure is an estimate based on his long-running career in television, film, Broadway, music and other entertainment projects. His years of work across several areas of the industry have created multiple sources of income.
A major part of Criss’s earnings comes from acting. His role as Blaine Anderson on Glee gave him a major television career, while his award-winning performance in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story increased his profile. He has also earned income from Broadway productions, film and television appearances, producing and voice acting. His work as a professional Broadway performer also provides income through theatre salaries and performance contracts.
Criss also earns money through music, concerts, songwriting, producing and business ventures. He has released music, performed live shows and worked on several theatre and entertainment projects. His continued involvement in Broadway, television and major productions in 2026 provides additional earning opportunities. Based on the scale and length of his career, an estimated $5 million net worth is a reasonable figure for his current financial profile.
Legacy
Darren Criss has built a lasting legacy as a versatile entertainer who successfully moved between television, Broadway, music and theatre. His breakthrough as Blaine Anderson on Glee introduced him to a global audience and established him as both an actor and singer. His early work with StarKid Productions also showed how independent theatre and online audiences could create major opportunities for emerging performers.
His performance as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story became one of the defining achievements of his acting career. The role earned him a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award. His success on Broadway has further strengthened his reputation as a performer capable of handling demanding dramatic and musical roles.
Criss’s legacy also includes his contribution to modern musical theatre and his ability to connect acting with music. From A Very Potter Musical to Glee, Broadway and his solo music career, he has continued to explore different forms of entertainment. His continued work in 2026, including his upcoming role as Jiminy Cricket in Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story, shows that his career is still expanding and adding new chapters to his legacy.
Conclusion
Darren Criss has built a successful career through acting, singing, songwriting and theatre. From his early work with StarKid Productions and his breakthrough role as Blaine Anderson on Glee to his Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning performance in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, he has continued to take on diverse roles. His Broadway achievements, music career and upcoming role as Jiminy Cricket in Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story further show his versatility and lasting influence in the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions About Darren Criss
Who is Darren Criss?
Darren Criss is an American actor, singer, songwriter and musician. He is best known for playing Blaine Anderson on Glee and Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
How old is Darren Criss?
Darren Criss is 39 years old as of August 19, 2026. He was born on February 5, 1987, in San Francisco, California.
Who is Darren Criss’s wife?
Darren Criss is married to Mia Swier. They began dating in 2010 and married in February 2019.
Does Darren Criss have children?
Yes. Darren Criss and Mia Swier have two daughters. Their first daughter is Bluesy Belle Criss, born in April 2022. Their second daughter was born in 2024.
What is Darren Criss’s nationality?
Darren Criss is American. He was born in San Francisco, California, United States. He also has Filipino heritage through his mother, Cerina Criss.
What is Darren Criss’s religion?
Darren Criss was raised in a Roman Catholic family and attended Saint Ignatius College Preparatory, a Jesuit Catholic school.
How tall is Darren Criss?
Darren Criss is approximately 5 feet 8 inches (173 cm) tall.
What is Darren Criss famous for?
Darren Criss is famous for playing Blaine Anderson on Glee and Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story. He is also known for his Broadway career and music.
What awards has Darren Criss won?
Darren Criss has won a Primetime Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance as Andrew Cunanan in The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.
What is Darren Criss’s net worth?
Darren Criss has an estimated net worth of about $5 million in 2026. His income comes from acting, Broadway, music, songwriting, concerts and other entertainment projects.
What is Darren Criss doing in 2026?
In 2026, Darren Criss continues working in television, theatre and music. He has also been cast as Jiminy Cricket in Disney’s upcoming Hidden Heroes: A Descendants Story.
What did Darren Criss study?
Darren Criss studied theatre at the University of Michigan. He graduated in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Theatre.
Is Darren Criss Filipino?
Yes. Darren Criss has Filipino heritage through his mother, Cerina Criss, who is from Cebu in the Philippines.