Chris Colfer

Christopher Paul Colfer was born on May 27, 1990, in Clovis, California. His early life involved overcoming personal challenges, including bullying and supporting his sister through severe epilepsy, which fostered an early passion for storytelling and acting. His grandmother encouraged his writing from a young age, a pursuit that would later lead to significant literary achievements. Before his breakthrough, Colfer participated in community theater productions like ‘West Side Story’ and ‘The Sound of Music,’ where he played Kurt von Trapp, a role that directly influenced the naming of his character in ‘Glee’. He further honed his skills in high school, excelling in speech and debate and writing a gender-reversed spoof of ‘Sweeney Todd’ titled ‘Shirley Todd’.

Colfer’s career breakthrough came in 2009 with his role as Kurt Hummel in the Fox television series ‘Glee’. Initially auditioning for a different character, the show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, was so impressed that he created the role of Kurt specifically for Colfer. His portrayal of Kurt, a fashionable gay countertenor, earned him critical acclaim, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film in 2011, and he was named one of ‘Time’ magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Following his success in ‘Glee’, Colfer expanded his creative endeavors, authoring the best-selling children’s fantasy series ‘The Land of Stories’. He also wrote, starred in, and executive-produced the film ‘Struck by Lightning’ (2012), which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival. Colfer’s career also includes guest appearances in television shows like ‘Hot in Cleveland’ and voice roles in animated features such as ‘Marmaduke’ and ‘Ridley Jones,’ demonstrating his diverse range of talents across different media.

His literary career flourished with ‘The Land of Stories’ series, starting with ‘The Wishing Spell’ in 2012, which became a New York Times bestseller. The series expanded to six main books, a picture book, and a prequel trilogy, with a film adaptation of ‘The Wishing Spell’ currently in development. Colfer’s continued dedication to writing was further demonstrated by his children’s book series about space and UFOs, with the first installment, ‘Roswell Johnson Saves the World’, released in 2024. Beyond his professional achievements, Colfer is an active philanthropist, supporting organizations like The Trevor Project and the It Gets Better campaign, advocating for LGBTQ+ youth. He has also contributed to Make-A-Wish Foundation and other charitable causes, underlining his commitment to making a positive social impact.