Biography
Who is Chris Colfer?
Early life and education
Chris Colfer was born in Clovis, California, to parents Timothy and Karyn Colfer. Growing up with Irish heritage, he spent much of his childhood focused on storytelling. A significant medical event occurred when he was young, involving a three month stay in a hospital following surgery on a lymph node. This experience, which left a scar on his neck, helped foster his interest in imaginary worlds.
During his school years, Chris faced challenges including severe bullying in middle school that necessitated homeschooling for portions of seventh and eighth grade. He eventually attended Clovis East High School, where he was very active in several extracurricular activities. He served as the president of the Writer's Club and was the editor of his school's literary magazine. He also participated in the drama club and the speech and debate program, where he earned several champion titles.
How Chris became famous
The actor gained widespread international fame through his role on the Fox musical series Glee. He portrayed the character Kurt Hummel, a fashionable countertenor, starting in 2009. The role was created specifically for him by series creator Ryan Murphy after his initial audition for a different part. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2011 and two Primetime Emmy Award nominations.
In addition to his television success, he won consecutive People's Choice Awards for Favorite Comedic TV Actor between 2013 and 2015. His work on the show helped him become a recognized figure in popular culture. In 2011, he was also included on the Time 100 list, which recognizes influential people globally.
Career as an author and producer
Beyond acting, Chris Colfer is a successful novelist and screenwriter. He authored the bestselling children's fiction series The Land of Stories, which began with The Wishing Spell in 2012. By September 2025, he had published a total of twenty-one books. His writing includes both novels and a picture book titled The Curvy Tree, which was released in 2015.
He also expanded into film production and directing. He wrote, produced, and starred in the comedy film Struck by Lightning, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2012. He has also worked on various other projects, including a pilot for the Disney Channel and a film set in an asylum. Warner Bros Pictures acquired the rights to adapt his book series into a film, with plans for him to serve as an executive producer.
Birthday and age
Chris Colfer was born on May 27, 1990, which makes Chris 36 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Chris shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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