Chris Colfer is an American actor, singer, and writer best known for his portrayal of Kurt Hummel in the smash TV show “Glee.” Colfer was named to Time’s list of the 100 most influential people in 2011 after winning a Golden Globe and a Screen Guild Award, as well as three People’s Choice Awards. His extraordinary acting abilities have been recognized by reviewers who see him as a unique talent. He has a remarkable capacity to imbue his characters with soul. While his role as Hummel made him famous in the United States, it was his book series ‘The Land of Stories’ that made him famous globally. ‘The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell,’ his first book, went on to become a New York Times number-one bestselling author. The book debuted at #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list in the category of Children’s Chapter Books and stayed there for two weeks. There have now been five installments in the book series, with the sixth set to be released in 2017. Colfer has also worked as a producer, director, and script writer in addition to being an author and actor. He has a lot of upcoming projects in television, film, and novels on his plate.
Childhood and Adolescence
Chris Colfer was born in Clovis, California on May 27, 1990 to Karyn and Timothy Colfer. He is of Irish descent. Hannah, his younger sister, is afflicted with severe epilepsy.
Colfer had lymph-node surgery early in his youth, which left a scar on his neck. He was bedridden, and the realm of fiction was his sole outlet for expression. Colfer’s enthusiasm for writing and acting was soon sparked, and his grandmother pushed him to pursue his dreams.
Colfer went to Clovis East High School after finishing middle school. Colfer’s writing, speaking, and acting abilities grew significantly during his time there. He was the president of Writer’s Club and won multiple debating championships. He was also a member of the drama club.
Career of Chris Colfer
Chris Colfer’s career began when he joined a small theater group. ‘West Side Story’ was the first show he was a member of. His next performance was in the musical ‘The Sound of Music,’ in which he played Kurt von Trapp.
He played the eponymous part of Russel Fish in the short story ‘Russel Fish: The Sausage and Eggs Incident’ when he was 18 years old. He played an awkward adolescent who was on the verge of losing his Harvard acceptance if he failed the physical exam.
Colfer’s first big break came in 2009, when he was cast in the role of Kurt Hummel on Fox’s ‘Glee.’ Colfer was cast in the part of Hummel after initially auditioning for the role of Artie Abrams. The character of Kurt Hummel wasn’t originally intended to be a full-fledged character, but Colfer’s remarkable talent and brilliant onscreen representation prompted show creator Ryan Murphy to expand the role of Hummel so that Colfer could have more screen time.
Hummel is a popular gay countertenor in the series who is bullied at school not only for being gay, but also for being a member of the unpopular Glee Club. Many of the events and experiences that Hummel portrays on screen are directly related to Colfer’s real-life experiences.
In June 2011, he returned to his second ‘passion’ writing after making a name for himself as an actor. He inked a deal with Little, Brown and Company to write two children’s books. Alex and Conner, twin boys, would travel through a mythical country in the series. They not only have adventures, but they also meet characters from fairy tales.
‘The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell,’ the first book in the two-volume series, was released on July 17, 2012. The book was an immediate success, reaching number one on the New York Times Best Seller list in the Children’s Chapter Books category. It stayed at the top for two weeks.
Chris Colfer released his second book, ‘The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns,’ on August 6, 2013, following the popularity of his first. The New York Times Best Seller list placed the book at #2. The book remained in the top fifteen for Children’s Middle Grade novels for eleven weeks.
Following the success of his first two books, Colfer secured a three-book deal with Little, Brown and Company, which includes two novels and a picture book.
In July of 2014, he released ‘The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning,’ the third book in the ‘The Land of Stories’ series. The book spent four weeks at number four on The New York Times Best Seller list.
‘The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms,’ Colfer’s fourth novel, was published in July 2015. The Land of Stories debuted at #1 on The New York Times Best Seller List as a series for the first time after its publication.
In October 2015, he released the picture book ‘The Curvy Tree,’ which he wrote and Brandon Dorman drew. It’s based on the same-named short original fairy tale, which Colfer initially told in his first novel, ‘The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.’
‘The Land of Stories: An Author’s Odyssey,’ Colfer’s fifth book in the series, was released in July 2016. He quickly announced that ‘The Land Of Stories: Worlds Collide,’ the sixth and final installment, will be released in July 2017.
In 2011, Colfer starred in the coming-of-age comedy film ‘Struck by Lightning’, in addition to the ‘The Land of Stories’ books. He also contributed as a writer and executive producer to the film. In 2012, he produced ‘Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal,’ a companion book to his film. He also starred in Dustin Lance Black’s play ‘8’ that same year.
Colfer appeared as Tony, Victoria’s son, in an episode of ‘Hot in Cleveland’ in 2014. In March 2015, he returned for an episode titled ‘All About Elka’ for the show’s last season.
In 2016, he portrayed Christopher in the film ‘Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie.’ Jennifer Saunders offered him the part. He also featured on ‘Chopped Junior’ as a guest judge.
Colfer’s upcoming projects include the animated family feature ‘Robodog,’ in which he will voice the protagonist KC. The film is currently under post-production. ‘Noel,’ a biopic in which he plays Noel Coward, is one of his other works.
Colfer is preparing to make his directorial debut after wearing the hats of actor and writer. Colfer revealed in June 2017 that his debut book, ‘The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell,’ would be adapted into a film. He will also serve as the film’s script writer and executive producer.
Colfer recently revealed that he is working on a new television series called “Indigo.” It’s a science fiction drama about indigo kids who are misdiagnosed with mental or physical problems when they actually have supernatural skills. Not only would he write it, but he would also direct and appear in it. He is also one of the show’s executive producers, alongside Keith Quinn and Rob Weisbach.
Major Projects of Chris Colfer
When Colfer featured as Kurt Hummel in ‘Glee,’ it was the pinnacle of his career. He was so good in his performance that it seemed like the character was made just for him. Surprisingly, Colfer had no intention of playing Hummel. He meant to portray Artie Abrams, but his incredible talent landed him the role of Hummel. He earned a Golden Globe, a Screen Guild Award, and three People’s Choice Awards for his brilliance.
Achievements & Awards
Colfer’s breakout role in ‘Glee’ earned him multiple prizes, including Male Scene Stealer at the 2010 Teen Choice Awards, Golden Globe Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, Screen Guild Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, and Outstanding Actor at the Mote-Carlo TV Festival.
He got the Teen Choice Award for ‘Glee’ in the category of Choice TV Actor Comedy in 2012.
Colfer won the People’s Choice Favourite Comedic TV Actor award three years in a row, in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Personal History and Legacy
Colfer, who was bullied as a child, is a strong supporter of the It Gets Better Campaign and The Trevor Project. In 2011, he dedicated his Golden Globe Award to LGBT children who had been bullied. Later that year, he produced a PSA on anti-bullying with Elmo for Sesame Street in Communities and took part in the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Course of the Force run. He gave the money he won on Hollywood Game Night to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America.
In 2013 and 2014, he co-chaired the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party. He’s also a member of the Uprising of Love coalition, which advocates for the safety and dignity of Russian lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) people.
Colfer is also a strong advocate for animal rights, emphasizing the significance of adopting animals from shelters.
Estimated Net Worth
Chris Colfer’s net worth and salary: Chris Colfer is a $8 million dollar American actor, singer, and writer. Chris Colfer is best known for his portrayal as Kurt Hummel in the television series Glee. Chris earned the 2011 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series for his performance on Glee, and he has also been nominated for many Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. Chris was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most important people in 2011. Colfer was born on May 27, 1990, in Clovis, California, and is of Irish origin.