Chris Colfer
A multi-hyphenate talent who rose from a bullied high school student to a Golden Globe-winning actor and bestselling young adult author.
Born 1990 (age 36)·American actor, singer, and author·Birthday: May 27·Millennials
Biography
Chris Colfer's story is one of channeling outsider status into resonant art. Growing up in Clovis, California, he was a target for bullying due to his high voice and theatrical interests, finding solace in writing and performing. His life changed dramatically when he was cast as Kurt Hummel on 'Glee,' a groundbreaking role as one of network television's first openly gay teenage characters. His nuanced portrayal, blending vulnerability with fierce wit, earned him a Golden Globe and made him a role model. Simultaneously, he launched a parallel career as a novelist, creating the bestselling 'Land of Stories' fantasy series for children, which topped the New York Times list. Colfer evolved from a defining TV presence into a prolific writer and producer, shaping narratives for young audiences across multiple mediums.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Chris was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Chris Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Chris's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2011 Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Kurt Hummel on the television series 'Glee.'
- Authored 'The Land of Stories' series, a multi-volume children's fantasy franchise that repeatedly topped the New York Times Best Seller list.
- Became one of the youngest authors to have a book debut at number one on the New York Times Best Seller list with 'The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.'
- Was named one of Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the World in 2011.
Did You Know?
He wrote his first 'Land of Stories' book during downtime on the set of 'Glee.'
He is a trained ventriloquist and performed with his dummy, Carol Burnett, on several talk shows.
He was almost cut from his 'Glee' audition because the creators thought he was too young, but his reading moved them to tears.
He narrated the audiobook versions of his own novels.
“The world is full of people who will go their whole lives and not actually live one day. She did not intend on being one of them.”
