Chris Colfer Christopher Colfer

Christopher Colfer, born May 27, 1990, is an American actor, singer, and author who achieved international fame for his role as Kurt Hummel in the television series Glee. His performance earned him critical acclaim and numerous awards, including a Golden Globe. Colfer's creative talents extend beyond acting; he has authored the New York Times bestselling children's book series, The Land of Stories, which draws inspiration from fairy tales and his own childhood experiences. His early life, marked by illness and challenges, fueled his interest in storytelling and imagination.

Colfer's career began in community theatre and short films before landing the pivotal role on Glee. The creators developed the character of Kurt specifically for him, weaving elements of Colfer's personal experiences into the narrative. Beyond Glee, Colfer has written and produced films, including Struck by Lightning, and has penned a significant number of books. His writing, particularly The Land of Stories, has been recognized for its success on bestseller lists, solidifying his reputation as a multifaceted artist.

Born in Clovis, California, Christopher Colfer's Irish heritage played a significant role in his upbringing. Early childhood experiences, including a prolonged hospital stay following surgery, fostered an early interest in imaginative worlds. The severe illness of his younger sister also diverted parental attention, leading Colfer to retreat into his imagination as a coping mechanism and begin writing fairy tales. He has described a lifelong desire to be a storyteller, using both writing and acting as outlets for entertainment and escape. His grandmother was an early supporter of his writing, encouraging him in elementary school as he began crafting fairytale-inspired narratives, which would later form the basis for his successful book series.

Colfer's performing career started in community theatre productions. He later gained recognition for his role as Kurt Hummel in the popular television series Glee, a character for whom the role was specifically created by the show's creator due to Colfer's audition performance. The character's storyline often incorporated elements from Colfer's own life, including challenges faced in high school. His portrayal of Kurt earned him significant awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe Award, and solidified his international fame. Colfer's work on Glee also led to him being recognized on the Time 100 list of influential people.

Christopher Colfer has achieved considerable success as an author, particularly with his children's fiction series, The Land of Stories. This series, inspired by classic fairy tales and his grandmother's encouragement, chronicles the adventures of twins who enter a magical world through a treasured storybook. The first book, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, debuted on The New York Times Best Seller list. Subsequent books in the series have also achieved bestseller status, leading to a multi-book deal and the expansion of the series to include novels and a picture book. Colfer also wrote and novelized his film, Struck by Lightning, and has been involved in other writing projects.

“I'm very Irish, my family is all Irish and Saint Patrick's Day in my house is crazy.”

“She'd have these horrid, horrid epileptic fits in the middle of the night.”

“craved attention”

“born wanting to be a storyteller”

“Christopher, I think you should wait until you're done with elementary school before worrying about being a failed writer.”