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Lea Michele
ActorBorn August 29, 1986 (39 years)
Lea Michele Sarfati (born August 29, 1986) is an American actress, singer, and songwriter. A soprano with a vocal range spanning multiple octaves, she is known for her performances on both screen and stage. Michele has received various accolades, including a Screen Actors Guild Award, along with nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, and two Golden Globe Awards. Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in both 2010 and 2023.
Born and raised in New York City, Michele is of Italian and Sephardic Jewish descent. She began her career as a child actress on Broadway, appearing in productions of Les Misérables (1995–1996), Ragtime (1997–1999), Fiddler on the Roof (2004–2005), and Spring Awakening (2006–2008).
She rose to fame as overachieving high school student Rachel Berry on the Fox musical comedy-drama Glee (2009–2015). Her performance earned critical acclaim, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Along with the cast, Michele received three Grammy Award nominations for music from the series, which also produced multiple Billboard-charting singles. Her portrayal of Berry became a defining role of 2010s television, influencing a generation of young performers and helping to popularize musical television worldwide.
Michele made her feature film debut in New Year’s Eve (2011) and signed with Columbia Records in 2012. She released her debut single, “Cannonball,” in 2013, followed by her first studio album Louder (2014), which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Her subsequent albums include Places (2017), Christmas in the City (2019), and Forever (2021). Known for her expressive, Broadway-trained voice and emotional delivery, Michele has been praised for her ability to blend theatrical performance with contemporary pop sensibilities. She has also authored two books: Brunette Ambition (2014) and You First: Journal Your Way to Your Best Life (2015).
In 2022, Michele returned to Broadway to star as Fanny Brice in the revival of Funny Girl, earning widespread acclaim for her performance. She is set to return to the stage in 2025, starring as Florence in the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess, opposite Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. Following her acclaimed work in Funny Girl, Michele continues to be recognized as one of Broadway’s leading performers of her generation, maintaining an active presence in theater, music, and on screen.
Born and raised in New York City, Michele is of Italian and Sephardic Jewish descent. She began her career as a child actress on Broadway, appearing in productions of Les Misérables (1995–1996), Ragtime (1997–1999), Fiddler on the Roof (2004–2005), and Spring Awakening (2006–2008).
She rose to fame as overachieving high school student Rachel Berry on the Fox musical comedy-drama Glee (2009–2015). Her performance earned critical acclaim, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series, and nominations for a Primetime Emmy Award and two Golden Globe Awards for Best Actress in a Comedy Series. Along with the cast, Michele received three Grammy Award nominations for music from the series, which also produced multiple Billboard-charting singles. Her portrayal of Berry became a defining role of 2010s television, influencing a generation of young performers and helping to popularize musical television worldwide.
Michele made her feature film debut in New Year’s Eve (2011) and signed with Columbia Records in 2012. She released her debut single, “Cannonball,” in 2013, followed by her first studio album Louder (2014), which debuted at number 4 on the Billboard 200. Her subsequent albums include Places (2017), Christmas in the City (2019), and Forever (2021). Known for her expressive, Broadway-trained voice and emotional delivery, Michele has been praised for her ability to blend theatrical performance with contemporary pop sensibilities. She has also authored two books: Brunette Ambition (2014) and You First: Journal Your Way to Your Best Life (2015).
In 2022, Michele returned to Broadway to star as Fanny Brice in the revival of Funny Girl, earning widespread acclaim for her performance. She is set to return to the stage in 2025, starring as Florence in the first-ever Broadway revival of Chess, opposite Aaron Tveit and Nicholas Christopher. Following her acclaimed work in Funny Girl, Michele continues to be recognized as one of Broadway’s leading performers of her generation, maintaining an active presence in theater, music, and on screen.
Known For
Featured Videos
Lea Michele Filmography
| 2019 | Same Time, Next Christmas · as Olivia Anderson |
| 2019 | |
| 2017 | |
| 2017 | The Mayor (2017) (TV Series) · as Valentina Barella |
| 2017 | Dimension 404 (TV Series) · as Amanda |
| 2015 | Scream Queens (TV Series) · as Hester Ulrich |
| 2013 | Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return · as Dorothy (voice) |
| 2012 | MusiCares Tribute to Barbra Streisand · as Performer |
| 2011 | New Year's Eve · as Elise |
| 2011 | Glee: The 3D Concert Movie · as Rachel Berry |
| 2011 | Glee Encore · as Rachel Berry |
| 2010 | |
| 2009 | The Cleveland Show (TV Series) |
| 2009 | Glee (TV Series) · as Rachel Berry |
| 2009 | Glee: Director's Cut Pilot Episode · as Rachel Berry |
| 2008 | Sons of Anarchy (TV Series) · as Gertie |
| 2004 | The X Factor (TV Series) · as Rachel Berry |
| 1999 | Third Watch (TV Series) · as Sammi |
| 1998 | Buster & Chauncey's Silent Night · as Christina (voice) |
| 1989 | The Simpsons (TV Series) · as Sarah (voice) |
| 1987 | Biography (TV Series) · as Rachel Berry |
| 2025 | The 78th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2023 | The 76th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Performer & Presenter |
| 2023 | TIME100: The World's Most Influential People · as Self - Performer |
| 2023 | The Price of Glee (TV Series) · as Self - Former Member Of Glee Cast |
| 2022 | The 75th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Performer & Presenter |
| 2022 | Spring Awakening: Those You've Known · as Self - Wendla |
| 2021 | Michelle Carter: Love, Texts & Death · as Self - Actress, Glee |
| 2020 | The Drew Barrymore Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2020 | #KidsTogether: The Nickelodeon Town Hall · as Self |
| 2019 | The 93rd Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade · as Self - Performer |
| 2019 | A Little Late with Lilly Singh (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2019 | The Kelly Clarkson Show (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 2018 | The Ladygang (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2018 | Strahan, Sara & Keke (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2017 | American Music Awards 2017 · as Self - Presenter |
| 2017 | 51st Annual CMA Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2017 | The 69th Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2017 | Carpool Karaoke (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2016 | Style Code Live (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2016 | Chelsea (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2016 | The 42nd Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2015 | Teen Choice Awards 2015 · as Self - Winner |
| 2015 | The Late Late Show with James Corden (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2014 | Teen Choice Awards 2014 · as Self - Winner |
| 2014 | Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards 2014 · as Self - Presenter |
| 2014 | Late Night with Seth Meyers (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2014 | The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Musical Guest |
| 2013 | Mademoiselle C · as Self |
| 2013 | Teen Choice Awards 2013 · as Self - Winner |
| 2013 | 70th Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2013 | The 39th Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2012 | Teen Choice Awards 2012 · as Self - Winner |
| 2012 | Bethenny (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2012 | Sunday Brunch (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2012 | 18th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2012 | The 38th Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2012 | CBS Mornings (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | The Chew (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | The X Factor (US) (TV Series) · as Self - Audience Member |
| 2011 | The 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2011 | The Glee Project (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2011 | Big Morning Buzz Live (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2011 | The 53rd Annual Grammy Awards · as Self - Presenter |
| 2011 | Super Bowl XLV · as Self - America The Beautiful Performer |
| 2011 | 17th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2011 | The 68th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2010 | Conan (2010) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | The Talk (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | Daybreak (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | The 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2010 | Teen Choice Awards 2010 · as Self - Winner |
| 2010 | The 64th Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 2010 | Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards 2010 · as Self - Award Presenter |
| 2010 | Who Do You Think You Are? (US) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2010 | Piper's QUICK Picks (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2010 | The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards · as Self |
| 2010 | 16th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards · as Self - Winner |
| 2010 | The 67th Annual Golden Globe Awards · as Self - Nominee |
| 2010 | The 36th Annual People's Choice Awards · as Self |
| 2009 | The Dr. Oz Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | The Teen Choice Awards 2009 · as Self |
| 2009 | The Project (2009) (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2009 | Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Late Night with Jimmy Fallon (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2009 | Glee Casting Session · as Self |
| 2008 | The Bonnie Hunt Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2008 | Piper's Picks TV (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2007 | Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade · as Self |
| 2007 | Chelsea Lately (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2007 | The 61st Annual Tony Awards · as Self - Performer |
| 2007 | Up Close with Carrie Keagan (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | Rachael Ray (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2006 | Top Chef (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | Made In Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2005 | The Tyra Banks Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2004 | The Insider (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2003 | The Ellen DeGeneres Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2003 | Australian Idol (TV Series) · as Self - Audience Member |
| 2003 | Jimmy Kimmel Live! (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 2002 | Storyline Online (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2002 | American Idol (TV Series) · as Self |
| 2000 | BBC Breakfast (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1999 | Teen Choice Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 1997 | The View (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1996 | Access Hollywood (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1996 | The Daily Show (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1995 | E! Live from the Red Carpet (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | Extra (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1994 | Inside the Actors Studio (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | Late Show with David Letterman (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1992 | The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1991 | E! News (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | Inside Edition (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1988 | This Morning (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1988 | LIVE with Kelly and Mark (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1986 | The Oprah Winfrey Show (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1983 | Sally Jessy Raphael (TV Series) · as Self - Performer |
| 1981 | Entertainment Tonight (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1979 | CBS Sunday Morning With Jane Pauley (TV Series) · as Self |
| 1975 | Good Morning America (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |
| 1956 | Tony Awards (TV Series) · as Self - Presenter |
| 1952 | Today (TV Series) · as Self - Guest |