Chris Colfer

Colfer was born in Clovis, California, to Karyn and Timothy Colfer.{{cite web |last=Bentley |first=Rick |url=http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/07/08/1999366/clovis-east-grad-gets-emmy-nod.html |title=Emmy nod 'surreal,' Clovis East grad says – Clovis: News |publisher=fresnobee.com |access-date=November 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307095843/http://www.fresnobee.com/2010/07/08/1999366/clovis-east-grad-gets-emmy-nod.html |archive-date=March 7, 2012 |url-status=dead }} He is of Irish ancestry and has stated: "I'm very Irish, my family is all Irish and Saint Patrick's Day in my house is crazy."{{cite web |author=tv |url=http://tv.uk.msn.com/blog/editor-blogpost.aspx?post=34985fb8-f3e1-4105-a10d-78b7160d0b2b |title=MSN UK |publisher=MSN |date=August 19, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120529234159/http://tv.uk.msn.com/blog/editor-blogpost.aspx?post=34985fb8-f3e1-4105-a10d-78b7160d0b2b |archive-date=May 29, 2012 |url-status=dead }} As a child, he was confined to a hospital bed for three months following a lymph node surgery, which left a scar on his neck and which he credits as one of the difficult experiences that made him interested in fictional worlds.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-xpm-2012-jul-15-la-ca-chris-colfer-20120715-story.html|title=The Writing Life: Chris Colfer of 'Glee' inspired by fairy tales|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|author=Susan|date=July 15, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=March 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140301080116/http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jul/15/entertainment/la-ca-chris-colfer-20120715|url-status=live}}

When Colfer was seven, his younger sister was diagnosed with severe epilepsy; he said, "She'd have these horrid, horrid epileptic fits in the middle of the night."{{Cite news|last=Schulman|first=Michael|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/fashion/the-many-hats-of-chris-colfer.html|title=The Many Hats of Chris Colfer|date=December 21, 2012|newspaper=The New York Times|access-date=April 28, 2020|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=November 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112022825/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/23/fashion/the-many-hats-of-chris-colfer.html|url-status=live}} He "craved attention" from his parents, but it was diverted to his sister's health. He knew he wanted to be an actor, but as a coping mechanism he retreated into his imagination and began writing fairy tales.

At an early age, Colfer showed a passion for writing. He was "born wanting to be a storyteller", using both writing and acting as ways to entertain people and escape reality. His grandmother was his first editor, advising and encouraging him in elementary school when he first attempted to write a fairytale-inspired novel, which would later become The Land of Stories.{{cite web|url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/52327-bea-2012-a-bountiful-breakfast-menu.html|title=BEA 2012: A Bountiful Breakfast Menu|publisher=publishersweekly.co|author=Lodge, Sally|date=June 6, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=February 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140219212425/http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bea/article/52327-bea-2012-a-bountiful-breakfast-menu.html|url-status=live}} In 2012, Colfer dedicated his first published novel to her, and quoted her: "Christopher, I think you should wait until you're done with elementary school before worrying about being a failed writer."{{cite book|last=Colfer|first=Chris|date=July 2, 2013|title=The Wishing Spell|publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers|isbn=978-0316201568|quote=To Grandma, for being my first editor and giving me the best writing advice I've ever received: "Christopher, I think you should wait until you're done with elementary school before worrying about being a failed writer."|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/landofstories0000colf}}

Colfer was bullied so severely in middle school that he needed to be homeschooled for half of 7th grade and 8th grade.[http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337239/glee-cast-talks-new-season-how-show-changed-them "'Glee' cast talks of new season, how show changed them"], Manila Bulletin, October 10, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2011. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111215143018/http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/337239/glee-cast-talks-new-season-how-show-changed-them |date=December 15, 2011 }} When he attended Clovis East High School, he was involved with the speech and debate program, and he won "champion titles", including placing ninth in the State Competition for Dramatic Interpretation. He was also active in the drama club, the FFA, "was president of the Writer's Club, editor of the school's literary magazine, and captain of Destination ImagiNation".[http://gleewiki.fox.com/page/Chris+Colfer Chris Colfer on Glee wiki] Gleewiki on Fox.com. Retrieved November 14, 2009. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090907003947/http://gleewiki.fox.com/page/Chris+Colfer |date=September 7, 2009 }} As a high school senior, he wrote, starred in, and directed a spoof of Sweeney Todd entitled Shirley Todd, in which all of the roles were gender-reversed.{{cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |url=http://advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Television/Glees_Chris_Colfer__Just_one_of_the_guys/ |title=Just One of the Guys |publisher=Advocate.com |access-date=November 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221053437/http://www.advocate.com/Arts_and_Entertainment/Television/Glees_Chris_Colfer__Just_one_of_the_guys/ |archive-date=December 21, 2011 |url-status=dead }} One of his real in-school experiences was later turned into a subplot for his character on Glee, when the high school teachers denied him the chance to sing "Defying Gravity" from the musical Wicked because it is traditionally sung by a woman.[http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/11/12/glees-chris-colfer-reveals-real-life-story-behind-kurts-diva-moment/ Glee's Chris Colfer Reveals Real-Life Story Behind Kurt's Diva Moment] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091115114903/http://tvwatch.people.com/2009/11/12/glees-chris-colfer-reveals-real-life-story-behind-kurts-diva-moment/ |date=November 15, 2009 }} People, November 12, 2009.{{cite news|title=Glee Star Chris Colfer Shares His Best Behind-the-Scenes Moments and Surreal Adventures|first=Allison|last=Kugel|author-link=Allison Kugel|url=http://www.pr.com/article/1151|publisher=PR.com|date=April 26, 2010|access-date=May 28, 2011|archive-date=January 6, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106092747/http://www.pr.com/article/1151|url-status=live}}

The first show Colfer acted in was a community theatre production of West Side Story.{{cite web|title=Glee Does West Side Story|via = YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfAsgUbPoM&feature=channel_video_title|access-date=November 10, 2013|archive-date=August 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130811074459/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wgfAsgUbPoM&feature=channel_video_title|url-status=live}} He then appeared in The Sound of Music as Kurt von Trapp at Good Company Players, which later inspired the naming of his Glee character.{{Cite web|date=August 25, 2011|title=Chris Colfer – GCP Alumnus|url=https://gcplayers.com/chris-colfer-gcp-alumnus/|access-date=October 24, 2021|website=Good Company Players|language=en-US |last1=Network |first1=Uhuru }}

At age 18, Colfer starred as Russel Fish in Russel Fish: The Sausage and Eggs Incident, a short film in which an awkward teenager must pass a Presidential Physical Fitness test or fail gym class and lose his admission to Harvard University.

Colfer's first TV role came in 2009 when he was cast as Kurt Hummel on Fox's Glee. Kurt is a fashionable gay countertenor who is routinely bullied at school for his sexuality and participating in the very unpopular Glee Club. Colfer auditioned for the part of Artie Abrams, who uses a wheelchair, a role which eventually went to Kevin McHale.

File:Chris Colfer 2011 Shankbone.JPG The show's creator, Ryan Murphy, was so impressed with Colfer that he created the role of Kurt specifically for him,{{cite journal |date=May–June 2010 |volume=XXXII |issue=3 |journal=Emmy |publisher=Academy of Television Arts & Sciences |location=North Hollywood, California |issn=0164-3495 |oclc=4629234 |last=Malcolm |first=Shawna |title=Let It Glee |pages=102–109 }} and in the process, scrapped a planned character called Rajish so they could add Kurt. Murphy explained in the season two finale of The Glee Project that Colfer was the inspiration for the project show because he did not fit the role he auditioned for but was still "incredible and special" so a role was created for him.{{cite web|last=Murphy|first=Ryan|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/337595/chris-colfer-dishes-on-glee-project-finale-and-sarah-jessica-parker-plus-an-exclusive-sneak-peek|title=Glee Project Season Two Finale|publisher=Oxegen|access-date=August 17, 2012|date=August 14, 2012|archive-date=August 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816230259/http://www.eonline.com/news/337595/chris-colfer-dishes-on-glee-project-finale-and-sarah-jessica-parker-plus-an-exclusive-sneak-peek|url-status=live}}

File:Glee - Single Ladies cropped.jpg, Colfer and Heather Morris during a performance of "Single Ladies" on the tour Glee Live! In Concert! in 2011|alt=The grayscale picture of three people, two women and a man, who dance and put their hands on their hips. The man wears a dark outfit, compound of a vest, a shirt and pants. The women wear similar leotards.]]

In a 2010 interview with Allison Kugel, Colfer stated that:

There have been a couple of times when I have gone to Ryan Murphy and told him a couple of things that have happened to me, and then he writes it into the show. Or he'll ask me what song I would want to sing, in this situation or in that situation. I don't think any of us directly try to give input on the character or on the storyline, but they definitely steal things from us.

Colfer won the 2011 Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Series for his performance as Kurt Hummel. In his emotional acceptance speech, he thanked Ryan Murphy for being his "fairy godfather" and dedicated the award to kids who have been bullied and told "they can't [...] have what they want because of who they are." He was twice nominated for an Emmy Award{{cite web|url=http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/chris-colfer|title=Chris Colfer|work=Television Academy|access-date=December 26, 2011|archive-date=June 28, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628182356/http://www.emmys.com/celebrities/chris-colfer|url-status=live}} in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series category for his portrayal of Kurt.

In 2013 and 2014, Colfer won consecutive People's Choice Awards for Favorite Comedic TV Actor. Both speeches he gave were praised by the media for being funny while making references to things like fanfiction and fanart to show his appreciation for fan culture.

{{Main|The Land of Stories}}

On June 8, 2011, Colfer signed a book deal with Little, Brown and Company to write two novels for children. The first book in the series, The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell, was released on July 17, 2012.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Chris-Colfer-Book-Deal-1034048.aspx |title=Chris Colfer Signs Children's Book Deal – Today's News: Our Take |magazine=TV Guide |date=June 8, 2011 |access-date=November 9, 2011 |archive-date=September 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903222700/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Chris-Colfer-Book-Deal-1034048.aspx |url-status=live }}https://www.amazon.com/The-Land-Stories-Wishing-Spell/dp/031620157X {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304215056/http://www.amazon.com/The-Land-Stories-Wishing-Spell/dp/031620157X |date=March 4, 2016 }} Amazon.com The books are about Conner and Alex Bailey, twins, who get their grandma's story book and go through adventures in "The Land of Stories".{{citation needed|date=August 2020}} For two weeks after the book's release, it was number one on The New York Times Best Seller list in the Children's Chapter Books category.New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-08-05/overview.html New York Times Best Sellers] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306114503/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2012-08-05/overview.html |date=March 6, 2016 }} August 5, 2012. Retrieved February 19, 2013.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/books/2012/07/26/chris-colfer-tops-new-york-times-best-sellers-list|title=Chris Colfer Tops New York Times Best Sellers List|magazine=Advocate|date=July 26, 2012|access-date=September 7, 2012|archive-date=August 16, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120816042424/http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/books/2012/07/26/chris-colfer-tops-new-york-times-best-sellers-list|url-status=live}}

The second book in the series, The Land of Stories: The Enchantress Returns (2013) debuted at number two on The New York Times Best Seller list, and by the end of 2013, it had spent eleven weeks in the top fifteen for Children's Middle Grade books.{{cite news |title=Best Sellers {{!}} The New York Times |url=http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2013-12-29/childrens-middle-grade/list.html |access-date=May 12, 2023 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=December 29, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305095840/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2013-12-29/childrens-middle-grade/list.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 }} Following the success of the first two books, Colfer contracted for an additional three books with Little, Brown: two novels and a picture book.{{cite web|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131017006272/en|title=#1 New York Times Bestselling Author Chris Colfer Builds on Success of Land of Stories Series with a New Three-Book Deal at Little, Brown Books for Young Readers|website=businesswire.com|date=October 17, 2013|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=February 23, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223004535/http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20131017006272/en#.Uu8kmPldXS4|url-status=live}}

The third book in the series, The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning, was released on July 8, 2014.{{cite book|url=http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/chris-colfer/the-land-of-stories-a-grimm-warning/9780316406819/|title=The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning|date=June 27, 2017|isbn=9780316406819|access-date=February 3, 2014|archive-date=February 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220111203/http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/chris-colfer/the-land-of-stories-a-grimm-warning/9780316406819/|url-status=live|last1=Colfer|first1=Chris|publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers }} Now considered a series, it reached No. 4 on The New York Times Best Seller list and spent four weeks on the list.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-07-27/series-books/list.html|title=Children's Series Books – Best Sellers – July 27, 2014 – The New York Times|access-date=May 20, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=March 22, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160322234909/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-07-27/series-books/list.html|url-status=live}}

Colfer's fourth novel, The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms, was released on July 7, 2015.{{cite book|url=http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/chris-colfer/the-land-of-stories-beyond-the-kingdoms/9780316406895/|title=The Land of Stories: Beyond the Kingdoms|date=June 27, 2017|isbn=9780316406895|access-date=July 15, 2015|archive-date=July 15, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715014957/http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/chris-colfer/the-land-of-stories-beyond-the-kingdoms/9780316406895/|url-status=live|last1=Colfer|first1=Chris|publisher=Little, Brown Books for Young Readers }} Following its release, The Land of Stories charted at No. 1 as a series on The New York Times Best Seller list for the first time on July 26.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-07-26/series-books/list.html|title=Children's Series Books – Best Sellers – July 26, 2015 – The New York Times|access-date=May 20, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=March 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160324041759/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2015-07-26/series-books/list.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-08-24/series-books/list.html|title=Children's Series Books – Best Sellers – August 24, 2014 – The New York Times|access-date=May 20, 2018|newspaper=The New York Times|archive-date=March 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160329061728/http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2014-08-24/series-books/list.html|url-status=live}}

The picture book, written by Colfer and illustrated by Brandon Dorman, The Curvy Tree was released in October 2015 and is based on a short original fairy tale of the same name, which Colfer first told in The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell.

The fifth book in the series, The Land of Stories: An Author's Odyssey, was released on July 12, 2016. The sixth and final installment, The Land of Stories: Worlds Collide was released on July 11, 2017.

In June 2017, it was announced that Colfer would make his directorial debut with a film adaptation of The Land of Stories: The Wishing Spell. He would also write the script and serve as one of the executive producers on the project.{{cite web|author=Patterson, Michael |url=https://moviepilot.com/p/glee-chris-colfer-land-of-stories-movie-book-adaptation/4294395 |title=A 'Glee'-ful Return: Chris Colfer Will Adapt & Direct A Movie Adaptation Of His Book Series, The Land Of Stories |website=moviepilot.com |date=June 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708063227/https://moviepilot.com/p/glee-chris-colfer-land-of-stories-movie-book-adaptation/4294395 |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |access-date=June 23, 2017}}

Colfer wrote, starred in, executive-produced, and novelized the coming-of-age comedy film Struck by Lightning. The plot revolves around Colfer's character, who is struck and killed by a bolt of lightning, and chronicles his exploits as he blackmails his fellow senior classmates into contributing to a literary magazine he is publishing. It was shot during the Glee hiatus in the summer of 2011 and had its world premiere in 2012 at the Tribeca Film Festival.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Chris-Colfer-Film-1026500.aspx|title= Glee's Chris Colfer Makes Leap to Big Screen for Lightning|magazine=TV Guide|access-date= December 8, 2010|date= December 7, 2010|archive-date= December 11, 2010|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20101211010300/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Chris-Colfer-Film-1026500.aspx|url-status= live}}

In March 2012, Colfer was featured in a performance of Dustin Lance Black's play, 8 – a staged reenactment of the federal trial that overturned California's Prop 8 ban on same-sex marriage – as Ryan Kendall.{{cite news |title=Glee Stars 'Touched' By Pitt & Clooney's Support Of '8' |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/jesse-tyler-ferguson/glee-stars-touched-by-brad-pitt-and-george-clooneys-support-of-8_article_61543|publisher=Access Hollywood. accesshollywood.com|access-date=March 18, 2012}} The production was held at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre and broadcast on YouTube to raise money for the American Foundation for Equal Rights.{{cite web|title="8": A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality| date=March 3, 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|via=YouTube|access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-date=April 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418035858/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|website=pinknews.co.uk|date=March 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304005919/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|url-status=live}}

Colfer landed a deal with the Disney Channel to adapt the book The Little Leftover Witch for a television pilot.Tim Stack, "Glee star Chris Colfer discusses his new pilot for Disney and Kurt's return to McKinley – EXCLUSIVE", Entertainment Weekly, April 22, 2011. He also wrote another movie, set in an asylum, which he planned to appear in as a supporting actor.{{cite web|url=http://www.eonline.com/news/376821/chris-colfer-s-new-asylum-movie-completely-different-from-ryan-murphy-s-american-horror-story|title=Chris Colfer's New Asylum Movie "Completely Different" From Ryan Murphy's American Horror Story|publisher=E!|last=Malkin|first=Marc|date=January 9, 2013|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221062022/http://www.eonline.com/news/376821/chris-colfer-s-new-asylum-movie-completely-different-from-ryan-murphy-s-american-horror-story|url-status=live}} However, both of these projects were delayed with no expected dates for production.

On January 28, 2014, it was announced that Colfer would star in a new 3D CG animated family film by Marza Animation Planet, Robodog, as the voice of the title character.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chris-colfer-ron-perlman-voice-674785|title=Chris Colfer, Ron Perlman to Voice 'Robodog' Anime Feature|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Blair|first=Gavin J|date=January 28, 2012|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=March 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140312035002/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chris-colfer-ron-perlman-voice-674785|url-status=live}} The film, which will costar Ron Perlman, is described as "a classic, heart-warming adventure story about an unlikely duo who couldn't be more different." The film's director, Henry F. Anderson III, said Colfer is "perfect" for the project because he "has an appealing, youthful voice which fits right in with our lead character, KC, who is above all a charismatic entertainer."{{cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=114084|title=Chris Colfer and Ron Perlman Will Lend Their Voices to RoboDog|website=comingsoon.net|date=January 28, 2014|access-date=February 2, 2014|archive-date=February 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140220164006/http://www.comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=114084|url-status=live}} Vocal recording for the film began on February 1, 2014. The film is now in post-production, though as of 2019 no release date has been set.{{cite web |title=Marza Animation Planet Films |url=https://www.marza.com/en/works/works-cat/film/ |website=Marza Animation Planet |access-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-date=July 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709083015/https://www.marza.com/en/works/works-cat/film/ |url-status=live }}

After a few months of planning, it was revealed in March 2014, that Colfer had been asked by Glee{{'}}s producers to write an episode.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2014/03/17/chris-colfer-writing-glee-episode-season-5|title=Glee Exclusive: Chris Colfer to Pen Episode|website=tvline.com|last=Ausiello|first=Michael|date=March 17, 2014|access-date=March 20, 2014|archive-date=March 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320233431/http://tvline.com/2014/03/17/chris-colfer-writing-glee-episode-season-5/|url-status=live}} About the offer, Colfer said: "I've been asked in interviews if I ever wanted to write [an episode of Glee], and I said, 'Absolutely not because it was not my world.' I didn't want to tamper with someone else's image. Then they were like, 'Here, come tamper.'"{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2014/03/19/glee-miley-cyrus-tribute-episode-chris-colfer-season-6-spoilers|title=Chris Colfer on Writing Glee Episode: Expect 'Animals and the Elderly' (But No Miley Cyrus)|website=tvline.com|last=Swift|first=Andy|date=March 19, 2014|access-date=March 20, 2014|archive-date=March 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140319213039/http://tvline.com/2014/03/19/glee-miley-cyrus-tribute-episode-chris-colfer-season-6-spoilers/|url-status=live}} The title of the episode, which aired in May 2014, is "Old Dog, New Tricks".{{cite web|url=http://instagram.com/p/mYWgMCNdaX|title=Instagram|access-date=April 8, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714124605/http://instagram.com/p/mYWgMCNdaX|url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=January 2025}}

In 2014, Colfer guest starred on an episode of Hot in Cleveland as Tony, Victoria's son. In March 2015, Jane Leeves posted an image on Twitter confirming that Colfer would be returning to an episode titled "All About Elka" in the show's final season. Colfer, other guest star Carol Burnett and Betty White all sang and performed in a 'musical' being directed by Victoria (Wendie Malick).{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

On May 14, 2015, it was made public that the biopic Colfer has been mentioning for almost a year was going to be about Noël Coward with the working title Noel, with Colfer in the title role.{{cite web|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/glees-colfer-joins-noel-coward-biopic/5071684.article|title=Glee's Chris Colfer to star in Noel Coward biopic|website=screendaily.com|access-date=May 27, 2014|archive-date=May 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527211909/http://www.screendaily.com/news/glees-colfer-joins-noel-coward-biopic/5071684.article|url-status=live}} Colfer prepared for the role in London. The film would be directed by Joe Stephenson. While filming was expected to begin sometime during the summer of 2015, it has been delayed.

In 2016, he played Christopher in Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie. He had been offered the role by Jennifer Saunders after he invited her to the Glee: Live tour in 2011. He also appeared as a guest judge in Chopped Junior.

In 2017, Colfer announced he would develop a new TV show called Indigo, a sci-fi drama about indigo children who are misdiagnosed as having mental or physical illnesses, when they really possess supernatural abilities. TV Line reported that Indigo would be offered for sale to streaming services and television networks, with Colfer writing and directing the pilot episode, and co-executive producing with Keith Quinn and Rob Weisbach.{{cite web|url=http://tvline.com/2017/02/16/chris-colfer-new-tv-series-indigo-kids-powers/|title=Glee's Chris Colfer Developing, Starring in Sci-Fi Drama About Kids With Powers|website=tvline.com|date=February 16, 2017|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428051950/http://tvline.com/2017/02/16/chris-colfer-new-tv-series-indigo-kids-powers/|url-status=live}}

Colfer will star as Boyd in a horror film titled The Restoration at Grayson Manor, which is set to be released in fall 2025.{{cite web|url=https://filminstitut.at/en/movies/the-restoration-at-grayson-manor|title=The Restoration at Grayson Manor|website=filminstitut.at|date=May 6, 2024|access-date=April 26, 2025}}

In 2012, Colfer released a companion book to his film Struck by Lightning, called Struck By Lightning: The Carson Phillips Journal.{{cite web|url=http://www.kidzworld.com/article/27767-chris-colfer-was-struck-by-lightning|title=Chris Colfer was Struck by Lightning|website=kidzworld.com|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428052033/http://www.kidzworld.com/article/27767-chris-colfer-was-struck-by-lightning|url-status=live}}

In early 2017, Colfer released his second book for young adult readers called Stranger Than Fanfiction.{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2016/10/17/chris-colfer-stranger-than-fanfiction-cover-exclusive/|title=Chris Colfer debuts Stranger Than Fanfiction cover|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|access-date=February 18, 2020|archive-date=December 5, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205191100/https://ew.com/article/2016/10/17/chris-colfer-stranger-than-fanfiction-cover-exclusive/|url-status=live}} The book follows the story of Cash Carter, a world-famous television star who decides to take a cross-country road trip with four of his biggest fans, as they are getting ready to enter college.{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2017/02/24/stranger-than-fanfiction-chris-colfer-glee-book-review/98152890/|title=Chris Colfer's new teen novel stars a bad-boy actor|newspaper=USA Today|access-date=April 27, 2017|archive-date=April 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428061037/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2017/02/24/stranger-than-fanfiction-chris-colfer-glee-book-review/98152890/|url-status=live}}

On October 1, 2019, Colfer came out with a new book, A Tale of Magic.... It is a prequel to the Land of Stories series. The sequel, A Tale of Witchcraft..., was published on September 29, 2020, with the final part, A Tale of Sorcery... published on September 28, 2021.

Colfer's new projects include a series of children's books with space and UFOs as a theme. The first book, "Roswell Johnson Saves the World" was published on June 4, 2024.[https://apnews.com/article/chris-colfer-roswell-johnson-fantasy-a352eeecb1add79210fba2429dbfe1cc "Chris Colfer's new book series for young people will launch in 2024"], Associated Press, October 10, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2024.[https://thelandofstories.com/roswelljohnsonsavestheworld "thelandofstories.com"]. Retrieved March 16, 2024.

In an interview with Chelsea Handler in December 2009, Colfer stated that he is gay.{{cite web|url=https://www.glaad.org/2009/12/04/glees-chris-colfer-comes-out|title=Glee's Chris Colfer Comes Out|work=GLAAD |date=September 14, 2011|access-date=June 18, 2019|archive-date=June 18, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190618134043/https://www.glaad.org/2009/12/04/glees-chris-colfer-comes-out|url-status=live}} He has been in a relationship with actor and producer Will Sherrod since 2013.{{Cite web|title=Photos from The Real Life Loves of Glee's Big Stars|url=https://www.eonline.com/photos/30866/the-real-life-loves-of-glee-s-big-stars|access-date=October 6, 2020|publisher=E!|archive-date=October 8, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201008081341/https://www.eonline.com/photos/30866/the-real-life-loves-of-glee-s-big-stars|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last=Dilip|first=Mangala|date=May 27, 2015|title=Chris Colfer Turns 25; Rare Photos, Unknown Facts about the 'Glee' Star|url=https://www.ibtimes.co.in/chris-colfer-turns-25-rare-photos-unknown-facts-about-glee-star-633725|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=International Business Times, India Edition|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009051648/https://www.ibtimes.co.in/chris-colfer-turns-25-rare-photos-unknown-facts-about-glee-star-633725|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|last1=Oct 31, 2013|first1=Oscar Lopez {{!}}|last2=Edt|first2=09:24pm|date=October 31, 2013|title=Celeb Couples Halloween Costumes 2013: See Photos Of Neil Patrick Harris, Chris Colfer, Rachel Zoe With Their Partner In Costume!|url=https://www.latintimes.com/celeb-couples-halloween-costumes-2013-see-photos-neil-patrick-harris-chris-colfer-rachel-zoe-their|access-date=October 6, 2020|website=Latin Times|language=en|archive-date=October 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009014641/https://www.latintimes.com/celeb-couples-halloween-costumes-2013-see-photos-neil-patrick-harris-chris-colfer-rachel-zoe-their|url-status=live}}

Colfer appeared on the British chat show Friday Night with Jonathan Ross in June 2010, together with his fellow Glee co-stars Amber Riley and Matthew Morrison. He demonstrated his skill with a pair of sai, revealing that he bought a pair on eBay and regularly practices in his trailer. He also mentioned that he would like it if his sai could be worked into an episode of Glee; they first appeared in the season 3 episode "I Am Unicorn", during Colfer's character Kurt Hummel's performance of "I'm the Greatest Star" from the musical Funny Girl.{{cite video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZl1QBOW5X0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/DZl1QBOW5X0 |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Chris Colfer show his sai swords skills – Friday Night With Jonathan Ross"|work=Friday Night With Jonathan Ross|publisher=BBC|access-date=June 19, 2010}}

During the 2022 Los Angeles mayoral election, Colfer endorsed Democratic candidate Karen Bass (who would later be elected) and donated to her campaign.{{cite web |title=L.A. Mayor Race Celebs, Big Shots Putting Up $$$ ... Toward Bass, Caruso's Campaigns |url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/07/la-mayor-race-celebrity-big-shot-money-campaign-los-angeles-karen-bass-rick-caruso/ |access-date=May 12, 2023 |work=TMZ |date=July 11, 2022}}

Colfer is an active supporter of the It Gets Better campaign and The Trevor Project, creating an It Gets Better video after the Glee episode "Never Been Kissed" aired; he dedicated his 2011 Golden Globe Award to bullied kids in LGBTQ communities.

In 2013, Colfer filmed a public service announcement (PSA) with Elmo about anti-bullying for Sesame Street in Communities,{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QowqVUQhjwU |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/QowqVUQhjwU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=Chris Colfer & Elmo Talk About Bullying|date=December 10, 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}} and participated in the Course of the Force run benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation.{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-hHg-eQyWg|title=CHRIS COLFER Extended Interview – Course of the Force 2013: Day 1|date=July 12, 2013|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}} In 2014, he participated in a PSA about Let Girls Learn, put out by the U.S. Agency for International Development.{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anne-hathaway-jennifer-garner-encourage-713622|title=Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Garner Encourage Education for Young Women in PSA|date=June 20, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014|website=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Gajewski|first=Ryan|archive-date=July 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140720044050/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/anne-hathaway-jennifer-garner-encourage-713622|url-status=live}} On Hollywood Game Night, hosted by Glee co-star Jane Lynch, Colfer won $6,000 and donated it to the Make-a-Wish Foundation of America.

Colfer was a co-chair for the Elton John AIDS Foundation Academy Award Party in 2013 and 2014. He is a coalition member of Uprising of Love, an organization which supports the safety and dignity of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Intersex (LGBTI) Russians.{{cite web|url=http://www.frontiersla.com/frontiers-blog/2014/03/28/melissa-etheridge-uprising-of-love-music-video-a-kiss-to-lgbt-russians|title=Melissa Etheridge 'Uprising of Love' Music Video a Kiss to LGBT Russians|date=March 28, 2014|access-date=July 1, 2014|last=Ocamb|first=Karen|website=frontiersla.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714180310/http://www.frontiersla.com/frontiers-blog/2014/03/28/melissa-etheridge-uprising-of-love-music-video-a-kiss-to-lgbt-russians|archive-date=July 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}

{{notelist}}

{{Reflist|2}}

• {{cite news

| title = Glee Star Chris Colfer Shares His Best Behind-the-Scenes Moments and Surreal Adventures

| first = Allison

| last = Kugel

| author-link = Allison Kugel

| url = http://www.pr.com/article/1151

| publisher=PR.com

| date = April 26, 2010

}}

{{Commons category|Chris Colfer}}

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• {{Emmys person|chris-colfer}}
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