Melissa Benoist

Benoist was born in Houston, Texas, to Julie and Jim Benoist, a physician.{{Cite magazine |last=Jacobs |first=Laura |title=Why Supergirl Star Melissa Benoist Is the "Annie Hall of Superheroes" |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/12/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170309225418/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/12/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist |archive-date=March 9, 2017 |access-date=June 12, 2018 |magazine=Vanity Fair|date=December 8, 2015 }}{{Cite web |last=Ostrow |first=Joanne |date=August 6, 2015 |title=Melissa Benoist, a Colorado native, takes flight as TV's 'Supergirl' |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2015/08/06/melissa-benoist-a-colorado-native-takes-flight-as-tvs-supergirl/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2017 |website=Denver Post |location=Colorado |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170914230814/http://www.denverpost.com/2015/08/06/melissa-benoist-a-colorado-native-takes-flight-as-tvs-supergirl/}} They divorced when she was thirteen years old in 2002.{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/melissa-benoist/id1479711891?i=1000542806486 |title= Melissa Benoist |publisher= Work in Progress with Sophia Bush|host= Sophia Bush |date= November 23, 2021|time= 35:00|access-date= February 8, 2022}}{{Cite web |last=Tishgart |first=Sierra |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Melissa Benoist Reveals How She Landed the Role of Marley Rose on 'Glee' |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/melissa-benoist-glee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223095513/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/melissa-benoist-glee |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2017 |website=Teen Vogue}} Her paternal great-grandfather was of French descent.{{Cite web |date=November 13, 2015 |title=Benoist Pronunciation |url=http://latenightfeud.com/video/a-pronunciation-guide-for-saoirse-ronan-melissa-benoist/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615083148/http://latenightfeud.com/video/a-pronunciation-guide-for-saoirse-ronan-melissa-benoist/ |archive-date=June 15, 2018 |access-date=June 15, 2018}} She has two sisters: Jessica, a novelist, and Kristina, an ecological scientist, and five half-siblings from her father's remarriage.{{Cite web |date=November 9, 2015 |title=10 Things You Didn't Know About Melissa Benoist |url=http://whatculture.com/tv/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-melissa-benoist?page=8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180807190257/http://whatculture.com/tv/10-things-you-didnt-know-about-melissa-benoist?page=8 |archive-date=August 7, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Moore |first=John |date=September 22, 2006 |title=Can't Miss Kids |work=Denver Post |location=Colorado |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2006/09/21/cant-miss-kids/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170914235702/http://www.denverpost.com/2006/09/21/cant-miss-kids/ |archive-date=September 14, 2017}}{{Cite web |title=Arapahoe High School – Warriors, Always Take Care of One Another |url=http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727003005/http://arapahoe.littletonpublicschools.net/ |archive-date=July 27, 2011 |access-date=March 6, 2015 |website=Arapahoe High School}} She was raised mostly by her mother in the suburbs of Denver, Colorado, after her parents' separation.{{Cite web |date=November 26, 2012 |title=Melissa Benoist Reveals How She Landed the Role of Marley Rose on 'Glee' |url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/melissa-benoist-glee |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171223095513/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/melissa-benoist-glee |archive-date=December 23, 2017 |access-date=December 11, 2017}} Growing up in Colorado, a large part of her childhood was spent exploring national parks and immersing herself in nature.{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/melissa-benoist/id1479711891?i=1000542806486 |title= Melissa Benoist |publisher= Work in Progress with Sophia Bush|host= Sophia Bush |date= November 23, 2021|time=7:30 |access-date= February 8, 2022}}

She started dance classes at the age of three in 1992, focusing on jazz, ballet, and tap.{{Cite web |last=Bennett |first=Alexis |date=July 13, 2015 |title=Supergirl's Melissa Benoist Shares What It Really Takes to Transform Into a Superhero |url=https://www.instyle.com/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-interview |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180919171901/https://www.instyle.com/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-interview |archive-date=September 19, 2018 |access-date=September 19, 2018 |website=InStyle}}{{Cite news |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Supergirl: Melissa Benoist on landing the role of a lifetime, and empowering women |publisher=Entertainment Weekly |url=https://ew.com/article/2015/07/02/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cbs-interview/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 12, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911224637/http://ew.com/article/2015/07/02/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cbs-interview/ |archive-date=September 11, 2017}} When she was four years old, her aunt put her in a church play she was directing in 1993; after that, she began doing community children's theatre in her hometown.{{Cite web |date=October 26, 2015 |title=Former Colleagues of Supergirl in Littleton Remember Melissa Benoist Having Natural Talent |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/10/26/former-colleagues-of-supergirl-in-littleton-remember-melissa-benoist-having-natural-talent/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205015340/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2015/10/26/former-colleagues-of-supergirl-in-littleton-remember-melissa-benoist-having-natural-talent/ |archive-date=February 5, 2017 |access-date=February 4, 2018}}

As a teenager, Benoist performed anonymously at Disneyland in various medleys of musical songs for three summers with the Academy of Theatre Arts, a musical theatre school she was attending, located in Littleton, Colorado, run by Paul Dwyer and Alann Worley.{{Cite web |last=Moore |first=John |date=September 6, 2012 |title=Glee adds a new cast member from Colorado: Melissa Benoist |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2012/09/06/glee-adds-a-new-cast-member-from-colorado-melissa-benoist/ |url-status=live |access-date=August 12, 2017 |publisher=The Denver Post |archive-date=October 26, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161026042458/http://www.denverpost.com/2012/09/06/glee-adds-a-new-cast-member-from-colorado-melissa-benoist/}} She performed locally in a number of theatrical productions, including A Month in the Country, Cinderella, A Chorus Line, and Bye Bye Birdie at the Town Hall Arts Center, a professional theatre located in the Denver metro area. Instead of attending high school graduation parties, she performed the play Evita with other cast members at the former Country Dinner Playhouse.{{Cite news |date=May 24, 2007 |title="Evita" players make passionate exit |work=Denver Post |last=Moore |first=John |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2007/05/24/moore-evita-players-make-passionate-exit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227035243/https://www.denverpost.com/2007/05/24/moore-evita-players-make-passionate-exit/ |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=February 26, 2018}}

In 2006, The Denver Post named Benoist one of Colorado's five "Can't Miss Kids". She graduated from Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, in 2007,{{Cite web |date=May 2007 |title=Congratulations, Arapahoe High School grads |url=http://yourhub.denverpost.com/southmetro/congratulations-arapahoe-high-school-grads/RFm7BRq7kMf492UBvhElyK-ugc |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308124838/http://yourhub.denverpost.com/southmetro/congratulations-arapahoe-high-school-grads/RFm7BRq7kMf492UBvhElyK-ugc |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=May 16, 2017}} and then moved to New York City to pursue a career in musical theatre.{{Cite web |last=Hayes |first=Dade |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Melissa Benoist On Playing Broadway's Carole King, 'Supergirl's' Topical Shift And 'Glee' Castmate Demi Lovato: Q&A |url=https://deadline.com/2018/07/melissa-benoist-playing-carole-king-on-broadway-supergirl-getting-topical-glee-castmate-demi-lovato-1202434727/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180901080538/https://deadline.com/2018/07/melissa-benoist-playing-carole-king-on-broadway-supergirl-getting-topical-glee-castmate-demi-lovato-1202434727/ |archive-date=September 1, 2018 |access-date=September 9, 2018 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} She initially attended Marymount Manhattan College for the BFA musical theatre program but in her sophomore year, she switched majors to theatre, due to her admiration for 19th-century Russian plays. She graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts in 2011.{{Cite web |last=Kardell |first=Kelli |date=October 4, 2012 |title=From MMC to McKinley High: Alumna Melissa Benoist |url=http://www.mmcthemonitor.com/2012/10/from-mmc-to-mckinley-high-alumna-melissa-benoist/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813103923/http://www.mmcthemonitor.com/2012/10/from-mmc-to-mckinley-high-alumna-melissa-benoist/ |archive-date=August 13, 2017 |access-date=May 16, 2017 |publisher=MMC The Monitor}}{{Cite web |last=Coryell |first=Katie |date=March 1, 2016 |title=Amazing Alumni: MMC Edition! |url=https://marymount.freshu.io/katie-coryell/amazing-alumni-mmc-edition |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170815070037/https://marymount.freshu.io/katie-coryell/amazing-alumni-mmc-edition |archive-date=August 15, 2017 |access-date=August 14, 2017}} While attending college, she played Millie Dilmount in an urban off-off-Broadway production of Thoroughly Modern Millie and Rosalind in As You Like It at the Theresa Lang Theatre.{{Cite web |date=November 16, 2009 |title=Marymount Manhattan College Presents AS YOU LIKE IT 11/18-11/22 |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Marymount-Manhattan-College-Presents-AS-YOU-LIKE-IT-11181122-20091116 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100023/https://www.broadwayworld.com/off-broadway/article/Marymount-Manhattan-College-Presents-AS-YOU-LIKE-IT-11181122-20091116 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=September 21, 2017 |website=BroadwayWorld.com}}

Benoist's first film was Tennessee in 2008 along with singer Mariah Carey.{{Cite web |title=Melissa Benoist |url=http://hollywoodlife.com/celeb/melissa-benoist/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170324214958/http://hollywoodlife.com/celeb/melissa-benoist/ |archive-date=March 24, 2017 |access-date=March 25, 2017}} Afterwards, she made guest appearances on shows like Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Blue Bloods, Homeland, and The Good Wife, while attending college. She played Kelly in the 2011 Goodspeed Musicals theatrical production of The Unauthorized Autobiography of Samantha Brown by Bree Lowdermilk and Kait Kerrigan at the Norma Terris Theatre.{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Kenneth |date=August 4, 2011 |title=Meghann Fahy Is Samantha Brown in New Goodspeed Musical; Andrew Durand, Stephen Bogardus Co-Star |url=http://www.playbill.com/article/meghann-fahy-is-samantha-brown-in-new-goodspeed-musical-andrew-durand-stephen-bogardus-co-star-com-181473 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170922100115/http://www.playbill.com/article/meghann-fahy-is-samantha-brown-in-new-goodspeed-musical-andrew-durand-stephen-bogardus-co-star-com-181473 |archive-date=September 22, 2017 |access-date=September 22, 2017 |website=Playbill |quote=The company of the new musical by Brian Lowdermilk (music) and Kait Kerrigan (book and lyrics) also features Melissa Benoist as Kelly;...}}

File:Melissa Benoist at the 6th Annual Thirst Project Thirst Gala - adj & cropped.jpg

In May 2012, she auditioned for the musical comedy-drama series Glee in New York at the Roundabout Theatre Company, singing a different song for each of her five auditions including: "Fidelity" by Regina Spektor, "King of Anything" by Sara Bareilles, a Colbie Caillat song, and several musical theatre pieces. In July,{{Cite web |date=November 2012 |title=Who Is Melissa Benoist? All About Glee Season 4's Marley |url=http://www.wetpaint.com/glee/articles/who-is-melissa-benoist-all-about-marley-glee-season-4s-new-rachel |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514002628/http://www.wetpaint.com/glee/articles/who-is-melissa-benoist-all-about-marley-glee-season-4s-new-rachel |archive-date=May 14, 2013 |access-date=August 7, 2013 |website=wetpaint.com}} she had two screen tests in California for series creator/writer, Ryan Murphy, the casting directors, and executive producers. She portrayed Marley Rose on the fourth and fifth seasons of Glee. Her first appearance as Marley Rose was in the first episode of season four, titled "The New Rachel". Because the creators had been looking for Marley for a long time, she started working the day she found out she got the job. Benoist's first performance was a duet of "New York State of Mind" with Lea Michele, during the first episode of season 4. The cover of the song reached twenty-four on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles chart.{{Cite magazine |date=September 29, 2012 |title=Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles |magazine=Billboard}} She and Glee co-star Darren Criss appeared with Josh Duhamel in the opening of the 2013 Kids' Choice Awards.{{Cite web |date=March 24, 2013 |title=Darren Criss & Melissa Benoist With Josh Duhamel on Kids Choice Awards 2013 23/03/13 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdSHll0rqg8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307204354/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdSHll0rqg8 |archive-date=March 7, 2016 |access-date=March 6, 2015 |website=YouTube}} That same year, she was selected as an ambassador for Coca-Cola's new product, P10 300 mL Coke Mismo.[http://www.raindeocampo.com/2013/06/09/the-cast-of-glee-for-coke "The Cast of GLEE for Coke] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616051931/http://www.raindeocampo.com/2013/06/09/the-cast-of-glee-for-coke/ |date=June 16, 2013 }}, raindeocampo.com, June 2013.{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Peppermint |date=June 10, 2013 |title=Shaken, Not Stirred: Coke Launch with Glee Stars |url=http://statusmagonline.com/shaken-not-stirred-coke-launch-with-glee-stars/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402104429/http://statusmagonline.com/shaken-not-stirred-coke-launch-with-glee-stars/ |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2015 |website=Status Magazine online}} In June 2013, they were flown to Manila, Philippines, to endorse the product by visiting various malls and meeting with fans.{{Cite web |date=June 8, 2013 |title='Glee' cast members invade 3 malls |url=http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/30904-glee-cast-members-manila-malls |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130715074624/http://www.rappler.com/entertainment/30904-glee-cast-members-manila-malls |archive-date=July 15, 2013}}{{Cite news |last=Yang |first=Tatin |date=June 9, 2013 |title=Newest Glee stars overwhelmed by Pinoys' welcome |newspaper=Philippine Daily Inquirer |url=http://entertainment.inquirer.net/97783/newest-glee-stars-overwhelmed-by-pinoys-welcome |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613034729/http://entertainment.inquirer.net/97783/newest-glee-stars-overwhelmed-by-pinoys-welcome |archive-date=June 13, 2013}} She, along with several other actors, was not called back for Glee in early 2014.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=January 22, 2015 |title=Melissa Benoist Is Supergirl: CBS Pilot Casts 'Glee' Actress In Lead Role |url=https://deadline.com/2015/01/melissa-benoist-supergirl-cast-cbs-pilot-glee-1201355085/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150124042258/http://deadline.com/2015/01/melissa-benoist-supergirl-cast-cbs-pilot-glee-1201355085/ |archive-date=January 24, 2015 |access-date=January 23, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Lesley |date=January 22, 2015 |title='Glee,' 'Whiplash' Breakout Set as CBS' 'Supergirl' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-melissa-benoist-glee-whiplash-754208 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150705071955/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-melissa-benoist-glee-whiplash-754208 |archive-date=July 5, 2015 |access-date=January 23, 2015 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Denise |date=April 15, 2014 |title=Ryan Murphy on Glee's Final Season: New Location and Smaller Cast |url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/04/ryan-murphy-glee-final-season-teaser-interview.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181023053918/http://www.vulture.com/2014/04/ryan-murphy-glee-final-season-teaser-interview.html |archive-date=October 23, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |website=Vulture.com}}{{Cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |date=April 15, 2014 |title=Glee Boss Ryan Murphy Reveals Game Plan for 'Satisfying' Final Season (Who'll Be Back?!); Plus -- Inside the 'Painful' Rachel Romance Debate |url=https://tvline.com/2014/04/15/glee-season-6-spoilers-returning-cast/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171210183637/http://tvline.com/2014/04/15/glee-season-6-spoilers-returning-cast/ |archive-date=December 10, 2017 |access-date=March 8, 2019 |website=TVLine}}

In mid-2013, Benoist and Blake Jenner held a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the production of their feature film Billy Boy. The project reached its $100,000 goal.{{Cite web |title=BILLY BOY |url=https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2064903629/billy-boy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908063400/https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2064903629/billy-boy |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2017 |website=Kickstarter}} Benoist played Nicole in Damien Chazelle's 2014 independent drama film Whiplash,{{Cite news |last= |date=September 11, 2013 |title='Fast & Furious 7' Adds Djimon Hounsou; 'Glee's Melissa Benoist Gets 'Whiplash'; Liana Liberato Joins 'If I Stay' |work=Deadline Hollywood |url=https://deadline.com/2013/09/djimon-hounsou-fast-and-furious-7-584721/ |url-status=live |access-date=November 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208142108/http://deadline.com/2013/09/djimon-hounsou-fast-and-furious-7-584721/ |archive-date=December 8, 2015}} which won top prizes (Grand Jury and Audience awards) at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. In June 2014, she joined Nicholas Sparks' film adaption The Longest Ride as Marcia.{{Cite web |last=Yamato |first=Jen |date=June 24, 2014 |title='Glee's Melissa Benoist Joins 'The Longest Ride'; 'Sicario' Adds 'Captain America 2's Maximiliano Hernandez; Shane Black Rebooting 'Predator' |url=https://deadline.com/2014/06/glee-melissa-benoist-longest-ride-captain-america-sicario-maximiliano-hernandez-795391/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151009092152/http://deadline.com/2014/06/glee-melissa-benoist-longest-ride-captain-america-sicario-maximiliano-hernandez-795391/ |archive-date=October 9, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} She had a role in the 2015 film Danny Collins. She played the part of Jamie, a desk clerk at a hotel frequented by one of Jamie's all-time favorite rock stars.{{Cite web |last= |date=July 11, 2013 |title=Melissa Benoist Joins 'Imagine'; Natalie Dormer Cast In 'Posh'; Carter Jenkins Leads 'Skate God' |url=https://deadline.com/2013/07/carter-jenkins-melissa-benoist-natalie-dormer-539454/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322190750/http://deadline.com/2013/07/carter-jenkins-melissa-benoist-natalie-dormer-539454/ |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |access-date=March 6, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} That same year, Benoist also played Becky Thatcher in Band of Robbers, a modern-day retelling of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. In May 2015, it was announced that Benoist would be playing Lorelai in the film Low Riders, replacing Lily Collins and Nicola Peltz, who were in talks for the role previously.{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=May 21, 2015 |title='Supergirl' Star Melissa Benoist Climbs Into 'Lowriders' Movie |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cast-lowriders-movie-1201431076/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150909111617/http://deadline.com/2015/05/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cast-lowriders-movie-1201431076/ |archive-date=September 9, 2015 |access-date=September 5, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} In August of that year, she landed the leading role in the Screen Gems drama feature film Oxford.{{Cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr |date=August 27, 2015 |title='Supergirl's Melissa Benoist, 'Outlander's Sam Heughan Set For Screen Gems Love Story 'Oxford' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/08/melissa-benoist-sam-heughan-supergirl-outlander-oxford-screen-gems-1201508401/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151028072958/http://deadline.com/2015/08/melissa-benoist-sam-heughan-supergirl-outlander-oxford-screen-gems-1201508401/ |archive-date=October 28, 2015 |access-date=November 1, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}}

In October 2015, the superhero adventure series Supergirl, with Benoist in the lead role of Kara Zor-El, premiered on CBS.{{Cite web |last=Roy |first=Jessica |date=July 12, 2015 |title=Peter Facinelli Has Joined Supergirl – But Will He Be Good or Evil? |url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/peter-facinelli-supergirl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150714234622/http://www.tvguide.com/news/peter-facinelli-supergirl/ |archive-date=July 14, 2015 |access-date=July 15, 2015 |website=TV Guide}}{{Cite magazine |last=Abrams |first=Natalie |date=July 2, 2015 |title=Supergirl: Melissa Benoist on landing the role of a lifetime, and empowering women |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/02/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cbs-interview |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703143945/http://www.ew.com/article/2015/07/02/supergirl-melissa-benoist-cbs-interview |archive-date=July 3, 2015 |access-date=July 3, 2015 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}}{{Cite web |date=May 13, 2015 |title=CBS Fall 2015 Schedule: 'Supergirl' Opens Monday, 'Life In Pieces' Follows 'Big Bang' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/05/cbs-fall-schedule-2015-upfronts-new-shows-supergirl-life-in-pieces-1201425659/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151212162733/http://deadline.com/2015/05/cbs-fall-schedule-2015-upfronts-new-shows-supergirl-life-in-pieces-1201425659/ |archive-date=December 12, 2015 |access-date=December 11, 2015 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} She became the first woman to lead a prime time superhero TV series since Wonder Woman went off the air in 1979 and Lindsay Wagner’s The Bionic Woman in 1978.{{Cite book |title=Current Biography Yearbook 2017 |date=2017 |publisher=Grey House Publishing |isbn=978-1-61925-848-8 |location=Ipswich, Massachusetts |pages=43–45 |oclc=908375649}} The premiere was watched by 12.96{{nbsp}}million viewers and received a full season order by CBS on November 30, 2015. She was reportedly the first actress looked at for the role. Benoist generally received positive reviews for her portrayal of Kara Zor-El.{{Cite web |last=Wheatley |first=Cliff |date=October 20, 2015 |title=SUPERGIRL: "PILOT" REVIEW |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/18/supergirl-pilot-review |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151020002523/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/10/18/supergirl-pilot-review |archive-date=October 20, 2015 |access-date=October 20, 2015 |website=IGN}} The series later moved to The CW before its second-season premiere.{{Cite web |last=Wagmeister |first=Elizabeth |date=May 18, 2016 |title=CBS President Explains 'Supergirl' Moving to the CW |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/news/supergirl-cbs-president-reaction-cw-1201777795/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219041452/http://variety.com/2016/tv/news/supergirl-cbs-president-reaction-cw-1201777795/ |archive-date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |website=Variety}} She reprised her role in The CW's Arrowverse crossovers "Invasion!", "Crisis on Earth-X", "Elseworlds", and "Crisis on Infinite Earths" as well as The Flash musical episode "Duet". She reprised her role as Earth-X's Supergirl doppelgänger Overgirl in the CW Seed animated series Freedom Fighters: The Ray. The actress made her directorial debut for one episode during season five.{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=John |date=July 16, 2019 |title=Supergirl Star Melissa Benoist To Direct Season 5 Episode |url=https://screenrant.com/supergirl-season-5-melissa-benoist-director/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191223194601/https://screenrant.com/supergirl-season-5-melissa-benoist-director/ |archive-date=December 23, 2019 |access-date=December 23, 2019 |website=ScreenRant.com}} For her portrayal of Supergirl, she received the Breakthrough Performance Award at The 42nd Saturn Awards and two Best Actress on a Television Series Award at the 44th and 45th Saturn Awards respectively. The series concluded on November 9, 2021, after six seasons and 126 episodes.{{cite magazine |last=Agard |first=Chancellor |title='Supergirl' series finale recap: Will the real Kara Danvers please stand up? |url=https://ew.com/tv/recaps/supergirl-series-finale-recap/ |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=November 10, 2021 |date=November 9, 2021}}

File:SDCC 2017 - Jeremy Jordan, Melissa Benoist and David Harewood 01 (cropped2).jpg

In May 2016, Benoist was cast as Katherine Russell, the widow of deceased Boston Marathon bomber Tamerlan Tsarnaev, in Peter Berg's drama film Patriots Day.{{Cite web |last=McNary |first=Dave |date=May 5, 2016 |title='Supergirl's' Melissa Benoist, Khandi Alexander Join Mark Wahlberg's 'Patriots Day' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/mark-wahlberg-patriots-day-melissa-benoist-khandi-alexander-1201767656/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170814054820/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/mark-wahlberg-patriots-day-melissa-benoist-khandi-alexander-1201767656/ |archive-date=August 14, 2017 |access-date=August 15, 2017 |website=Variety}} In June, it was announced that she was set to star in the comedy-drama film Sun Dogs.{{Cite web |last=Hipes |first=Patrick |date=June 1, 2016 |title=Michael Angarano & Melissa Benoist To Star In Jennifer Morrison's 'Sun Dogs' |url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/sun-dogs-movie-melissa-benoist-michael-angarano-jennifer-morrison-anthony-tambakis-1201765191/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908020543/http://deadline.com/2016/06/sun-dogs-movie-melissa-benoist-michael-angarano-jennifer-morrison-anthony-tambakis-1201765191/ |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |access-date=September 7, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood}} Also in that month, the Human Rights Campaign released a video in tribute to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting; in the video, Benoist and others told the stories of the people killed there.{{Cite web |date=June 29, 2016 |title=49 Celebrities Honor 49 Victims of Orlando Tragedy | Human Rights Campaign |url=http://www.hrc.org/blog/watch-49-celebrities-honor-49-victims-of-orlando-tragedy-in-new-ryan-murphy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701211701/http://www.hrc.org/blog/watch-49-celebrities-honor-49-victims-of-orlando-tragedy-in-new-ryan-murphy |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |access-date=June 30, 2016 |website=Hrc.org}}{{Cite news |last=Rothaus |first=Steve |date=June 12, 2016 |title=Pulse Orlando shooting scene a popular LGBT club where employees, patrons 'like family' |work=The Miami Herald |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article83301677.html |url-status=live |access-date=June 15, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160615082724/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/gay-south-florida/article83301677.html |archive-date=June 15, 2016}} In April 2017, Benoist was cast as Rachel Koresh, the legal wife of Branch Davidian cult leader David Koresh in Paramount Network's miniseries Waco.{{Cite web |last=Andreeva |first=Nellie |date=April 21, 2017 |title=Melissa Benoist & Julia Garner To Co-Star In 'Waco' Event Series For Par Network |url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/melissa-benoist-julia-garner-cast-waco-paramount-network-event-series-1202073774/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 14, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170914231326/http://deadline.com/2017/04/melissa-benoist-julia-garner-cast-waco-paramount-network-event-series-1202073774/}} Benoist was featured in "The Super Duper Minecraft Musical!" which was made for Minecraft's Super Duper Graphics Pack in November.{{Cite magazine |last=Khan |first=Imran |title=Supergirl Star Melissa Benoist Performs A Minecraft Musical In This Video |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/11/20/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-performs-a-minecraft-musical-in-this-video.aspx |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171123082044/http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2017/11/20/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-performs-a-minecraft-musical-in-this-video.aspx |archive-date=November 23, 2017 |access-date=November 20, 2017 |magazine=Game Informer}}

On May 7, 2018, it was announced that Benoist would be playing the titular character in the Broadway show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre, which marked her Broadway debut for a limited run from June 7 through August 4, 2018.{{Cite web |last=Lefkowitz |first=Andy |date=May 7, 2018 |title=Glee Alum & Supergirl Star Melissa Benoist to Join Beautiful: The Carole King Musical |url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/191968/glee-alum-supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-to-join-beautiful-the-carole-king-musical/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180507192113/https://www.broadway.com/buzz/191968/glee-alum-supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-to-join-beautiful-the-carole-king-musical/ |archive-date=May 7, 2018 |access-date=May 7, 2018}} Benoist stated that the run felt like “coming home” to her theater roots and a “manifestation of a lot of her childhood dreams,” as theater was her first passion.{{cite magazine |last=LeDonne |first=Rob |title='Supergirl' Star Melissa Benoist on the 'Dream Come True' of Playing Carole King on Broadway |url=https://www.billboard.com/culture/lifestyle/melissa-benoist-interview-broadway-carole-king-8462354/ |magazine=Billboard |access-date=February 9, 2022 |date=June 22, 2018}} In February 2021, she started a production company, Three Things Productions, with an overall deal at Warner Bros.{{Cite web |last=Low |first=Elaine |date=February 12, 2021 |title='Supergirl' Star Melissa Benoist Forms Production Company, Inks Overall Deal With Warner Bros. TV Group |url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-production-company-overall-deal-warner-bros-tv-1234907250/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213000444/https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-production-company-overall-deal-warner-bros-tv-1234907250/ |archive-date=February 13, 2021 |access-date=February 13, 2021 |website=Variety}}

In June 2022, it was announced that Benoist and her production company Three Things Productions renewed its overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group and that she will officially join the HBO Max series The Girls on the Bus inspired by a chapter in Amy Chozick’s 2018 novel Chasing Hillary, which was based on the author’s time covering Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign as a political reporter. Deadline revealed in February that Benoist was in talks to reunite with Berlanti Productions for the political campaign drama series. In June, it was confirmed that she will star as Sadie McCarthy, a journalist who romanticizes Tim Crouse's The Boys on the Bus book and who scrapped her whole life for her own shot at covering a presidential campaign. Benoist also served as a producer for the series.{{cite web |last1=Otterson |first1=Joe |title=Melissa Benoist Renews Warner Bros. TV Overall Deal, Officially Set to Star in HBO Max Series 'Girls on the Bus' |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/melissa-benoist-warner-bros-tv-overall-deal-girls-on-the-bus-1235305030/ |website=Variety |date=June 28, 2022 |publisher=Variety Media LLC |access-date=18 August 2022 |archive-date=August 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818120407/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/melissa-benoist-warner-bros-tv-overall-deal-girls-on-the-bus-1235305030/ |url-status=live }}

On September 18, 2024, it was announced that she had joined the cast of the Netflix family drama The Waterfront.{{cite news |work=Deadline |url=https://deadline.com/2024/09/netflix-the-waterfront-cast-melissa-benoist-rafael-l-silva-gerardo-celasco-jake-weary-1236093272 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240918202431/https://deadline.com/2024/09/netflix-the-waterfront-cast-melissa-benoist-rafael-l-silva-gerardo-celasco-jake-weary-1236093272/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 18, 2024 |title=Netflix's 'The Waterfront' Casts 6 Including Melissa Benoist, Rafael L. Silva, Gerardo Celasco & Jake Weary |date=September 18, 2024 |access-date=October 12, 2024}}

On December 5, 2024, it was announced Benoist would star in a new NBC drama series, Duo. The project is currently in development and will be produced by her company, Three Things Productions. She will also serve as an executive producer for the series.{{cite web |last1=Andreeva |first1=Nellie |title=Chris Wood & Melissa Benoist To Star In 'Duo' Drama In Works At NBC With Rina Mimoun As Showrunner |url=https://deadline.com/2024/12/melissa-benoist-chris-wood-duo-nbc-series-rina-mimoun-1236195532/ |website=Deadline |date=December 5, 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024}}

On October 26, 2021, she published her first book, Haven’s Secret, the first installment of The Powers series from Abrams Kids. The series is a middle grade fantasy and was co-written by Benoist with her sister Jessica Benoist and author Mariko Tamaki.{{cite web |last1=Drum |first1=Nicole |title=Supergirl Star Melissa Benoist Publishing Her First Book |url=https://comicbook.com/dc/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-first-book-havens-secret/ |website=comicbook.com |date=May 10, 2021 |access-date=February 9, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=February 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220209042828/https://comicbook.com/dc/news/supergirl-melissa-benoist-first-book-havens-secret/ |url-status=live }} Haven's Secret received recognition as a 2022 Kansas Notable Book in June of 2022.

During her first semester in college, when she was learning to ride a bike, a cab backed into her and left a visible scar above her eyebrows.{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=March 19, 2016 |title=Supergirl: Melissa Benoist, Jimmy Fallon talk cab story on The Tonight Show |url=https://ew.com/article/2016/03/19/supergirl-melissa-benoist-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111094652/http://ew.com/article/2016/03/19/supergirl-melissa-benoist-jimmy-fallon-tonight-show/ |archive-date=November 11, 2017 |access-date=November 11, 2017 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} She also has a tattoo of a bicycle on her left foot.{{Cite web |last=Giddings |first=Caitlin |date=November 3, 2015 |title=TV's Supergirl Rides a Bike |url=https://www.bicycling.com/news/a20049560/tvs-supergirl-rides-a-bike/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212011510/https://www.bicycling.com/news/a20049560/tvs-supergirl-rides-a-bike/ |archive-date=February 12, 2019 |access-date=February 10, 2019 |website=Bicycling}}

In 2015, it was announced that she and her Glee co-star Blake Jenner were married. Benoist commented that they had been married "longer than anybody knows", with some sources claiming that the couple actually wed the same year of their engagement in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Ostrow |first=Joanne |date=August 6, 2015 |title=Melissa Benoist, a Colorado native, takes flight as TV's 'Supergirl' |url=http://www.denverpost.com/2015/08/06/melissa-benoist-a-colorado-native-takes-flight-as-tvs-supergirl/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170914230814/http://www.denverpost.com/2015/08/06/melissa-benoist-a-colorado-native-takes-flight-as-tvs-supergirl/ |archive-date=September 14, 2017 |access-date=June 18, 2018 |website=Denver Post |location=Colorado}}{{Cite web |last=Toomey |first=Alyssa |date=July 13, 2015 |title=Glee's Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner Are Married! | E! News |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/675549/glee-s-melissa-benoist-and-blake-jenner-are-married |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170102174359/http://www.eonline.com/news/675549/glee-s-melissa-benoist-and-blake-jenner-are-married |archive-date=January 2, 2017 |access-date=January 1, 2017 |publisher=Eonline.com}} In late December 2016, she filed for divorce citing "irreconcilable differences".{{Cite web |last=Mizoguchi |first=Karen |date=December 29, 2016 |title=Supergirl{{'s}} Melissa Benoist Files for Divorce from Blake Jenner: Report |url=http://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-files-for-divorce-blake-jenner-report/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231094957/http://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-files-for-divorce-blake-jenner-report/ |archive-date=December 31, 2016 |access-date=January 3, 2017 |website=People}} The divorce was finalized in December 2017.{{Cite web |last=Dugan |first=Christina |date=December 21, 2017 |title=Supergirl{{'s}} Melissa Benoist and Blake Jenner Finalize Divorce |url=http://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-blake-jenners-finalize-divorce/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171222123744/http://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-blake-jenners-finalize-divorce/ |archive-date=December 22, 2017 |access-date=December 22, 2017 |website=People}}

Also in 2015, Benoist suffered an injury that tore her iris. The incident caused one pupil to be enlarged. In November 2019, Benoist shared an Instagram video chronicling her experience as a survivor of domestic violence in order to raise awareness. She revealed that the injury to her iris was due to an iPhone being thrown at her during a domestic dispute, in a relationship marked by repeated abuse. Previously, the injury had been said to have been caused when she tripped down stairs and fell into a potted plant.{{Cite web |last=Kilkenny |first=Katie |date=November 27, 2019 |title='Supergirl' Star Melissa Benoist Opens Up in Emotional Video: "I Am a Survivor of Domestic Violence" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-i-am-a-survivor-domestic-violence-1258375 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010072129/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-i-am-a-survivor-domestic-violence-1258375 |archive-date=October 10, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}}{{Cite web |last=Thorne |first=Will |date=November 27, 2019 |title='Supergirl' Star Opens Up About Being 'a Survivor of Domestic Violence' in Instagram Video |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-domestic-violence-instagram-video-1203418788/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128114736/https://variety.com/2019/tv/news/supergirl-star-melissa-benoist-domestic-violence-instagram-video-1203418788/ |archive-date=November 28, 2019 |access-date=November 28, 2019}} Benoist also stated in her video that she had experienced extreme control, manipulation, and cycles of severe violence including being slapped, punched, shoved into a wall, dragged by her hair, and choked during the relationship.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=November 28, 2019 |title=Melissa Benoist Shares Her Story Of Domestic Violence In Emotional Instagram Video |url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/melissa-benoist-domestic-violence-intimate-partner-violence-instagram-sarah-schechter-greg-berlanti-1202796566/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109223552/https://deadline.com/2019/11/melissa-benoist-domestic-violence-intimate-partner-violence-instagram-sarah-schechter-greg-berlanti-1202796566/ |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |website=Deadline}} In October 2020, her ex-husband Blake Jenner wrote a lengthy Instagram post in which he admitted to causing the eye injury and confirmed the infliction of abuse throughout the relationship. He also stated that she had physically assaulted him at other times, resulting in injury.{{Cite web |last=Ramos |first=Dino-Ray |date=October 9, 2020 |title=Blake Jenner Responds To Melissa Benoist's Abuse Accusations: "I Take Full Responsibility" |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/blake-jenner-melissa-benoist-abuse-allegations-instagram-1234594305/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201009211559/https://deadline.com/2020/10/blake-jenner-melissa-benoist-abuse-allegations-instagram-1234594305/ |archive-date=October 9, 2020 |access-date=October 9, 2020 |website=Deadline}} Benoist previously stated in her original video that she began fighting back in defense against Jenner's attacks during the relationship.{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Joelle |title=Supergirl's Melissa Benoist Reveals She Is a Domestic Violence Survivor in Emotional Video |url=https://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-reveals-shes-domestic-violence-survivor-video/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201107032356/https://people.com/tv/melissa-benoist-reveals-shes-domestic-violence-survivor-video/ |archive-date=November 7, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |website=People.com}}{{Cite web |last=Morin |first=Alyssa |date=November 27, 2019 |title=Melissa Benoist Shares Her Domestic Violence Survival Story in Deeply Personal Video |url=https://www.eonline.com/news/1097790/melissa-benoist-shares-her-domestic-violence-survival-story-in-deeply-personal-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201015062603/https://www.eonline.com/news/1097790/melissa-benoist-shares-her-domestic-violence-survival-story-in-deeply-personal-video |archive-date=October 15, 2020 |access-date=November 8, 2020 |website=Eonline.com}} Benoist has discussed healing from the trauma of the relationship and stated that doing EMDR therapy saved her life.{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/melissa-benoist/id1479711891?i=1000542806486 |title= Melissa Benoist |publisher= Work in Progress with Sophia Bush|host= Sophia Bush |date= November 23, 2021|time=1:19:35|access-date= July 13, 2022}}

In 2016, Benoist met Chris Wood when he was cast as Mon-El in the second season of Supergirl, and their romantic relationship was confirmed in 2017.{{cite web |last1=Ausiello |first1=Michael |title=Chris Wood Joins Supergirl Season 2 as 'Surprise' Series Regular |url=https://tvline.com/2016/07/20/chris-wood-supergirl-season-2-cast-dc-character/ |website=TV Line |access-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-date=February 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220206173028/https://tvline.com/2016/07/20/chris-wood-supergirl-season-2-cast-dc-character/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |last1=Corriston |first1=Michele |title=Melissa Benoist Is Engaged to Her Supergirl Costar Chris Wood: 'It Will Always Be Yes' |url=https://people.com/tv/supergirl-melissa-benoist-engaged-chris-wood/ |website=People.com |publisher=People |access-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-date=February 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211092152/https://people.com/tv/supergirl-melissa-benoist-engaged-chris-wood/ |url-status=live }} On the relationship she recalls, "we met each other at the perfect time in our lives."{{cite podcast |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/id/podcast/melissa-benoist/id1479711891?i=1000542806486 |title= Melissa Benoist |publisher= Work in Progress with Sophia Bush|host= Sophia Bush |date= November 23, 2021|time=1:19:20|access-date= February 8, 2022}} In October 2017, Benoist helped with Wood's launch of his campaign "IDONTMIND" which works to decrease stigma around mental health and provide resources and education. She discussed her own struggle with depression and anxiety attacks since she was 13 years old. She said that Wood's words encouraged her to share her own issues with depression with others.{{Cite web |last=Vargas |first=Alani |title='Supergirl' Star's Mental Health Campaign "I Don't Mind" Is So Important To Increase Awareness |url=https://www.elitedaily.com/p/supergirl-stars-mental-health-campaign-i-dont-mind-is-so-important-to-increase-awareness-2756188 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171005000422/https://www.elitedaily.com/p/supergirl-stars-mental-health-campaign-i-dont-mind-is-so-important-to-increase-awareness-2756188 |archive-date=October 5, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2017 |website=Elite Daily|date=October 4, 2017 }} Benoist and Wood announced their engagement on February 10, 2019,{{Cite web |last=Corriston |first=Michele |date=February 10, 2019 |title=Melissa Benoist Is Engaged to Her Supergirl Costar Chris Wood: 'It Will Always Be Yes' |url=https://people.com/tv/supergirl-melissa-benoist-engaged-chris-wood/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190211092152/https://people.com/tv/supergirl-melissa-benoist-engaged-chris-wood/ |archive-date=February 11, 2019 |access-date=February 11, 2019 |website=People}} and married in September 2019, holding a private ceremony in Ojai, California.{{Cite web |last=Guglielmi |first=Jodi |date=September 3, 2019 |title=Supergirl Costars Melissa Benoist and Chris Wood Are Married: Reports |url=https://people.com/tv/supergirl-costars-melissa-benoist-chris-wood-married/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028172929/https://people.com/tv/supergirl-costars-melissa-benoist-chris-wood-married/ |archive-date=October 28, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=People}} On March 4, 2020, the couple announced on Instagram that they were expecting their first child.{{Cite magazine |last=Juneau |first=Jen |date=March 4, 2020 |title=Super mom! Melissa Benoist is pregnant, expecting first child with husband Chris Wood |url=https://ew.com/parents/melissa-benoist-pregnant-expecting-first-child-chris-wood/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926152728/https://ew.com/parents/melissa-benoist-pregnant-expecting-first-child-chris-wood/ |archive-date=September 26, 2020 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly}} They announced the birth of their son on September 25, 2020.{{Cite web |title=@melissabenoist shared a photo on Instagram: "Huxley Robert Wood got here a few weeks ago ♥️ and this little boy is everything" • Sep 25, 2020 at 7:12pm UTC |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkh__nH-Va/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030060055/https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Instagram |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Chris Wood on Instagram: "Our son was born his name is Huxley he's amazing and no it's probably none of your business xo brb see you in 18 years" |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CFkh_8MhBhf/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211030060122/https://www.instagram.com/accounts/login/ |archive-date=October 30, 2021 |access-date=September 25, 2020 |website=Instagram |language=en}}

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Category:1988 births

Category:21st-century American actresses

Category:21st-century American women singers

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:Actresses from Colorado

Category:Actresses from Houston

Category:American child actresses

Category:American expatriate actresses in Canada

Category:American film actresses

Category:American people of French descent

Category:American stage actresses

Category:American television actresses

Category:American voice actresses

Category:Living people

Category:Marymount Manhattan College alumni

Category:People from Littleton, Colorado

Category:People with mood disorders

Category:American expatriate musicians in Canada