Blake Jenner
Born: August 27, 1992
Age: 32
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, U.S.
Blake Alexander Jenner (born August 27, 1992) is an American actor and singer. He is best known for winning the second season of the Oxygen reality competition series The Glee Project and his portrayal of Ryder Lynn in the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. In 2016, he had the lead role in the comedy film Everybody Wants Some!!.
Early life
Jenner was born and raised in Miami, Florida, the youngest of four brothers. His father is American and his mother is Cuban.
Jenner grew up interested in music and film and began playing drums at age nine. He attended Felix Varela High School, where he joined the school's drama society Troupe 6162 and played varsity football and wrestling. Stating that he was "in love with improv and comedy" he began improvisation lessons and participated in stage productions at the Roxy Performing Arts Center. In 2008, he became a member of "Impromedy", a sketch comedy improv group based in Miami.
Career
Eager to pursue a career in acting, Jenner left Miami and moved to Los Angeles after graduating high school a year early, with just $2,500. While residing in California, he took on many jobs including a waiter, clothing store associate, and parrot salesman while auditioning for acting roles. He continually attended improv classes at The Groundlings, and eventually did a guest show with said company two years later.
By 2011, he was cast in the short films Wurlitzer and The Truth In Being Right and the horror film Cousin Sarah. He also made a guest appearance on ABC Family's sitcom Melissa & Joey as Miller Collins.
In 2012, he was selected through industry channels to audition as one of 14 contestants on the second season of The Glee Project, a television reality show for which the prize was a guaranteed seven-episode arc on the following season of Glee. He was one of three finalists and ultimately won. After appearing as Ryder Lynn on the fourth season of Glee, he was later nominated and won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Star. Jenner, along with co-stars Jacob Artist, Becca Tobin, Alex Newell, and Melissa Benoist, was promoted to series regular status for the fifth season.
In the summer of 2013, Jenner wrote the screenplay for Billy Boy. He and Benoist went on Kickstarter to ask fans to help fund the project's production; as of December 11, 2013, the project has reached its $100,000 goal. Jenner was subsequently cast in the horror film Within. In late 2015, Jenner was cast in a recurring role as Adam Foster on Supergirl, playing opposite his wife Melissa Benoist, who stars as the series' title character. His first appearance aired on January 25, 2016.
Jenner next appeared as Jake Bradford in Richard Linklater's comedy film Everybody Wants Some!!, which was released on March 30, 2016. He next joined Hailee Steinfeld in the coming-of-age drama The Edge of Seventeen. In April 2016, he was announced to have joined the cast of Shawn Christensen's drama film Sidney Hall.
Personal life
Jenner began dating his Glee co-star Melissa Benoist in 2012, and they became engaged in July 2013. They were married in late March 2015.
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Fresh 2 Death | Connor | Short film |
2011 | Wurlitzer | Alexander Moore | Short film; also producer |
2011 | Cousin Sarah | Brett Marks | |
2012 | The Truth In Being Right | Jeffrey | Short film |
2014 | Love at First Site | Sydney Reynolds | Short film |
2016 | Everybody Wants Some!! | Jake Bradford | |
2016 | Billy Boy | Billy Forsetti | Completed; also writer and producer |
2016 | The Edge of Seventeen | In post-production | |
2016 | Within | Tommy | Completed |
2017 | Sidney Hall | Brett Newport | Filming |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Melissa & Joey | Miller Collins | Episode: "A House Divided" |
2012 | The Glee Project | Himself | Season 2; 12 episodes |
2012-15 | Glee | Ryder Lynn | 32 episodes |
2013 | Master Chef | Himself | Episode: "Top 14 Compete" |
2016 | Supergirl | Adam Foster | 2 episodes |
Accolades
Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2013 | Teen Choice Awards | Choice TV Breakout Star | Glee | Won |
Discography
Main article: Glee discography- Glee: The Music Presents Glease
- Glee: The Music, Season 4, Volume 1
- Glee Sings the Beatles