Matthew Morrison began his professional trajectory in 1999 as part of a fictional parody boy band on the Late Show with David Letterman. This television appearance, facilitated by a choreographer working on the Broadway production of Footloose, provided the early momentum needed to secure his first major stage role and leave his studies at New York University.
Broadway Foundations
Before achieving prominence in television, Morrison established a career in musical theatre. He appeared in the 2002 revival of The Rocky Horror Show and originated the role of Link Larkin in Hairspray. By 2005, he received a Tony Award nomination for his portrayal of Fabrizio Nacarelli in The Light in the Piazza. Subsequent stage credits include the 2007 production of 10 Million Miles, his role as Lieutenant Cable in the 2008 Lincoln Center revival of South Pacific, and the lead character in the 2015 Broadway debut of Finding Neverland.
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Morrison is widely recognized for his performance as Will Schuester, the teacher who leads a high school glee club, on the Fox series Glee. Premiering in 2009, the role earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series. During his tenure on the program, he expanded his professional portfolio to include directing, helming the ninth episode of the show's third season.
Music and Media Projects
His musical career includes three solo studio albums: Matthew Morrison (2011), Where It All Began (2013), and Disney Dreamin' with Matthew Morrison (2020). He has also participated in reality competition television as a judge on the BBC series The Greatest Dancer and the Fox show So You Think You Can Dance. Additionally, he played the title character in NBC's 2020 production Dr. Seuss' The Grinch Musical Live! and appeared in the 2023 film A Paris Christmas Waltz.
Fast facts
- Born: 1978, Fort Ord, California
- Education: New York University Tisch School of the Arts
- Broadway debut: Footloose
- Record label affiliation: 222 Records
- Television breakout: Glee (2009–2015)
- Directorial debut: Glee, Season 3, Episode 9
- Nationality: United States
- Awards: Screen Actors Guild Award
Questions readers ask
What was his first Broadway role?
He appeared in the Broadway adaptation of Footloose in 1999.
Did he participate in any boy bands?
Yes, he was a member of the quartet LMNT for one year before pursuing his career in theater and television.
Achievements
- Educated at New York University Tisch School of the Arts, Los Alamitos High School and New York University
- Worked as singer, film director and musician
