- Matthew Morrison
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For his self-titled album, see Matthew Morrison (album).
Matthew Morrison 
Morrison at a premiere party of Glee in 2009Born Matthew James Morrison
October 30, 1978
Fort Ord, California, U.S.Other names Matt Morrison Occupation Actor, musician, singer-songwriter Years active 1978–present Matthew James "Matt" Morrison (born October 30, 1978) is an American actor, musician, and singer-songwriter. He is best known for starring in multiple Broadway and Off-Broadway productions, including his portrayal of Link Larkin in Hairspray on Broadway, and most notably for his Emmy and Golden Globe nominated role as Will Schuester on the Fox television show Glee (2009–present). He has also received a Satellite Award for this role.
Contents
Early life
Matthew Morrison was born in Fort Ord, California and raised in Orange County. He is of Scottish heritage.[1] He was part of the Collaborative Arts Project 21 (CAP21) and the Orange County High School of the Arts, while at the Los Alamitos High School campus. While in high school, he did a musical with Jodie Sweetin.[2] He attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts for two years before dropping out and joining the Broadway adaption of Footloose.[3]
By freshman year at college he was a regular performer on Broadway. He states in Details "There were all these beautiful, beautiful dancers. As a straight guy I had some room. There were the shared interests in singing and dancing, and I always find dancing with someone very evocative and sexual. I definitely hooked up with a lot of girls when I was a young guy on Broadway. It was fun, I guess. Very joyous and free."[4]
Career
Morrison's career began when he made his musical theatre debut on Broadway in the musical version of Footloose, followed by a revival of The Rocky Horror Show in 2002. However, his big break came when he landed the role of Link Larkin in the Broadway production of John Waters' Hairspray. After performing in the role for some time, he started working in television, guest-starring on shows such as Ghost Whisperer, Numb3rs, CSI: Miami and Hack. He also had small roles in films such as Marci X, Primary Colors, Music and Lyrics and Simply Funk. He followed up by performing the role of Sir Harry in the ABC-TV production of Once Upon a Mattress, starring Tracey Ullman and Carol Burnett.
Morrison with Glee co-star Jane Lynch.
In 2001 Matthew Morrison was recruited to complete the quartet for the band LMNT. He was replaced instead by Jonas Persch by the time their first album was released. He commented in an interview about his experience in the boy band by remarking, "It was the worst year of my life. You know when you're a performer and you're out there on stage and you're embarrassed that you're doing something wrong. It was pretty bad."[5]
Morrison starred in the Original Cast of the musical Hairspray as Link Larkin from it's opening in 2002 through January 2004.[6]
In 2005 Morrison changed gears, playing the role of Fabrizio Nacarelli in Adam Guettel's The Light in the Piazza.[6] He was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance.[7] He left the show August 28, 2005.[7]
Morrison joined the cast of the CBS soap opera As the World Turns as Adam Munson on October 24, 2006,[8] but left abruptly soon after due to a "scheduling conflict," last airing on the soap on November 27.
Morrison appeared in a benefit performance celebrating Andrew Lippa, and the 25th Anniversary of the performing troupe 'The Kids in the Hall' at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, California in December 2006. The performance benefited The California Conservatory of the Arts, a non-profit arts education organization focusing on pre-professional training for young students, grades six through twelve, in Orange County, California.
He earned a Drama Desk Nomination for his role in the Off Broadway show 10 Million Miles which ran at the Atlantic Theater Company in 2007. That same year he appeared in two films: Dan in Real Life, followed by Music and Lyrics as Cora Corman's manager.
In 2008 he played Lieutenant Cable in a Lincoln Center production of the musical South Pacific. He left the production at the end of 2008 and in early 2009 returned to California to shoot the first season of Glee.[9]
Morrison plays Will Schuester in the Fox Broadcasting television series Glee, which had its television preview on May 19, 2009. He resumed his role in the show as the series premiered on September 9, 2009. He plays a high school Spanish teacher who takes on the task of restoring the school's glee club to its former glory. Morrison also appeared in the show's second season. He returned for the third season, which premiered on September 20, 2011.[10] He will be making his directorial debut in the third season's ninth episode.
In addition on January 14, 2010, it was announced that Morrison signed a solo record deal with Mercury Records. His first studio album was released on May 10, 2011. Morrison duets with Elton John on "a medley of 'Mona Lisas and Madhatters' going into 'Rocket Man'".[11] His first single, "Summer Rain", premiered on Ryan Seacrest's website on February 28, 2011.[12] Additionally, a duet of "Over the Rainbow" with Gwyneth Paltrow appears on the self-titled album.[13]
On June 16, 2010, Morrison joined Leona Lewis — appearing at London's O2 Arena as part of her world tour — for a one-off performance to sing "Over the Rainbow". Morrison was on the cover of the June 2011 issue of MetroSource.
(l-r) LGBT activist Kevin Norte, Morrison, and Norte's partner, Don at P-FLAG 2010's Charitable Event fundraiser at the London Hotel, West Hollywood, California.Awards and nominations
- Screen Actors Guild Awards Nominated - 2010 Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Primetime Emmy Awards Nomination - 2010 Outstanding Performance by a Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Glee)
- Golden Globe Awards Nomination - 2010 Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Satellite Awards Nomination - 2010 Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Teen Choice Awards Nomination - 2010 Choice Male Scene Stealer
- Golden Globe Awards Nomination - 2009 Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Satellite Awards Winner - 2009 Best Actor in a Series, Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Screen Actors Guild Awards Winner - 2009 Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical (Glee)
- Drama Desk Awards Nomination - 2008 Outstanding Actor in a Musical (10 Million Miles)
- Tony Awards Nomination - 2005 Best Featured Actor in a Musical (The Light in the Piazza)
- Outer Critics Circle Awards Nomination - 2005 Best Featured Actor in a Musical (The Light in the Piazza)
- Drama Desk Awards Nomination - 2005 Outstanding Actor in a Musical (The Light in the Piazza)
- Outer Critics Circle Awards Nomination - 2003 Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Hairspray)
Discography
Studio albums
Title Details Peak chart
positionsUS
[14]AUS
[15]UK
[16]Matthew Morrison - Release date: May 10, 2011
- Label: Mercury Records
- Formats: CD, music download
24 61 63 Singles
Year Single Peak chart
positionsAlbum US AC
[17]CAN UK
[18]2011 "Summer Rain" 16 72 — Matthew Morrison "Still Got Tonight" — — 182 "—" denotes releases that did not chart Filmography
Source:[citation needed]
Film Year Title Role Notes 1999 Bob Rizzo's Simply Funk with Suzanne [himself] As Matthew J. Morrison 2003 Marci X Boyz R Us As Matthew J. Morrison 2005 Once Upon A Mattress Sir Harry 2006 Blinders Scott 2007 Music and Lyrics Ray 2007 Dan in Real Life Policeman 2007 I Think I Love My Wife Salesman #2 Television Year Title Role Notes 1999 Sex and the City Young Busboy 1 episode 2003 Hack Sam Wagner 1 episode 2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Chance Slaughter 1 episode 2006 As the World Turns Adam Munson(#4) October 24 - November 27, 2006 2007 Ghost Whisperer Matt Sembrook Bad Blood (2007) - 8 episodes 2007 CSI: Miami Jesse Stark Bloodline - 1 episode 2008 Numb3rs Officer Blaine Cleary Power - 1 episode 2009 Taking Chance Robert Rouse television film 2009–present Glee Will Schuester Series regular
Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (2009)
Nominated-Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Series- Musical or Comedy (2009 & 2010)
Nominated- Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (2010)
Nominated- Satellite Award for Best Actor in a Comedy Series (2010)
Nominated-People's Choice Award for Favorite Comedy Actor (2011)2011 The Cleveland Show Will Schuester (Voice role) Season 2, Episode 11 How Do You Solve a Problem Like Roberta? Personal life
Morrison became engaged to actress Chrishell Stause on December 9, 2006, their relationship ended in 2007, less than a year into their engagement. In 2011 in a magazine interview he told that he wants children in the near future, two or possibly three.[19]
References
- ^ Dirmann, Tina (December 2009). "Matthew Morrison Revealed". Orange Coast (Newport Beach, California: Orange Coast Kommunications): 86. ISSN 027909483.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE! Will There Be a 'Full House' Reunion On ‘Glee?’". Hollywoodlife.com. 2010-10-18. http://www.hollywoodlife.com/2010/10/18/full-house-reunion-on-glee-jodie-sweetin-john-stamos-mary-kate-olsen-ashley-olsen-matt-morrison-cory-montieth. Retrieved 2011-02-22.
- ^ http://ellen.warnerbros.com/music/matthew_morrison/
- ^ "Hot for Teacher: Matthew Morrison". Details Magazine. 2010-12-1. http://www.details.com/celebrities-entertainment/cover-stars/201012/fox-glee-actor-Will-Schuester-teacher-singer-matthew-morrison?currentPage=2. Retrieved 2011-06-15.
- ^ BWW, News Desk. "Matthew Morrison Talks GLEE, Upcoming Album, and his 'Worst Year Ever'." Broadwayworld 12 Jan 2010. Web. 1 Feb 2010.
- ^ a b Simonson, Robert (January 26, 2005). "Hairspray's Matthew Morrison Joins Cast of Piazza". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/90825-Hairsprays-Matthew-Morrison-Joins-Cast-of-Piazza. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
- ^ a b Simonson, Robert (July 25, 2005). "Matthew Morrison Will Leave Light in the Piazza Aug. 28". Playbill. http://www.playbill.com/news/article/94191-Matthew-Morrison-Will-Leave-Light-in-the-Piazza-Aug-28. Retrieved June 2, 2010.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. "Adam Returning Home After 4 Year Absence." Soap Central 1 Oct 2006: Web. 1 Feb 2010.
- ^ "Cable's Exit Interview Dec 23, 2008"
- ^ "Glee club is back in session on the season premiere of Glee" (Press release). Fox Broadcasting Company. http://www.foxflash.com/div.php/main/page?aID=1z4&mo=9&d=20. Retrieved September 2, 2011.
- ^ "Elton John Reveals Details on Matthew Morrison's Debut Album". Broadwayworld.com. January 21, 2011. http://broadwayworld.com/article/Elton_John_Reveals_Details_on_Matthew_Morrisons_Debut_Album_20110121. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
- ^ Lipshutz, Jason (February 25, 2011). "Listen: 'Glee' Original Songs, 'Loser Like Me' and 'Get It Right,' Debut". Billboard (New York: Prometheus Global Media). http://www.billboard.com/#/news/listen-glee-original-songs-loser-like-me-1005048232.story. Retrieved February 25, 2011.
- ^ Stack, Tim (March 22, 2011). "Matthew Morrison and Gwyneth Paltrow to duet on his upcoming album -- EXCLUSIVE". Entertainment Weekly (Time Inc). http://music-mix.ew.com/2011/03/22/matthew-morrison-gwyneth-paltrow-duet. Retrieved March 22, 2011.
- ^ "Matthew Morrison Album & Song Chart History - Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/matthew-morrison/chart-history/781251. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "Chartifacts - Week Commencing: 16 May 2011". Australian Recording Industry Association. 16 May 2011. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5yl95eTZY. Retrieved May 19, 2011.
- ^ "OFFICIAL UK ALBUMS TOP 100 - 11th June 2011". The Official Charts Company. 11 June 2011. Archived from the original on June 11, 2011. http://www.webcitation.org/5zE1edw2Q. Retrieved June 12, 2011.
- ^ "Matthew Morrison Album & Song Chart History - Adult Contemporary". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/artist/matthew-morrison/chart-history/781251. Retrieved May 17, 2011.
- ^ http://www.zobbel.de/cluk/110625cluk.txt
- ^ Spaner, Whitney. "Curtain Cutie: Matthew Morrison", Paper, 14 June 2007
External links
Categories:- 1978 births
- Living people
- Musicians from California
- Blue-eyed soul singers
- Actors from California
- American film actors
- American musicians of Scottish descent
- American musical theatre actors
- American soap opera actors
- American television actors
- American male singers
- Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series Screen Actors Guild Award winners
- People from Orange County, California
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