The failure of Darren Criss' post-ACS Versace career

When an actor wins a lot of awards for a performance (whatever you think of it), even if it's in TV instead of film, it almost always leads to more opportunities for them in one way or another, and can sometimes elevate them into a film career, like Claire Foy after The Crown or Richard

When an actor wins a lot of awards for a performance (whatever you think of it), even if it's in TV instead of film, it almost always leads to more opportunities for them in one way or another, and can sometimes elevate them into a film career, like Claire Foy after The Crown or Richard Madden after Bodyguard. Yet despite winning various awards for ACS Versace, Darren Criss' career has gone nowhere notable, not even in TV, let alone film. I don't think that's a great loss (I did think he was good in ACS but otherwise find him a bit annoying and try-hard) but I do think it's interesting because it goes against the usual trend of awards boosting careers. Did he get greedy and insist on playing leads only, which ended up not being on offer? Did making such a public statement about no longer playing LGBT roles come across more like him not wanting to be seen as gay, rather than a sincere wish to not take a role from a gay actor? Whatever the reason, he seems to have gone back to the same position he was before he did that show, and it's difficult to imagine he'll get another opportunity like that again.

by Anonymousreply 114August 9, 2023 11:57 PM

What are you talking about? I sat right behind Carol Burnett at the recent tribute to her!

by Anonymousreply 2May 11, 2023 11:54 PM

Is this guy still pretending to be str8?

by Anonymousreply 3May 11, 2023 11:56 PM

R3 Yes, and that’s why so many find him repulsive.

by Anonymousreply 4May 12, 2023 12:16 AM

I don't think he is pretending to be straight but he is definitely a queer baiter. Intentional or not. That's why him saying he is done with gay roles hurt him. I was surprised. Those roles have been most of the high profile ones of his career.

by Anonymousreply 5May 12, 2023 12:23 AM

His daughter's name is Bluesy

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by Anonymousreply 6May 12, 2023 12:27 AM

Always thought he was cute but never got a gay vibe. Used to see him around in Noe Valley when I lived in SF. Always looked hipsterish and straggly but he cleans up very well for the camera. Good on him. I bet he's very happy and seems like a cool guy.

by Anonymousreply 8May 12, 2023 12:44 AM

He's very cute and was good in American Crime Story. He has a certain charm and charisma, but he's never really blown me away, especially in his musical theatre roles. His singing voice isn't very powerful, he has pitch problems, and his acting/stage presence isn't enough to make up for it like it has been for other performers without beautiful voices.

by Anonymousreply 9May 12, 2023 1:24 AM

He was on Broadway last year with Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne in American Buffalo.

by Anonymousreply 10May 12, 2023 2:03 AM

R1: Um how do you think he became an Emmy and SAG winner?

by Anonymousreply 11June 10, 2023 6:15 PM

He didn't deserve those awards in the first place. I still don't understand how he won the Emmy, I don't even remember the reviews for American Crime Story being that enthusiastic

by Anonymousreply 12June 10, 2023 6:18 PM

He was phenomenal as Cunanan, but I can see why he’s hard to cast.

by Anonymousreply 13June 10, 2023 6:21 PM

[quote]I don't think he is pretending to be straight but he is definitely a queer baiter. Intentional or not. That's why him saying he is done with gay roles hurt him. I was surprised. Those roles have been most of the high profile ones of his career.

I felt sorry for Criss over that statement. There was so much synthetic outrage over casting decisions and people competing with each other to be more outraged than anyone else could be outraged and he got caught up in it.

Criss tried to show solidarity after a shitload of pressure.

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by Anonymousreply 14June 10, 2023 6:26 PM

^ Oh, please. "Outrage" had nothing to do with the failure of his career. He's not a very good actor and only ever had a career to begin with because he was a Ryan Murphy "favorite"

by Anonymousreply 15June 10, 2023 6:29 PM

Career failure was to be expected with this one.

by Anonymousreply 16June 10, 2023 6:36 PM

Can someone explain the nail polish in OP’s pic? Total bone killer.

by Anonymousreply 17June 10, 2023 6:49 PM

It's been awhile, remind me what Darren Criss did to tick you guys off?

by Anonymousreply 18June 10, 2023 6:53 PM

His brother committed suicide. That's a tough thing to deal with.

by Anonymousreply 19June 10, 2023 6:58 PM

He shouldn't have stopped being available for gay roles. Maybe he'd be working more.

by Anonymousreply 20June 10, 2023 7:04 PM

He seemed out of his depth in 'American Buffalo' but he tried hard.

by Anonymousreply 21June 10, 2023 7:06 PM

R12: I still can't figure out how Austin Butler won the Golden Globe. Yes his post-Versace career is pretty much non-existent but still he got far luckier than most.

by Anonymousreply 23June 10, 2023 7:59 PM

He had a scene in the Suzy episode during the final season of the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

by Anonymousreply 24June 10, 2023 8:01 PM

[quote]He was on Broadway last year with Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne in American Buffalo.

And he was underwhelming

by Anonymousreply 25June 10, 2023 8:06 PM

I'd have to see his cock before I can tell you definitively if he is gay or not.

by Anonymousreply 26June 10, 2023 8:10 PM

If your father was in KISS you might be flaky as well.

by Anonymousreply 27June 10, 2023 8:20 PM

Yes he’s super annoying and not much of an actor but he is handsome. I thought at the least he would get a few more Ryan Murphy gigs.

by Anonymousreply 28June 10, 2023 9:27 PM

I promise I’ll show my ass in every episode. I’m a giver.

by Anonymousreply 29June 10, 2023 9:31 PM

I think he’s overrated. He’s an ok actor with the right part. He has a very limited vocal range and his music is a bit mediocre. He’s someone that is just so overly confident and i think that’s how he’s made it. I wonder if he sucked Ryan Murphy’s dick to get the part on Glee.

by Anonymousreply 30June 10, 2023 9:39 PM

R2, that's actually his best credit.

by Anonymousreply 31June 10, 2023 9:41 PM

He was ideally cast as Cunanan, but it's very hard to cast him otherwise. He has a nice tight little body, but he's short and has aged out of teenage roles, and he doesn't have a wide range as an actor. He would have done better being typecast as gay characters--he would have found more work.

Because there are a very few short male actors who have made it big and kept their careers going, like Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise, Dataloungers often think you can make it as a small guy in Hollywood. But once you get to be a certain age it's very hard to make it still unless you're a once-in-a-lifetime box office star (like Cruise) or a genuine enormous acting talent (like Hoffman). Behind each one of them are dozens and dozens of Seth Greens and Tobey Maguires and Jonathan Taylor Thomases who had trouble finding meaningful acting work once they were no longer plausible as teenagers anymore.

by Anonymousreply 32June 10, 2023 9:46 PM

there has to be authenticity in gay casting so if DC wants gay roles he'll ....wait.

by Anonymousreply 33June 10, 2023 11:26 PM

Ryan Murphy campaigned like hell to get him those awards but the reality is very few people actually watched the show — it had dismal ratings and the writing was pretty bad overall. Awards can’t give you a boost if no one watched the performance. I also agree with the previous comments that he doesn’t have a lot of range. His roles on GLEE and VERSACE were tailor-designed for him. This is a problem a lot of Ryan show actors have faced — Ryan casts people to type and they can never really break out of that. Same reason Lea Michele is back on Broadway playing a role she already played in a show-within-a-show on GLEE.

by Anonymousreply 34June 10, 2023 11:34 PM

He’s handsome and can perform. Either he needs a new agent or he just isn’t interested in acting anymore.

by Anonymousreply 35June 11, 2023 12:07 AM

Dude Hollywood was closed for over two years. Get a grip.

by Anonymousreply 36June 11, 2023 12:10 AM

He's at an awkward stage: to old to be teenage gay dream and too young to be a DILF.

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by Anonymousreply 37June 11, 2023 12:19 AM

[quote]I promise I’ll show my ass in every episode.

We've already seen your cute little ass, but would be up for more.

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by Anonymousreply 39June 11, 2023 3:55 PM

Darren Criss is NOT related to Peter Criss drummer from KISS the band

If you like to can make that a haiku.

by Anonymousreply 40June 11, 2023 4:01 PM

Wasn't it alleged that Darren Criss was on Ryan Murphy alleged "casting couch" and that he allegedly willing did so?

by Anonymousreply 42June 16, 2023 3:28 AM

How is he "overrated" r30? He has barely worked outside of Ryan Murphy, the industry isn't that interested in him.

by Anonymousreply 43June 16, 2023 3:54 AM

Chris Colfer is cackling in her dungeon.

by Anonymousreply 44June 16, 2023 4:01 AM

Who.knew back then Grant Gustin of all people would have the longest acting gig post-Glee? Darren can at least be glad he's not almost completely forgotten like some of his other castmates.

by Anonymousreply 45June 16, 2023 4:18 AM

Alex Newell is a darling on Broadway.

by Anonymousreply 46June 16, 2023 5:11 AM

R42 there were definitely those rumors but mostly cause people thought Ryan Murphy was so obsessed with featuring him on the show and he was quickly promoted to appear more on the show. Though part of that is because fans of Glee did really like him and his solos for Glee charted really well by Glee standards.

by Anonymousreply 47June 16, 2023 5:16 AM

Ms Murphy probably had him and Chord at the same time.

by Anonymousreply 48June 16, 2023 5:20 AM

Ryan Murphy is not a bad looking guy.

by Anonymousreply 49June 16, 2023 6:43 AM

R42 There was a rumor that allegedly Ryan Murphy fucked several male Glee cast members with Darren being one of them while Chord was not at first. Also that Brad Falchuck allegedly may have fucked several of the female cast members. Allegedly Ryan was very pissed when Chord left the show. Chord allegedly at the time thought he was going to become a big household name after leaving Glee due to his popularity on the show. When that didn't happen, it's alleged that Ryan made Chord physically crawl on his hands and knees and beg for his job back along with making a stipulation that he had give up his ass this time, which Chord allegedly didn't have to do the first time around.

by Anonymousreply 50June 16, 2023 7:05 AM

He has a hot ass...end of skills.

And he named his child Bluesy Belle.

by Anonymousreply 51June 16, 2023 7:21 AM

Sounds like he'll pivot to Dad parts eventually. It's a matter of time before the pity and nostalgia gets him work.

by Anonymousreply 52June 16, 2023 7:29 AM

R52 Yep, he's sitcom dad material. Or, if he could stomach it, he could play a school teacher coaching a glee club… lol

by Anonymousreply 53June 16, 2023 8:17 AM

Guess a Glee reunion will never happen since some of them hate each others!

by Anonymousreply 54June 16, 2023 8:22 AM

He vehemently refused to bend over, no matter what. That's why he failed.

by Anonymousreply 55June 16, 2023 8:24 AM

R54 and they keep dropping like flies!!

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by Anonymousreply 56June 16, 2023 8:44 AM

Chris is one of the guys who are either "on" (charming, approachable, etc.) or completely detached from everything other than his smartphone (= do not approach).

What hurts his career, despite having won an Emmy, is being a teen idol from his Glee days. Murphy gave him the greatest gift of his career (American Crime Story), but Hollywood doesn't bite and keeps dismissing him as now former teen star. Most teen stars can't shake that teen idol image. That's why Zac Efron pulled that silly "ooops, I dropped a sealed condom on the red carpet" stunt and Robert Pattinson made all these indie features that barely anybody saw but still got press attention due to his Twilight connection. There is a lot of bias in Hollywood where producers and studios don't believe someone (gay, teen idol, skin color, body type, etc.) isn't suitable for an A-List career (= making the Hollywood movers and shakers rich) and only if you have someone who truly believes in you being able to make them rich (usually a talent manager) can overcome such bias.

by Anonymousreply 57June 16, 2023 9:04 AM

LOL, it's Criss (not Chris). Sorry 'bout that.

by Anonymousreply 58June 16, 2023 9:06 AM

He is such a queen in denial.

by Anonymousreply 59June 16, 2023 10:16 AM

Never had any interest in him.

by Anonymousreply 60June 16, 2023 11:04 AM

The STORY of Versace was the star, not Criss. For those who don't know, Cunanan was missing for MONTHS. The rumors were rampant that the Pink Mafia was helping/hiding Cunanan who had gone back to L..A..Maureen Orth had been covering the story for Vanity Fair (and the Pink Mafia angle) and swears in her book that Andrew Cunanan had tried to call her personally a couple of times while on the run, after seeing her stories..Anyways..The cops couldn't find Cunannan and when he finally showed up it was at Versaces doorstep (which nobody saw coming). Darren Criss is pretty much a has-been, like the rest of the Glee cast.

by Anonymousreply 61June 16, 2023 12:28 PM

When “on”, he has loud, ingratiating personality of trying too hard, a voice that’s a bit nasal, and has a conniving smarminess to him that can be very sexy when posed a very specific way, yet falls apart when the spotlight pulls away. I also think he’s dabbled in the homosex but is 87% straight. (I pretty much just described every straight actor in Hollywood.)

I think somewhere along the way he or his handlers realized the queer baiting wasn’t working the way they wanted.

I think someone threw him the Maisel part to keep his health insurance.

by Anonymousreply 62June 16, 2023 12:44 PM

R37 & R62 Nailed it. Smarmy, queerbaiting actor with limited range no longer gets gay handouts, has aged out of the teen heartthrob roles, but has yet to age into middle-aged, character actor roles, and so received a minor role to keep his health insurance and pay SAG dues.

by Anonymousreply 63June 16, 2023 12:53 PM

I almost forgot he was also in the Ryan-produced Netfllix show HOLLYWOOD which had some potential with a solid cast of older actors and a breakout performance from Jeremy Pope, but was marred by the fact that the guy who was cast to play Rock Hudson was not anywhere near as beautiful as the real Rock and more importantly, could not act his way out of a paper bag.

Part of the issue for Criss, Lea Michele and all of the rest of “Ryan’s faves” is that Ryan’s own career has not been going so well since he made his big deal with Netflix. None of the shows he’s made there have been well-done or been a hit except for DAHMER and that’s really only bc true crime cultists love anything about Dahmer. So his ability to boost anyone else’s career has been radically diminished. His falling out with Janet Mock, who is a much better writer than he is and was largely responsible for his last truly good show, POSE, has also had a negative effect on his output.

by Anonymousreply 64June 16, 2023 12:56 PM

Janet Mock is a psycho nut job with nothing on their upcoming IMDB slate because no one wants to work with them.

by Anonymousreply 65June 16, 2023 1:03 PM

Janet Mock will never work again because of her ungrateful outburst and “sorry, not sorry” attitude.

by Anonymousreply 66June 16, 2023 1:21 PM

He's probably better off than Cody Fern.

by Anonymousreply 67June 16, 2023 1:27 PM

Janet Mock will never work again because of her ungrateful outburst and “sorry, not sorry” ungrateful attitude.

Nothing to do with trans OR her color. —Anonymous

by Anonymousreply 68June 16, 2023 5:50 PM

With the exception of Darren's HOT ass, Versace was forgettable.

by Anonymousreply 69June 16, 2023 5:52 PM

I wish him the best as a fellow gay mixed race person. He is attractive. His career would be helped if he came out.

by Anonymousreply 70June 16, 2023 5:54 PM

R47 and r50 Wasn't there also a rumor that they wanted to do something with Blaine and Sebastian on Glee but eventually backed off because of the Klaine fans going crazy about it?

by Anonymousreply 71June 16, 2023 6:56 PM

R71 I have no idea but one of the big issues with Ryan Murphy is his writing ADHD. The man can't commit to a coherent story to save his life. He gets "inspired" and changes track.

by Anonymousreply 72June 16, 2023 6:59 PM

r72, a lot of creative, or "creative", people are passionate about some project one day and have lost interest the next and are passionate about something new. We are fickle beings, after all. Commitment is not part of our true nature (which is why relationships rarely last).

by Anonymousreply 73June 16, 2023 7:14 PM

Not gonna argue with previous posters re: Janet Mock bc she admittedly did go off the rails, but my point was she is a far more talented writer than Murphy and he was taking credit for everything she came up with until she hit the wall.

by Anonymousreply 74June 16, 2023 7:32 PM

It's clear if you look at the introduction of Grant Gustin on Glee they planned on a storyline of him coming between them, but like many plotlines in Glee that never ended up going anyway r71.

by Anonymousreply 75June 16, 2023 7:34 PM

R72 This is true. He’s consistently had inspired concepts, or great first seasons, only to tank in season 2, immediately. He probably should have always been in film rather than TV so that he doesn’t have time to fuck things up.

by Anonymousreply 76June 16, 2023 7:34 PM

R76 he should be a TV "birth parent". Have the idea, write the pilot, and then give it to someone else to raise

by Anonymousreply 77June 16, 2023 7:40 PM

[quote] Not gonna argue with previous posters re: Janet Mock bc she admittedly did go off the rails, but my point was she is a far more talented writer than Murphy and he was taking credit for everything she came up with until she hit the wall.

I like Pose. And I like Mock's point of view, and I believe it's important enough to be shared. But, for whatever reason, she handled herself poorly in public, and people like her rarely get second chances. Hollywood is a soul crushing business (like so many other careers) and not for the weak and faint-hearted.

by Anonymousreply 78June 16, 2023 8:25 PM

R78 I agree. I have a lot of sympathy because Mock has obviously had a very hard life & has only gotten to where she has with tenacity & talent but she was not equipped for fame or the pressure of showrunning. Her actions in regard to the employees on the show (including her boyfriend) are egregious, though, and all I can say is I hope she pulls it together and makes amends.

by Anonymousreply 79June 16, 2023 8:32 PM

r71 I heard Blaine was supposed to end up with Sebastian (which makes a lot more sense... aesthetically & otherwise), and Kurt was supposed to end up with Karofsky which would have been a lot more interesting.

by Anonymousreply 80June 16, 2023 9:15 PM

Karofsky? The character who was a closeted bully who tried to commit suicide? Quite frankly, I don't see how much more they could've gotten out of that character. Him showing up in a brief cameo to tie up loose ends was the best solution.

by Anonymousreply 81June 16, 2023 9:36 PM

[quote]The failure of Darren Criss'

Oh, dear.

It's 'Criss's'. He's not Jesus or Moses.

by Anonymousreply 82June 16, 2023 10:42 PM

Chris Colfer and Darren Criss were completely unbelievable as a couple.....mostly because of Colfer.

I liked the a cappella group that Blaine was in - some good songs and faces in there.

Fun clip although you have to put up with a lot of queeny Colfer before the song starts.

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by Anonymousreply 83June 16, 2023 11:44 PM

Honestly hope he shows his ass again if he gets another more adult project. It's the least he can do. He had such a nice tight round ass in Versace.

by Anonymousreply 84June 17, 2023 2:55 AM

That is pretty terrible going from sweeping the awards circuit to a cameo in only one episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.

by Anonymousreply 86June 17, 2023 3:55 AM

R85: I'm shocked Murphy didn't make him show his ass or do a sex scene in that Hollywood miniseries.

by Anonymousreply 87June 17, 2023 3:58 AM

He's an absolute piece of shit to anyone who won't help him get higher in the industry. Murphy took a liking to him because he wasn't afraid to be a casting couch cow for upward mobility. I've met him, never wish to do so again. Mediocre "talent" and human being.

by Anonymousreply 88June 17, 2023 4:02 AM

R42 Yes, open secret. He was never intended to be anything other than a bit part for an episode.

by Anonymousreply 89June 17, 2023 4:03 AM

Yes he's phony and annoying but I honestly don't hate him the way some do on here. He's a heck of a lot better looking than guys like Chalamet and Holland who are foisted on the public everyday.

by Anonymousreply 90June 17, 2023 4:11 AM

R80 Correct. Chord Overstreet's character was originally meant to be Kurt's boyfriend, but the two had no chemistry. You can see hints of the start of that storyline in Chord's first episode. Karofsky was the next choice as Ryan Murphy was projecting hard onto Kurt at the time and had had crushes on jocks in high school who were closeted. Max Adler proved to be a great actor in the role, but we see how Murphy latched onto Criss and the fanbase he had brought over from his Potter musical days.

Karofsky's character was far more impactful to me personally than whatever angle they were going for with Blaine. Two twinks in bowties with similar personalities and drama? Pass the barf bag.

by Anonymousreply 92June 17, 2023 4:16 AM

[quote]Brad Falchuck allegedly may have fucked several of the female cast members.

Before he was with Goop or during?

by Anonymousreply 93June 17, 2023 4:17 AM

r92 Karofsky was one of the few compelling characters on the show.

by Anonymousreply 94June 17, 2023 4:22 AM

R95: Like you actually wrote those books.

by Anonymousreply 96June 17, 2023 4:36 AM

Here is the real reason he doesn’t get cast more.

His eyes are too small. They don’t look compelling on screen.

Your eyes go directly to Ben Feldman’s face. Ben Feldman probably gets roles Criss is considered for.

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by Anonymousreply 97June 17, 2023 11:24 AM

R93 probably both. I doubt it would make a difference to a Harvey girl.

by Anonymousreply 98June 17, 2023 11:29 AM

R97 he has Asian eyes, he’s mixed. I have the same.

by Anonymousreply 99June 17, 2023 11:40 AM

But many Asian actors in Hollywood get the Asian eyelid surgery for this very reason

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by Anonymousreply 100June 17, 2023 3:11 PM

The competition was very weak the year he won the Emmy. He probably won the thing because he generously showed his ass more than once.

by Anonymousreply 101June 17, 2023 10:42 PM

I remember before the Versace show even aired he was tweeting pictures from the set including the one where he takes a shower in his speedo underwear. He was like tune in gays and I promise you’ll get to see my ass.

by Anonymousreply 102June 18, 2023 2:00 AM

r102, so he promoted the show he was in? THAT MONSTER! KILL HIM, KILL HIM WITH FIRE!

by Anonymousreply 103June 18, 2023 8:07 AM

I shaved his face in a Madison Avenue barbershop once. He's a dick.

by Anonymousreply 104June 18, 2023 8:19 AM

^ is he a bitchy queen dick or a straight douche dick?

by Anonymousreply 105June 18, 2023 11:38 AM

I'm a little surprised his post-ACS career turned out to be less than impressive. He likely wouldn't become a major movie star but I thought for sure he would get at least a decent career in television with occasional supporting roles in high profile movies. Perhaps it was his ties to Ryan Murphy land and/or he came across as too phony, annoying, and queer baiting.

by Anonymousreply 106August 9, 2023 11:19 PM

His career was mostly about Ryan Murphy wanting to fuck him, and either it happened, he said no too many times and it didn't happen, or he aged out of Ryan's radar like a Menudo member, so his main source of roles has dried up now.

He needs to get out there and audition. I suspect he hasn't because he was used to Papa Murphy casting him in stuff.

by Anonymousreply 107August 9, 2023 11:22 PM

[quote] Karofsky was one of the few compelling characters on the show.

Not to mention hotter than most of what was pushed on us as hot.

by Anonymousreply 108August 9, 2023 11:23 PM

He is handsome and his ass isn't that bad. I thought that would help him a little bit. He shouldn't feel too disappointed though because he actually got far luckier than most. He was like 31-32 when he won the Emmy and SAG award and these voting blocs hate giving any award to a guy that young.

by Anonymousreply 109August 9, 2023 11:26 PM

If there's one field he should stick to it's acting because he has the hardware to back it up and also he can't sing for shit.

by Anonymousreply 110August 9, 2023 11:35 PM

That terrible autotune should haunt those Glee kids for the rest of their careers.

by Anonymousreply 111August 9, 2023 11:37 PM

[quote] He never presented hole.

Gurl, please...

by Anonymousreply 112August 9, 2023 11:52 PM

he might get a few years out of high dollar amount escorting

by Anonymousreply 113August 9, 2023 11:55 PM

[quote] He is such a queen in denial.

He's not gay, he's pansexual.

by Anonymousreply 114August 9, 2023 11:57 PM

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