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Entertainment • Actor

Lea Michele

Lea Michele Sarfati, known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, and author.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Lea Michele Sarfati, known professionally as Lea Michele, is an American actress, singer, songwriter, and author. She is best known for playing Rachel Berry on the television series Glee and for her early Broadway work, including Spring Awakening. She has also released solo music and written books.

Early life and stage career

Lea Michele was born in the Bronx, New York, and began acting as a child. She appeared in several Broadway productions before gaining wider recognition for her breakout role as Wendla in Spring Awakening.

Television career

She became widely known for her role as Rachel Berry on the television series Glee from 2009 to 2015. The role earned her major award recognition, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Satellite Award.

Music and publishing

Michele signed with Columbia Records and released her debut solo album, Louder, in 2014. She later expanded into writing with bestselling books, including Brunette Ambition and You First.

Later work

After Glee, Michele continued acting in television, film, and stage productions. She returned to Broadway in Funny Girl in 2022.

Key facts

  • She began performing professionally as a child in Broadway productions.
  • Her breakout Broadway role was Wendla in Spring Awakening.
  • She played Rachel Berry on Glee from 2009 to 2015.
  • Her work on Glee earned major award recognition, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Satellite Award.
  • She released her debut solo album, Louder, in 2014.
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Canadian context

Lea Michele has a North American fan base and has been widely covered in Canadian entertainment media, but she is not primarily associated with Canada.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Lea Michele?
Lea Michele is an American actress, singer, songwriter, and author best known for Glee and her Broadway performances.
What is Lea Michele’s full name?
Her full name is Lea Michele Sarfati.
What role made Lea Michele famous?
She became widely known for playing Rachel Berry on Glee.
What Broadway role is Lea Michele known for?
She is known for playing Wendla in Spring Awakening and for early child roles in Broadway productions.
Has Lea Michele released music?
Yes. She released her debut solo album, Louder, in 2014 and later released additional albums.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Michele
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, birthplace, occupations, years active, and basic career overview.
  2. Broadway.com — https://www.broadway.com/buzz/stars/lea-michele/profile/
    Supports: Broadway career, Glee role, awards, books, and entertainment profile.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/lea_michele
    Supports: General career summary, birthplace, and television recognition.
  4. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0584951/bio/
    Supports: Birth details and family background.
  5. Wikipedia — https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lea_Michele
    Supports: Broadway credits, solo music, debut album, and early publishing details.