Blake Jenner Career and Life Style
Early Life and Education
Blake Jenner was born on August 27, 1992, in Miami, Florida. He grew up as the youngest of four brothers in a multicultural household—his mother Mitzy is of Cuban origin, and his father Richard is of mixed descent :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}. Blake developed a love for music and acting early on. He began playing drums at age nine and participated in high school football, wrestling, and drama club at Felix Varela High School :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}.
Journey to Hollywood
After graduating a year early, Blake moved to Los Angeles with just $2,500 to pursue acting. While auditioning, he worked odd jobs—delay waiter, clothing store associate, and even at a pet shop that sold exotic birds :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3}. He also studied improv at The Groundlings to sharpen his comedic skills :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4}.
Breakthrough on Glee
In 2012, Blake competed in and won the second season of Oxygen’s reality series The Glee Project. That victory awarded him the role of Ryder Lynn on Fox’s musical drama Glee :contentReference[oaicite:5]{index=5}. He joined the main cast in season five and portrayed Ryder in many episodes. In 2013, he earned the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Breakout Star :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6}.
Film and Theatre Work
Blake transitioned into film with roles in Richard Linklater’s Everybody Wants Some!! and the coming-of-age film The Edge of Seventeen, both released in 2016 :contentReference[oaicite:7]{index=7}. He wrote and produced the indie feature Billy Boy, funded via Kickstarter in 2013 :contentReference[oaicite:8]{index=8}. Later, he appeared in American Animals and What/If, a Netflix thriller series where he starred as Sean Donovan in 2019 :contentReference[oaicite:9]{index=9}. He also performed on stage—playing Christian de Neuvillette in Cyrano alongside Peter Dinklage in regional and Off-Broadway productions in 2018–2019 :contentReference[oaicite:10]{index=10}.
Personal Life and Controversy
Blake became engaged to his Glee co-star Melissa Benoist in 2013 and they reportedly married in 2015. They divorced in 2017 :contentReference[oaicite:11]{index=11}. In 2019, Benoist shared public allegations of domestic violence during their relationship, including injuries to her iris. Blake acknowledged these claims in interviews :contentReference[oaicite:12]{index=12}.
Current Work and Stage Return
In early 2025, Blake starred in the musical comedy The Wedding Singer at The Colony Theatre in Burbank, California :contentReference[oaicite:13]{index=13}. Production details indicate he continues balancing film, television, and theatre roles. He had also been attached to Richard Linklater’s long-term Merrily We Roll Along project before being replaced in 2023 :contentReference[oaicite:14]{index=14}.
Net Worth and Influence
Estimate sources value Blake’s net worth at approximately $1.5 million, earned from television roles, indie films, theatre work, and writing :contentReference[oaicite:15]{index=15}. While his career faced controversy, he remains active in the industry with ongoing projects across multiple platforms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What made Blake Jenner famous?
He won the second season of The Glee Project, which led to playing Ryder Lynn on the hit musical series Glee.
Has Blake Jenner worked in movies?
Yes. His film credits include Everybody Wants Some!!, The Edge of Seventeen, American Animals, and What/If on Netflix.
Did Blake Jenner write any films?
Yes. He wrote and produced the independent film Billy Boy, completing funding via Kickstarter.
What theatre roles has Blake Jenner performed?
He portrayed Christian de Neuvillette in Cyrano at Goodspeed Musicals and Off-Broadway productions.
What is Blake Jenner’s current net worth?
It is estimated at around $1.5 million based on earnings from acting, stage performances, and writing projects.