Blake Jenner
Blake Alexander Jenner (born August 27, 1992) is an American actor and singer.[1][2] Born in Miami, Florida, Jenner began pursuing entertainment inspired by performers like Jim Carrey and Michael Jackson, eventually relocating to Los Angeles to focus on acting.[3] His career breakthrough came in 2012 upon winning the second season of Oxygen's reality competition The Glee Project, securing him a role as the football player and vocalist Ryder Lynn on seasons four and five of the Fox musical series Glee.[2][4] This led to a Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star in 2013.[5] Jenner transitioned to film with lead roles in Richard Linklater's coming-of-age comedy Everybody Wants Some!! (2016) and the dramatic teen film The Edge of Seventeen (2016) opposite Hailee Steinfeld and Woody Harrelson.[4][6] Subsequent credits include the heist thriller American Animals (2018), the Netflix series What/If (2019), and a recurring role as police officer Jackson West on ABC's The Rookie.[2] In his personal life, Jenner married actress Melissa Benoist in 2015 after co-starring with her on Supergirl, but they divorced in 2017 amid a reportedly toxic relationship involving mutual abuse.[7] In 2019, Benoist detailed physical violence she endured, including an eye injury from a thrown phone; Jenner responded in 2020 by admitting to emotionally, mentally, and physically abusing her while claiming reciprocal mistreatment, and taking full responsibility for his actions.[8][9] In 2022, Jenner faced legal issues after his arrest on suspicion of driving under the influence in California.[10]Early Life
Family Background and Childhood
Blake Alexander Jenner was born on August 27, 1992, in Miami, Florida.[1] He is the son of Richard Vernon Jenner and Mitzy Jenner (née Soto), with his mother possessing Cuban heritage from a family originating in Santiago de Cuba.[11][12] Jenner grew up in Miami as the youngest of four brothers, including Mike, Derrick, and Richard.[13] From an early age, Jenner exhibited interests in creative pursuits, starting to play drums at nine years old and engaging with music and film.[12] His childhood environment in Miami fostered these inclinations without documented relocations or major disruptions during that period. Jenner cited performers Jim Carrey and Michael Jackson as key inspirations during his youth, motivating his aspiration toward entertainment.[3] At age nine, he began writing short stories and performing them himself, reflecting an early inclination toward acting and narrative expression.[3]Education and Initial Aspirations
Jenner attended Hammocks Middle School in Miami, Florida, where he enrolled in the school's drama program under instructor Susan Ryan, fostering his early interest in performance as the self-described "class clown."[14] In high school at Felix Varela Senior High School in Miami-Dade County, he joined the drama society Troupe 6162, participated in the school's drama department, and engaged in Impromedy, an extracurricular group focused on improvisation and sketch comedy.[12] [13] [5] Beyond structured programs, Jenner pursued acting independently during middle and high school by taking external acting and improvisation classes, performing in school plays, and appearing in local advertisements, reflecting a proactive commitment to honing performance skills without reliance on formal institutional pathways.[3] He also developed musical interests early, beginning to play drums at age nine, which complemented his performative aspirations rooted in music and film.[12] Athletically, he competed in varsity football and wrestling, balancing artistic pursuits with physical activities typical of his Miami upbringing.[12] [5] Demonstrating personal initiative, Jenner graduated from Felix Varela High School a year early and relocated to Los Angeles immediately after to audition for acting opportunities, prioritizing self-directed entry into the entertainment industry over extended academic pursuits.[15] [5] This transition underscored his early resolve to professionalize his talents through direct action rather than prolonged formal education.[16]Career Beginnings
Participation in The Glee Project
Jenner auditioned for the second season of The Glee Project, an Oxygen reality competition series designed to identify talent for the Fox musical drama Glee, through industry channels in 2012.[13] The season featured 14 initial contestants competing in weekly challenges emphasizing vocal performance, acting, improvisation, and thematic elements such as poetry recitation and unconventional tasks like "parrot prison" exercises.[17][18] Throughout the 11-week competition, Jenner navigated eliminations by delivering consistent performances across varied assignments, including group musical numbers and individual showcases that tested adaptability under pressure from mentors and guest judges.[19] He advanced to the finale alongside Ali Stroker and Aylin Bayhan, where contestants performed final solos and group pieces evaluated by series creator Ryan Murphy.[20] On August 14, 2012, Jenner was announced as the season's sole winner, securing a guaranteed seven-episode arc on Glee's fourth season.[20][21] The victory, viewed as an underdog triumph given his relative lack of standout backstory among finalists, generated immediate media attention through post-finale interviews and coverage, elevating his profile within the entertainment industry prior to his Glee debut.[21][17]Role on Glee and Early Television Exposure
Blake Jenner debuted as Ryder Lynn, a transfer student and football player at William McKinley High School struggling with dyslexia, in the fifth episode of Glee's fourth season, "The Role You Were Born to Play," which aired on November 8, 2012.[22] Recruited by Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith) during football practice for his athletic prowess and hidden performing talent, Ryder auditioned for the role of Danny Zuko in the school's production of Grease, leading to his integration into the New Directions glee club.[23] His early arc emphasized mentorship under Finn, who helped him address academic challenges and build confidence through performance, culminating in a duet on Foreigner's "Juke Box Hero" that showcased Ryder's vocal range and stage presence.[24] In seasons four (2012–2013) and five (2013–2014), Ryder's storyline explored his adjustment to glee club dynamics, including rivalries with Jake Puckerman over leadership and romantic interests, as well as personal vulnerabilities like past bullying.[22] Key singing contributions included solos such as Elton John's "Your Song" in the season four episode "Shooting Star," highlighting emotional delivery, and Billy Joel's "An Innocent Man" in season five's "Movin' Out," demonstrating interpretive depth in group musical numbers.[25] [26] Interactions with cast members like Marley Rose (Melissa Benoist) and Kitty Wilde (Becca Tobin) underscored themes of camaraderie and competition, with Ryder often positioned as the earnest newcomer bridging athletic and artistic worlds within the ensemble.[27] The role marked Jenner's primary early television exposure, initially guaranteed as a seven-episode arc from his win on The Glee Project, but extended when he was promoted to series regular alongside four other cast members on June 29, 2013.[28] Airing during Glee's peak viewership periods, with season four episodes averaging 7–9 million viewers, Ryder's introduction drew positive initial fan and critic attention for injecting fresh energy into the show's ensemble, though some later narratives faced scrutiny for contrived conflicts.[23] This visibility established Jenner as a capable vocalist and actor in a high-profile musical series, setting the stage for broader industry recognition without immediate typecasting risks due to the show's genre-blending format.[29]Film and Television Career
Breakthrough Film Roles
Jenner's transition to feature films began with the lead role of Jake Bradford in Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), a spiritual successor to Dazed and Confused set in 1980s Texas college baseball culture.[30] As the incoming freshman pitcher navigating team dynamics and social escapades over one week before classes, Jenner's portrayal emphasized earnest Midwestern charm amid the ensemble's rowdy camaraderie, earning acclaim for authentically evoking transitional youth without caricature.[31] The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 11, 2016, and grossed $4.2 million against a $10 million budget, with critics highlighting its observational humor and Jenner's grounded performance as a fresh anchor for the nostalgic ensemble.[30] Later that year, Jenner appeared as Darian Franklin, the effortlessly popular older brother, in Kelly Fremon Craig's coming-of-age dramedy The Edge of Seventeen (2016), which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 16, 2016, and was released theatrically on November 18.[32] His role as the foil to Hailee Steinfeld's turbulent teen protagonist showcased dramatic range through subtle contrasts of sibling resentment and superficial allure, with reviewers noting Jenner's ability to infuse the character with relatable frustration and quiet depth amid the film's raw high school realism.[33] The movie achieved a 94% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 221 reviews and grossed $14.4 million domestically, solidifying Jenner's shift from television to critically noticed film work.[32] These roles marked his establishment as a versatile screen presence capable of ensemble integration and emotional nuance, distinct from his prior Glee persona.[34]Subsequent Projects and Versatility
Following his breakthrough roles, Jenner took on the part of Warren Lipka in the indie crime drama American Animals (2018), directed by Bart Layton, which dramatizes a real-life 2004 attempted theft of rare books from Transylvania University's library, blending documentary-style interviews with narrative reenactments to explore themes of entitlement and consequence among young men. The film received praise for its stylistic innovation but mixed reviews on its moral ambiguity, with Jenner's performance noted for capturing the character's impulsive bravado.[35] In 2019, Jenner led as Sean Donovan in Netflix's anthology series What/If, a neo-noir social thriller created by Mike Kelley, where he portrayed a principled engineer entangled in ethical dilemmas driven by a wealthy benefactor's hypothetical propositions, showcasing his ability to navigate tense interpersonal dynamics in a genre blending suspense and moral quandaries.[36] The series' first season, opposite Renée Zellweger, emphasized psychological tension over action, highlighting Jenner's shift toward complex, blue-collar protagonists in serialized formats. Jenner continued exploring thriller territory with a supporting role as Mason in Paradise City (2022), an action-oriented film directed by Chuck Russell, featuring John Travolta as a bounty hunter pursuing a criminal network in Hawaii, where Jenner's character adds layers of familial conflict amid high-stakes chases and confrontations. This project marked a foray into more commercial action elements, contrasting his prior indie work. In 2023, he appeared in the romantic drama The Proposal Spot, playing a key role in a narrative centered on serendipitous encounters and personal redemption, further evidencing a pattern of selecting character-driven stories across low-to-mid budget productions. By 2025, Jenner starred in the upcoming Mused, a project delving into artistic inspiration and personal turmoil, underscoring his sustained interest in introspective roles that traverse drama and psychological depth without reliance on franchise vehicles.[1] His post-2016 selections reveal versatility spanning indie realism, moral thrillers, and genre hybrids, often in collaborations with emerging directors or streaming platforms, prioritizing narrative substance over mainstream blockbusters, though output has remained sporadic, averaging one to two releases annually.[2]Stage and Music Endeavors
Theater Performances
Jenner's initial exposure to theater occurred in Miami, where he performed skits and participated in stage productions at the Roxy Performing Arts Center while taking improvisation lessons. In 2008, he joined "Impromedy," a local sketch comedy improv group, further developing his live performance abilities through unscripted ensemble work.[37] After relocating to Los Angeles, Jenner trained extensively in improvisation with The Groundlings comedy troupe, completing multiple levels of classes and eventually performing in a guest show with the group around 2010. This training emphasized rapid comedic timing and audience interaction, core elements of live stage demands distinct from pre-recorded screen acting.[17] His professional stage debut came in summer 2018, portraying Christian de Neuvillette in the world premiere musical adaptation of Cyrano at Goodspeed Musicals' Norma Terris Theatre in East Haddam, Connecticut, running from late August to early September before concluding ahead of schedule due to cast changes, including Jenner's departure for television filming. The production, featuring Peter Dinklage as Cyrano, highlighted Jenner's ability to handle demanding live musical roles requiring precise synchronization with ensemble choreography and vocals. The show later transferred Off-Broadway to the Daryl Roth Theatre under The New Group's production in fall 2019, with Jenner reprising Christian in select performances.[38][39][40] In June 2025, Jenner starred as Robbie Hart, the heartbroken wedding singer, in a revival of The Wedding Singer at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, California, performing through mid-month in a production noted for its high-energy 1980s musical numbers and demanding live band integration. Critics commended his command of the stage, infusing the role with authentic romantic vulnerability and comedic flair suited to the format's immediate audience feedback.[41][42]Musical Contributions and Discography
Jenner's recorded musical output is confined to ensemble performances on Glee cast soundtrack albums, released by Columbia Records between 2012 and 2015, aligning with his portrayal of Ryder Lynn in seasons 4 through 6.[43] These contributions include lead and group vocals on covers of popular songs, but no original compositions or solo projects have been commercially issued.[44] Key releases featuring Jenner include Glee: The Music Presents Glease (November 6, 2012), which contains his solo rendition of "Greased Lightnin'" and shared performances such as "Born to Hand Jive" with castmates Amber Riley, Melissa Benoist, and Jacob Artist. He also appears on Glee Sings the Beatles (September 24, 2013), contributing to "I Saw Her Standing There". Additional credits span seasonal compilations like Glee: The Music, The Complete Season Four (2013), encompassing tracks such as "Juke Box Hero". Independent assessments of Jenner's singing, separate from his acting role, highlight competent vocal technique suited to pop and musical theater styles, as demonstrated in fan-compiled rankings of his Glee solos, which praise numbers like "I Only Have Eyes for You" and "Everybody Hurts" for emotional delivery.[45] However, without standalone releases, his musical reception remains tied to the Glee franchise, with no chart-topping credits or awards attributed solely to his vocals. Post-2015, Jenner has focused on stage musicals rather than recording, yielding no further discography entries.[6]Personal Life
Early Relationships
Prior to his breakthrough on The Glee Project in 2012, Blake Jenner was in a romantic relationship with Maria Correa, whom biographical reports describe as his high school sweetheart from Miami, Florida.[46] The pair dated for approximately three years, spanning from around 2010 to 2012.[46] [47] Correa reportedly relocated from her hometown to Los Angeles to live with Jenner as he pursued early acting opportunities.[13] The relationship overlapped with the initial phase of his public exposure, as evidenced by their joint appearance at the Glee fourth-season premiere screening and reception on September 12, 2012, where media identified her as his girlfriend.[48] Details beyond these reported timelines remain limited in public records, reflecting the pre-fame nature of the involvement.Marriage and Divorce from Melissa Benoist
Blake Jenner and Melissa Benoist met in 2012 while co-starring as love interests Ryder Lynn and Marley Rose on the television series Glee.[49][50] The pair began dating shortly thereafter and became engaged in July 2013.[51][52] Jenner and Benoist kept their relationship private initially, secretly marrying in early 2015 after approximately two years of engagement.[51][52] The couple cohabited following their marriage but separated later that year, with Benoist filing for divorce on December 23, 2016, in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing irreconcilable differences as the grounds.[53][54][55] The divorce proceedings concluded amicably, with the couple reaching a private property settlement agreement and neither party requesting spousal support; the dissolution was finalized on December 21, 2017.[56][57] Following the divorce, Jenner and Benoist pursued separate professional paths, with Benoist remarrying actor Chris Wood in 2019 and Jenner focusing on independent film projects.[58][57]Controversies
Domestic Abuse Allegations and Counterclaims
In November 2019, Melissa Benoist, Jenner's ex-wife from 2013 to 2017, posted an anonymous video on Instagram detailing her experience as a survivor of intimate partner violence, describing emotional manipulation escalating to physical incidents, including a partner throwing her phone at her face, which split her lip and loosened her teeth.[59][60] Although Benoist did not name Jenner, the timeline aligned with their marriage, and subsequent reporting identified him as the partner referenced.[61] No police reports or criminal charges were filed in connection with these allegations.[8] On October 8, 2020, Jenner responded via a lengthy Instagram post, acknowledging his role in inflicting emotional, mental, and physical harm on a former partner—implicitly Benoist—and stating he took "full responsibility" without seeking to absolve himself.[9][62] He countered by describing the relationship as mutually abusive, claiming he endured slaps, punches, and thrown objects, alongside emotional and mental mistreatment, and that both parties sought therapy during and after the marriage.[63][49] Jenner attributed the toxicity to their youth—marrying at ages 21 and 24 amid personal insecurities and unresolved issues—rather than unidirectional dynamics, emphasizing shared growth through counseling over gendered narratives of victimhood.[64] No corroborating evidence beyond their statements has emerged publicly, and the absence of legal proceedings underscores the private nature of the dispute.[8]DUI Arrest and Legal Consequences
On July 9, 2022, Blake Jenner was arrested in Burbank, California, after police pulled him over for failing to stop at a red light.[65] Officers determined he was driving under the influence, leading to misdemeanor DUI charges filed by the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.[66] Jenner was released on $5,000 bail shortly after the arrest.[67] Jenner entered a no-contest plea to the DUI charge on January 13, 2023, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.[68] The plea deal resulted in no jail time; instead, he received five years of summary probation, was required to enroll in and complete an 18-month alcohol and drug education program, and ordered to pay various fines, fees, court costs, and perform community service.[69] His driver's license was suspended for six months as part of the sentencing.[68] This incident marked Jenner's second DUI-related arrest, following a 2014 case resolved via a reckless driving plea.[70]Additional Public Incidents and Scrutiny
In August 2023, unsubstantiated allegations circulated on social media platforms claiming that Jenner had engaged in inappropriate direct messaging with a 14-year-old fan via Instagram, allegedly continuing the interaction after being informed of her age; these claims originated from anonymous user posts sharing purported screenshots but have not been corroborated by any law enforcement reports, mainstream media investigations, or statements from involved parties.[71] Similar unverified anecdotes have appeared in online forums, often amplifying prior controversies without introducing verifiable new details, reflecting a broader pattern of persistent digital scrutiny driven by hearsay rather than documented evidence. No credible sources or official actions have substantiated these post-2020 rumors, distinguishing them from earlier incidents that prompted legal or public responses. Jenner's limited social media activity since returning to Instagram in January 2021 has primarily consisted of professional updates, avoiding direct engagement with such speculations.[72]Reception and Legacy
Critical Assessments and Awards
Jenner's breakthrough role as Ryder Lynn on the television series Glee earned him the 2013 Teen Choice Award for Choice TV: Breakout Star, recognizing his debut performance as a newcomer to the ensemble cast.[73] He also received a Special Achievement Award at the 2017 San Diego International Film Festival, honoring his emerging contributions to independent cinema amid roles in films like The Edge of Seventeen.[73] These accolades, primarily from youth-oriented and festival circuits, reflect early industry acknowledgment of his appeal in coming-of-age narratives rather than competitive categories dominated by veteran performers. Critics have praised Jenner's portrayals of relatable, introspective young men, particularly highlighting his natural charisma and understated vulnerability. In Richard Linklater's Everybody Wants Some!! (2016), where he starred as freshman pitcher Jake Bradford, reviewers commended his lead performance for subverting the "dumb jock" archetype, portraying a thoughtful athlete navigating college camaraderie with quiet authenticity; Roger Ebert's review noted the film's corrective lens on male dynamics, crediting Jenner's grounded depiction as central to its ensemble warmth.[74] Similarly, in The Edge of Seventeen (2016), his role as the affable Nick Moss provided emotional ballast to the teen dramedy, with one assessment describing him as delivering the film's "spark" through a calm, pleasant chemistry that grounded the protagonist's turmoil.[75] The film's 94% approval on Rotten Tomatoes underscores the supportive reception of such supporting turns, where Jenner's everyman quality enhanced thematic explorations of adolescence.[32] However, some evaluations have critiqued Jenner's range as constrained by typecasting in youthful, low-conflict archetypes, potentially limiting depth in more demanding dramatic contexts. While Everybody Wants Some!! garnered an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score for its nostalgic vibe, individual critiques occasionally positioned his lead as serviceable but overshadowed by the ensemble's collective energy, suggesting a reliance on affable likability over nuanced emotional layering.[30] Later stage work, such as in the 2019 Broadway production of Cyrano, drew mixed notes on his portrayal of the "dim pretty boy" Christian, described as ably backed but lacking verbal eloquence to match the role's rhetorical demands.[76] These observations align with Jenner's own reflections on avoiding perpetual high school roles, indicating an industry perception of his strengths in accessible vulnerability rather than versatile intensity.[77]Career Trajectory and Public Image Post-Controversies
Following his October 2020 Instagram statement acknowledging involvement in a physically abusive relationship during his marriage to Melissa Benoist while describing it as mutual "situational couple's violence" and assuming full responsibility, Jenner's career shifted toward smaller-scale independent films and television projects.[8][63] He appeared in supporting roles such as Ryan in the action thriller Paradise City (2022), co-starring John Travolta and Bruce Willis, and Pete Sandres in the romantic comedy The Proposal Spot (2023), both low-budget productions distributed via streaming and limited theatrical release.[1] These roles marked a departure from earlier mid-tier studio films like The Edge of Seventeen (2016), reflecting a pattern of reduced visibility in major Hollywood outputs amid ongoing scrutiny from the allegations.[1] By 2025, Jenner demonstrated resilience through diversification into theater and emerging indie cinema, headlining a Los Angeles production of The Wedding Singer: A Musical Comedy from June 5 to 29 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank, which drew on his Glee-era musical background and received positive local coverage for its nostalgic appeal.[78][79] He also joined the cast of the coming-of-age drama Bound for Glory in September 2025, alongside Jaime King and Chris Kattan, signaling continued opportunities in niche projects despite no return to high-profile franchise or lead roles.[80] An upcoming role in Mused (2025) further indicates steady, albeit modest, employment in the industry up to late 2025.[1] Public perception post-2020 has been mixed, with no widespread industry blacklist but evident caution from major studios, as Jenner's output volume decreased from annual starring vehicles pre-2018 to sporadic appearances, potentially influenced by the allegations' emphasis in media narratives favoring Benoist's account without equal scrutiny of his counterclaims of emotional abuse.[9][61] Fan support persists among niche audiences, evidenced by engagement with his theater return and social media activity, where posts from 2025 highlight creative pursuits without dominant backlash.[81] However, broader cultural shifts toward accountability in entertainment have limited redemption narratives, resulting in a stabilized but non-expansive public image centered on independent work rather than mainstream rehabilitation.[63]Filmography
Film Roles
- Everybody Wants Some!! (2016): Portrayed Jake Bradford, the lead role in Richard Linklater's coming-of-age comedy about college baseball players.[30]
- Within (2016): Played Tommy, a supporting role in the supernatural horror film directed by Phil Claydon.
- The Edge of Seventeen (2016): Acted as Darian, the older brother in Kelly Fremon Craig's teen drama starring Hailee Steinfeld.[32]
- Billy Boy (2017): Starred as Billy Forsetti in the crime drama he also wrote and produced, directed by Bradley Buecker.[82]
- The Vanishing of Sidney Hall (2017): Appeared as Brett Newport, a supporting role in Shawn Christensen's mystery drama featuring Logan Lerman and Elle Fanning.[83]
- American Animals (2018): Depicted Chas Allen in Bart Layton's true-crime heist film, alongside Evan Peters and Barry Keoghan.[35]
- Paradise City (2022): Portrayed Ryan Swan in the action thriller directed by Edward Drake, co-starring John Travolta and Bruce Willis.
Television Roles
Jenner's television career began with a guest appearance as Miller Collins in the ABC Family sitcom Melissa & Joey in 2011.[84] His breakthrough came with a recurring role as Ryder Lynn, a football quarterback and New Directions member struggling with dyslexia, on the Fox musical comedy-drama Glee from 2012 to 2015, spanning 39 episodes across seasons 4 through 6.[85] In the series, Lynn was introduced as a transfer student and love interest for Marley Rose, contributing vocals to performances like "The Bitch Is Back" and "Defying Gravity."[22] Subsequent recurring roles included Adam Foster, a romantic interest for Kara Danvers/Supergirl, on CBS's Supergirl in 2016, appearing in three episodes of season 1.[86] He later portrayed Sean Donovan, a former baseball player turned EMT entangled in moral dilemmas, as a main cast member in the Netflix anthology thriller What/If in 2019, across all 10 episodes.[87] No Emmy nominations or major TV awards were received for these performances.[88]| Series | Years | Role | Episodes | Network/Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melissa & Joey | 2011 | Miller Collins | 1 | ABC Family |
| Glee | 2012–2015 | Ryder Lynn | 39 | Fox |
| Supergirl | 2016 | Adam Foster | 3 | CBS |
| What/If | 2019 | Sean Donovan | 10 | Netflix |