We know, we know. It's hard to believe the 'Glee' cast was ever anything more than a bunch of singing, dancing, cavity-inducing kids. Or in Sue Sylvester's case, a cringe- and quote-worthy tyrant. But they all had lives and gigs before they became award-winning household names -- however weird and embarrassing they may have been. Hollywood Life recently reported Cory Monteith was a Wal-Mart greeter before his big break. You know who else had a sucky part-time job in a department store? Finn Hudson. Which got us thinking -- how similar are the actors to their 'Glee'-ful alter-egos?
We did some digging, and rated the best pre-'Glee' careers against their characters. See how the stars match up after the jump.
Chris Colfer
When he was younger, Colfer played Sancho Panza in a high school production of 'Man of La Mancha.' Gleek Factor: 9. If McKinley High did normal musicals -- read: not 'Rocky Horror' -- Kurt Hummel would be all over that. Though we think Sancho's costume would turn Kurt off. He'd much rather go for Don Quixote.
Lea Michele
Not only was she all over Broadway since she was a kid, in shows like 'Les Miserables' and 'Spring Awakening,' but she also went to theater kid haven, Stagedoor Manor. Gleek Factor: 10. Theater camp? Come on, if Stagedoor Manor existed in the fictional world our Gleeks live in, you know Rachel Berry would beg her gay dads to send her there every summer. See Lea and the 'Spring Awakening' cast perform at the 2007 Tony Awards:
Matthew Morrison
Basically a male version of Lea Michele. Except replace 'Les Mis' and 'Spring Awakening' with 'The Light in the Piazza' and 'Hairspray.' Gleek Factor: 7. They're both pretty much theater nerds. But Morrison was never a teacher, so we're docking his Gleekiness a few points. See him do a song from 'Hairspray' on Caroline Rhea's show:
Jenna Ushkowitz
Pre-'Glee' Ushkowitz was a host of the YES Network's 'Yankees on Deck.' But don't let the sportiness fool you -- she also starred in 'Spring Awakening,' like co-star Lea Michele. Gleek Factor: 3. If it wasn't for her foray into sports journalism and her overall sunny disposition in interviews, her Gleekiness would rank higher thanks to the stint on ol' Broadway. But Tina Cohen-Chang is not the cheeriest of the bunch. And baseball? Please. As if any of the Gleeks have a clue who Nick Swisher or Mark Teixeira are, especially Tina. All she cares about is Mike Chang's abs and her Hot Topic wardrobe. See her 'Spring Awakening' vid:
Kevin McHale
So ... remember boy bands? Yeah. Kevin McHale (sans trademark specs) was in a boy band, one called NLT. Uh huh. That's pretty much all there is to say about that. Gleek Factor: 6. So what if Artie can't walk and wears terrible Cosby sweaters? He's kind of a ladies man, scoring with both Tina and Brittany. And every time he has one of those fever dreams where he magically regains functions of his legs (see The Safety Dance) we remember that Artie, despite his handicap, can really dance, just like McHale in his boy band days. See an NLT music video:
Heather Morris
She's one of the biggest surprises to come out of 'Glee' since the show premiered. Before she perfected the "dumb blond cheerleader" cliché, she was one of Beyonce's back up dancers -- which is why she was originally hired to teach the 'Glee' cast the 'Single Ladies' dance to perform in an episode. And that was enough for Ryan Murphy to cast her as Brittany, only one week later. Gleek Factor: 3. We all know Brittany S. Pierce can dance, but that's about where the similarities end. Morris has much more going on between the ears than Brittany ever will, which is why both Brittany and Morris are our favorites. Not everyone can seriously deliver lines like "I'm pretty sure my cat's been reading my diary." But somehow she pulls it off every single time. See Heather Morris as Beyonce's back-up dancer:
Darren Criss
Before coming on as the newest cast member and Kurt's love interest, Criss co-wrote and starred in the most amazing thing ever: 'A Very Potter Musical,' which is exactly what it sounds like. And yes, you should watch the whole thing immediately. Gleek Factor: 10. Blaine is the hot star of The Warblers, and charming and clever to boot. Criss is the hot star of our hearts. So basically, they're the same person. Plus, we don't think it's beyond Blaine to be so, totally awesome that he writes a whole musical in his free time. Check out 'A Very Potter Musical Pt. 1':
Jane Lynch
She's been doing comedy for years, showing up in Christopher Guest and Judd Apatow films, but one of her earliest gigs was in a Frosted Flakes commercial way back when. Gleek Factor: 7. Jane Lynch is just as witty and hilarious as Sue Sylvester. But there's no way Lynch is anywhere near as cold-hearted as Sue, thank goodness. See the commercial:
Mike O'Malley
No matter how many shows he's on or how many Emmys he's nominated for, Mike O'Malley will always be remembered for one thing: Hosting Nickelodeon's 'GUTS,' aka the greatest sports game show of all time. Gleek Factor: 6. O'Malley and Burt Hummel actually have quite a bit in common. They're both the total guy's guy, they both like sports, they're both adorably awkward and sweet. But, as far as we know, O'Malley doesn't have a gay teenage son ... or a heart problem. See a 'GUTS' clip:
bull-loney....... Chris and Jane are gay, Darren is not (but his character is)......what is Glee's msg? That bullying is wrong and life is diverse.....how horrible for your kids to know this! This is the most realistic show on TV. Why don't you monitor 'Skins'?
FINALLY someone recognizes Darren Criss as the writer and star of A Very Potter Musical!!! When he first joined the cast, articles always just noted him for his short stint on "Eastwick." But at UMich, in AVPM is where he got his big start! That's where his big fan base is really from.
if people just keep making people, to make more people , whats the point ? to watch more tv ? to lower the standard of life ? a tax deduction ? oh yea i forgot , before the cig ,it was love lol.
Glee glorifies sexual deviance.. Woe to those who say evil is good," the bible says. They are wicked for spreading this abomination which God calls it.
You are an incredibly stupid person. Glee does not 'glorify sexual deviance' there are no 'gay predators'. It's a television show, and if this show glorifies anything it shows children that don't exactly fit in with society, that they can find a place with music. It shows hope to geekier kids that there are friends available out there. It's an incredible show, filled with incredible people. And you are a just pathetic person holding a bible.
Oh, PUH-LEEZE! Another dolt who can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality! They're ACTORS playing PARTS! Get a life, for heavens sake! And instead of doing God's job (judging) remember that the Bible says that "God does not think as man thinks". Maybe try reading Romans TWO!!!
Diane, do us all a favor and take your bible thumping garbage and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. You're the one thats an abomination. I'd tell you to go to hell but there really isn't one. Maybe one can be made just for people like you.
"But what you have here are not pedophiles. You have predatory gay men—and . And these predatory gay men found their way into the Catholic priesthood in inordinately large numbers and these gay men have gone after young males. They rape teenagers so they are not pediphiles.
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."They are contrary to the natural law.
Wow.....you truly have evil in your heart diana. You will NEVER see heaven without love in your heart. Grow up and quit trying to judge everybody - not your job! The bible says all sorts of things that society has deemed to be man's influence in it's writing.
You had better make sure that YOUR house is squeaky clean before pointing the fingers at anyone else lady. And I'll bet millions that it isn't. And by the way is it diane or diana? If you don't even know your own name, stay away from the drugs.
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bull-loney.......
Chris and Jane are gay, Darren is not (but his character is)......what is Glee's msg? That bullying is wrong and life is diverse.....how horrible for your kids to know this! This is the most realistic show on TV. Why don't you monitor 'Skins'?
am i the only one who was excited to see avpm on here? yes, it is totally awesome. don't forget supermegafoxyawesomehot!
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FINALLY someone recognizes Darren Criss as the writer and star of A Very Potter Musical!!! When he first joined the cast, articles always just noted him for his short stint on "Eastwick." But at UMich, in AVPM is where he got his big start! That's where his big fan base is really from.
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Nothing about Mike Chang? :-(
What an incredible talent he is!
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Who cares? This show sucks big time.
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So far only Lea Michelles has "gone Hollywood" !
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IS ANYONE ELSE SICK OF GLEE? NEVER WATCHED...NEVER WILL!
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YOU'RE AN IDIOT
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if people just keep making people, to make more people , whats the point ? to watch more tv ? to lower the standard of life ? a tax deduction ? oh yea i forgot , before the cig ,it was love lol.
Reply
Glee glorifies sexual deviance.. Woe to those who say evil is good," the bible says. They are wicked for spreading this abomination which God calls it.
Reply
You are an incredibly stupid person. Glee does not 'glorify sexual deviance' there are no 'gay predators'. It's a television show, and if this show glorifies anything it shows children that don't exactly fit in with society, that they can find a place with music. It shows hope to geekier kids that there are friends available out there. It's an incredible show, filled with incredible people. And you are a just pathetic person holding a bible.
The malice in your heart will send you straight to hell diane.
Oh, PUH-LEEZE! Another dolt who can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality! They're ACTORS playing PARTS! Get a life, for heavens sake! And instead of doing God's job (judging) remember that the Bible says that "God does not think as man thinks". Maybe try reading Romans TWO!!!
Diane, do us all a favor and take your bible thumping garbage and shove it where the sun doesn't shine. You're the one thats an abomination. I'd tell you to go to hell but there really isn't one. Maybe one can be made just for people like you.
"But what you have here are not pedophiles. You have predatory gay men—and . And these predatory gay men found their way into the Catholic priesthood in inordinately large numbers and these gay men have gone after young males. They rape teenagers so they are not pediphiles.
Reply
Just shut up. No one is taking you seriously at all. You just sound like a looney in need of medication.
Basing itself on Sacred Scripture, which presents homosexual acts as acts of grave depravity, tradition has always declared that "homosexual acts are intrinsically disordered."They are contrary to the natural law.
Reply
Wow.....you truly have evil in your heart diana. You will NEVER see heaven without love in your heart. Grow up and quit trying to judge everybody - not your job! The bible says all sorts of things that society has deemed to be man's influence in it's writing.
You had better make sure that YOUR house is squeaky clean before pointing the fingers at anyone else lady. And I'll bet millions that it isn't. And by the way is it diane or diana? If you don't even know your own name, stay away from the drugs.
Pot calling the kettle
Reply