Melissa Marie Benoist is an American actress, singer and dancer. She was born in Littleton, Colorado , the daughter of Julie and Jim Benoist, a physician. Her paternal great-grandfather was of French descent. The rest of her ancestry is German, English, and Scottish. She started dance classes at the age of three and when she was four years old her aunt put her in a church play she was directing.
As a teen, Benoist performed anonymously at Disneyland for three summers with the Academy of Theatre Arts, a musical theatre school located in Littleton, Colorado run by Paul Dwyer and Alann Worley. She performed locally in productions including Cinderella and Bye Bye Birdie at Town Hall Arts Center, and Evita at the Country Dinner Playhouse. In 2006, The Denver Post named Benoist one of Colorado's five "Can't Miss Kids". She graduated from Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, in 2007,and from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City in 2011 with a Bachelor of arts in theatre arts.
Benoist is known for her portrayal of the title character in the CBS/CW superhero drama series Supergirl (2015).She rose to prominence for her portrayal of Marley Rose on the fourth and fifth seasons of the Fox musical comedy-drama television series Glee (2009), and has appeared in films such as Whiplash (2014) ,Danny Collins (2015), The Longest Ride (2015), Lowriders (2016) , Patriots Day (2016) and Sun Dogs (2017).
Known For
Credits
Cast Credits
Crisis on Infinite Earths: Aftermath (2019)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 1x01: Episode 1 (Dec 8, 2019)
Batwoman (2019)
Guest starring as Kara Danvers / Supergirl
- Episode 1x09: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two (Dec 9, 2019) [Special Guest Star]
The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 3x27: Ron Howard, Clint Howard, Melissa Benoist, Scotty McCreery (Oct 19, 2021)
Waco (2018)
Starring as Rachel Koresh
(6 episodes)
- Episode 1x06: Day 51 (Feb 28, 2018)
- Episode 1x05: Stalling for Time (Feb 21, 2018)
- Episode 1x04: Of Milk and Men (Feb 14, 2018)
- Episode 1x03: Operation Showtime (Feb 7, 2018)
- Episode 1x02: The Strangers Across the Street (Jan 31, 2018)
- Episode 1x01: Visions and Omens (Jan 24, 2018)
DC's Legends of Tomorrow (2016)
Guest starring as Supergirl / Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers
(3 episodes)
- Episode 5x01: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Five (Jan 14, 2020) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4 (Nov 28, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 2x07: Invasion! (Dec 1, 2016) [Special Guest Star]
Guest starring as Kara Zor-El (Earth-X) / Overgirl
- Episode 3x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 4 (Nov 28, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
Supergirl (2015)
Starring as Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers / Supergirl
(124 episodes)
- Episode 6x20: Kara (Nov 9, 2021)
- Episode 6x19: The Last Gauntlet (Nov 9, 2021)
- Episode 6x18: Truth or Consequences (Nov 2, 2021)
- Episode 6x17: I Believe in a Thing Called Love (Oct 26, 2021)
- Episode 6x16: Nightmare in National City (Oct 19, 2021)
- Episode 6x15: Hope for Tomorrow (Oct 12, 2021)
- Episode 6x14: Magical Thinking (Oct 5, 2021)
- Episode 6x13: The Gauntlet (Sep 28, 2021)
- Episode 6x12: Blind Spots (Sep 21, 2021)
- Episode 6x11: Mxy in the Middle (Sep 14, 2021)
- Episode 6x10: Still I Rise (Sep 7, 2021)
- Episode 6x09: Dream Weaver (Aug 31, 2021)
- Episode 6x08: Welcome Back, Kara! (Aug 24, 2021)
- Episode 6x07: Fear Knot (May 11, 2021)
- Episode 6x04: Lost Souls (Apr 20, 2021)
- Episode 6x03: Phantom Menaces (Apr 13, 2021)
- Episode 6x02: A Few Good Women (Apr 6, 2021)
- Episode 6x01: Rebirth (Mar 30, 2021)
- Episode 5x19: Immortal Kombat (May 17, 2020)
- Episode 5x18: The Missing Link (May 10, 2020)
- Episode 5x17: Deus Lex Machina (May 3, 2020)
- Episode 5x16: Alex in Wonderland (Mar 22, 2020)
- Episode 5x15: Reality Bytes (Mar 15, 2020)
- Episode 5x14: The Bodyguard (Mar 8, 2020)
- Episode 5x13: It's a Super Life (Feb 23, 2020)
- Episode 5x12: Back from the Future - Part Two (Feb 16, 2020)
- Episode 5x11: Back from the Future - Part One (Jan 26, 2020)
- Episode 5x10: The Bottle Episode (Jan 19, 2020)
- Episode 5x09: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part One (Dec 8, 2019)
- Episode 5x08: The Wrath of Rama Khan (Dec 1, 2019)
- Episode 5x07: Tremors (Nov 17, 2019)
- Episode 5x06: Confidence Women (Nov 10, 2019)
- Episode 5x05: Dangerous Liaisons (Nov 3, 2019)
- Episode 5x04: In Plain Sight (Oct 27, 2019)
- Episode 5x03: Blurred Lines (Oct 20, 2019)
- Episode 5x02: Stranger Beside Me (Oct 13, 2019)
- Episode 5x01: Event Horizon (Oct 6, 2019)
- Episode 4x22: The Quest for Peace (May 19, 2019)
- Episode 4x21: Red Dawn (May 12, 2019)
- Episode 4x20: Will the Real Miss Tessmacher Please Stand Up? (May 5, 2019)
- Episode 4x19: American Dreamer (Apr 28, 2019)
- Episode 4x18: Crime and Punishment (Apr 21, 2019)
- Episode 4x17: All About Eve (Mar 31, 2019)
- Episode 4x16: The House of L (Mar 24, 2019)
- Episode 4x15: O Brother, Where Art Thou? (Mar 17, 2019)
- Episode 4x14: Stand and Deliver (Mar 10, 2019)
- Episode 4x13: What's So Funny About Truth, Justice, and the American Way? (Mar 3, 2019)
- Episode 4x12: Menagerie (Feb 17, 2019)
- Episode 4x11: Blood Memory (Jan 27, 2019)
- Episode 4x10: Suspicious Minds (Jan 20, 2019)
- Episode 4x09: Elseworlds, Part 3 (Dec 11, 2018)
- Episode 4x08: Bunker Hill (Dec 2, 2018)
- Episode 4x07: Rather the Fallen Angel (Nov 25, 2018)
- Episode 4x06: Call to Action (Nov 18, 2018)
- Episode 4x05: Parasite Lost (Nov 11, 2018)
- Episode 4x04: Ahimsa (Nov 4, 2018)
- Episode 4x03: Man of Steel (Oct 28, 2018)
- Episode 4x02: Fallout (Oct 21, 2018)
- Episode 4x01: The American Alien (Oct 14, 2018)
- Episode 3x23: Battles Lost and Won (Jun 18, 2018)
- Episode 3x22: Make It Reign (Jun 11, 2018)
- Episode 3x21: Not Kansas (Jun 4, 2018)
- Episode 3x20: Dark Side of the Moon (May 28, 2018)
- Episode 3x19: The Fanatical (May 21, 2018)
- Episode 3x18: Shelter from the Storm (May 14, 2018)
- Episode 3x17: Trinity (May 7, 2018)
- Episode 3x16: Of Two Minds (Apr 30, 2018)
- Episode 3x15: In Search of Lost Time (Apr 23, 2018)
- Episode 3x14: Schott Through the Heart (Apr 16, 2018)
- Episode 3x13: Both Sides Now (Feb 5, 2018)
- Episode 3x12: For Good (Jan 29, 2018)
- Episode 3x11: Fort Rozz (Jan 22, 2018)
- Episode 3x10: Legion of Super-Heroes (Jan 15, 2018)
- Episode 3x09: Reign (Dec 4, 2017)
- Episode 3x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 1 (Nov 27, 2017)
- Episode 3x07: Wake Up (Nov 20, 2017)
- Episode 3x06: Midvale (Nov 13, 2017)
- Episode 3x05: Damage (Nov 6, 2017)
- Episode 3x04: The Faithful (Oct 30, 2017)
- Episode 3x03: Far from the Tree (Oct 23, 2017)
- Episode 3x02: Triggers (Oct 16, 2017)
- Episode 3x01: Girl of Steel (Oct 9, 2017)
- Episode 2x22: Nevertheless, She Persisted (May 22, 2017)
- Episode 2x21: Resist (May 15, 2017)
- Episode 2x20: City of Lost Children (May 8, 2017)
- Episode 2x19: Alex (May 1, 2017)
- Episode 2x18: Ace Reporter (Apr 24, 2017)
- Episode 2x17: Distant Sun (Mar 27, 2017)
- Episode 2x16: Star-Crossed (Mar 20, 2017)
- Episode 2x15: Exodus (Mar 6, 2017)
- Episode 2x14: Homecoming (Feb 27, 2017)
- Episode 2x13: Mr. & Mrs. Mxyzptlk (Feb 20, 2017)
- Episode 2x12: Luthors (Feb 13, 2017)
- Episode 2x11: The Martian Chronicles (Feb 6, 2017)
- Episode 2x10: We Can Be Heroes (Jan 30, 2017)
- Episode 2x09: Supergirl Lives (Jan 23, 2017)
- Episode 2x08: Medusa (Nov 28, 2016)
- Episode 2x07: The Darkest Place (Nov 21, 2016)
- Episode 2x06: Changing (Nov 14, 2016)
- Episode 2x05: Crossfire (Nov 7, 2016)
- Episode 2x04: Survivors (Oct 31, 2016)
- Episode 2x03: Welcome to Earth (Oct 24, 2016)
- Episode 2x02: The Last Children of Krypton (Oct 17, 2016)
- Episode 2x01: The Adventures of Supergirl (Oct 10, 2016)
- Episode 1x20: Better Angels (Apr 18, 2016)
- Episode 1x19: Myriad (Apr 11, 2016)
- Episode 1x18: Worlds Finest (Mar 28, 2016)
- Episode 1x17: Manhunter (Mar 21, 2016)
- Episode 1x16: Falling (Mar 14, 2016)
- Episode 1x15: Solitude (Feb 29, 2016)
- Episode 1x14: Truth, Justice and the American Way (Feb 22, 2016)
- Episode 1x13: For the Girl Who Has Everything (Feb 8, 2016)
- Episode 1x12: Bizarro (Feb 1, 2016)
- Episode 1x11: Strange Visitor from Another Planet (Jan 25, 2016)
- Episode 1x10: Childish Things (Jan 18, 2016)
- Episode 1x09: Blood Bonds (Jan 4, 2016)
- Episode 1x08: Hostile Takeover (Dec 14, 2015)
- Episode 1x07: Human for a Day (Dec 7, 2015)
- Episode 1x06: Red Faced (Nov 30, 2015)
- Episode 1x05: How Does She Do It? (Nov 23, 2015)
- Episode 1x04: Livewire (Nov 16, 2015)
- Episode 1x03: Fight or Flight (Nov 9, 2015)
- Episode 1x02: Stronger Together (Nov 2, 2015)
- Episode 1x01: Pilot (Oct 26, 2015)
Guest starring as Kara Zor-El (Earth-X) / Overgirl
- Episode 3x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 1 (Nov 27, 2017) [Uncredited]
Guest starring as Snowbird / Linda Lee / Red Daughter
(9 episodes)
- Episode 4x22: The Quest for Peace (May 19, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x21: Red Dawn (May 12, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x17: All About Eve (Mar 31, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x16: The House of L (Mar 24, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x11: Blood Memory (Jan 27, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x10: Suspicious Minds (Jan 20, 2019) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x04: Ahimsa (Nov 4, 2018) [Uncredited]
- Episode 4x01: The American Alien (Oct 14, 2018) [Uncredited]
- Episode 3x23: Battles Lost and Won (Jun 18, 2018) [Uncredited]
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2015-10-26: Sienna Miller, Melissa Benoist, Chance the Rapper (Oct 26, 2015)
The Late Late Show with James Corden (2015)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2019-11-27: Evan Rachel Wood, Melissa Benoist, Mike Birbiglia, Bloc Party (Nov 27, 2019)
- Episode 2015-11-12: Melissa Benoist, Olivia Wilde, Saoirse Ronan (Nov 12, 2015)
The Flash (2014)
Guest starring as Supergirl / Kara Zor-El / Kara Danvers
(5 episodes)
- Episode 6x09: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Three (Dec 10, 2019) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x09: Elseworlds, Part 1 (Dec 9, 2018) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 4x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3 (Nov 28, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x17: Duet (Mar 21, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 3x08: Invasion! (Nov 29, 2016) [Special Guest Star]
Guest starring as Kara Zor-El (Earth-X) / Overgirl
- Episode 4x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 3 (Nov 28, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
Late Night with Seth Meyers (2014)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2017-01-23: Idina Menzel, Melissa Benoist, Kane Brown, Darren King (Jan 23, 2017)
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2016-03-18: John Krasinski, Melissa Benoist, Mike Posner (Mar 18, 2016)
Arrow (2012)
Guest starring as Supergirl
(5 episodes)
- Episode 8x10: Fadeout (Jan 28, 2020) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 8x08: Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Four (Jan 14, 2020) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 7x09: Elseworlds, Part 2 (Dec 10, 2018) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 6x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 2 (Nov 27, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
- Episode 5x08: Invasion! (Nov 30, 2016) [Special Guest Star]
Guest starring as Kara Zor-El (Earth-X) / Overgirl
- Episode 6x08: Crisis on Earth-X, Part 2 (Nov 27, 2017) [Special Guest Star]
Homeland (2011)
Guest starring as Stacy Morton
(2 episodes)
- Episode 1x03: Clean Skin (Oct 16, 2011)
- Episode 1x02: Grace (Oct 9, 2011)
Anderson Live (2011)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2x57: Co-Host Lisa Rinna | Melissa Benoist (Dec 7, 2012)
Conan (2010)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2016-07-21: Nick Kroll, Stephen Amell, Grant Gustin, Melissa Benoist, "Weird Al" Yankovic (Jul 21, 2016)
Glee (2009)
Starring as Marley Rose
(13 episodes)
- Episode 5x13: New Directions (Mar 25, 2014)
- Episode 5x12: 100 (Mar 18, 2014)
- Episode 5x11: City of Angels (Mar 11, 2014)
- Episode 5x10: Trio (Mar 4, 2014)
- Episode 5x09: Frenemies (Feb 25, 2014)
- Episode 5x08: Previously Unaired Christmas (Dec 5, 2013)
- Episode 5x07: Puppet Master (Nov 28, 2013)
- Episode 5x06: Movin' Out (Nov 21, 2013)
- Episode 5x05: The End of Twerk (Nov 14, 2013)
- Episode 5x04: A Katy or a Gaga (Nov 7, 2013)
- Episode 5x03: The Quarterback (Oct 10, 2013)
- Episode 5x02: Tina in the Sky with Diamonds (Oct 3, 2013)
- Episode 5x01: Love, Love, Love (Sep 26, 2013)
Guest starring as Marley Rose
(23 episodes)
- Episode 6x12: 2009 (Mar 20, 2015)
- Episode 4x22: All or Nothing (May 9, 2013)
- Episode 4x21: Wonder-ful (May 2, 2013)
- Episode 4x20: Lights Out (Apr 25, 2013)
- Episode 4x19: Sweet Dreams (Apr 18, 2013)
- Episode 4x18: Shooting Star (Apr 11, 2013)
- Episode 4x17: Guilty Pleasures (Mar 21, 2013)
- Episode 4x16: Feud (Mar 14, 2013)
- Episode 4x15: Girls (and Boys) on Film (Mar 7, 2013)
- Episode 4x14: I Do (Feb 14, 2013)
- Episode 4x13: Diva (Feb 7, 2013)
- Episode 4x12: Naked (Jan 31, 2013)
- Episode 4x11: Sadie Hawkins (Jan 24, 2013)
- Episode 4x10: Glee, Actually (Dec 13, 2012)
- Episode 4x09: Swan Song (Dec 6, 2012)
- Episode 4x08: Thanksgiving (Nov 29, 2012)
- Episode 4x07: Dynamic Duets (Nov 22, 2012)
- Episode 4x06: Glease (Nov 15, 2012)
- Episode 4x05: The Role You Were Born to Play (Nov 8, 2012)
- Episode 4x04: The Break Up (Oct 4, 2012)
- Episode 4x03: Makeover (Sep 27, 2012)
- Episode 4x02: Britney 2.0 (Sep 20, 2012)
- Episode 4x01: The New Rachel (Sep 13, 2012)
Jimmy Kimmel Live (2003)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
(2 episodes)
- Episode 2021-10-05: Rami Malek, Melissa Benoist, Old Dominion (Oct 5, 2021)
- Episode 2018-01-15: Gerard Butler, Melissa Benoist, Mavis Staples (Jan 15, 2018)
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001)
Guest starring as Jessalyn Kerr
- Episode 9x04: Delicate (Apr 20, 2010)
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (1999)
Guest starring as Ava
- Episode 12x05: Wet (Oct 13, 2010) [Co-Star]
Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards (1987)
Guest starring as Melissa Benoist
- Episode 2013-03-23: Kids' Choice Awards 2013 (Mar 23, 2013)