Melissa Benoist

**Melissa Marie Benoist** (born October 4, 1988) is an American actress. Her first major role was Marley Rose on the Fox musical comedy drama _Glee_ (2012–14), where she was a series regular in the fifth season. She became popular for playing the title character in _Supergirl_ (2015–21).

On September 18, 2024, it was announced that she had joined the cast of the Netflix family drama _The Waterfront_. On December 5, 2024, it was said that Benoist would star in a new NBC drama series, _Duo_. The project is being developed by her company Three Things Productions, with her serving as an executive producer.

### Film

|Year|Title|Role|
| --- | --- | --- |
|2008|_Tennessee_|Laurel|
|2014|_Whiplash_|Nicole|
|2015|_Danny Collins_|Jamie|
|2015|_The Longest Ride_|Marcia|
|2015|_Band of Robbers_|Becky Thatcher|
|2016|_Patriots Day_|Katherine Russell|
|2016|_Lowriders_|Lorelai|
|2017|_Juvenile_|Jennifer|
|2017|_Sun Dogs_|Tally Petersen|

### Television

|Year|Title|Role|Notes|
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|2010|_Law & Order: Criminal Intent_|Jessalyn Kerr|Episode: "Delicate"|
|2010|_Blue Bloods_|Renee|Episode: "Privilege"|
|2010|_Law & Order: Special Victims Unit_|Ava|Episode: "Wet"|
|2010|_The Good Wife_|Molly|Episode: "Nine Hours"|
|2011|_Homeland_|Stacy Moore|2 episodes|
|2012-2014|_Glee_|Marley Rose|35 episodes|
|2013|_MasterChef_|Herself|Episode 4.10|
|2015-2021|_Supergirl_|Kara Danvers / Supergirl|Main role|
|2016-2017|_The Flash_|Kara Danvers / Supergirl|2 episodes|
|2016|_Arrow_|Kara Danvers / Supergirl|Episode: "Invasion!"|
|2016|_Legends of Tomorrow_|Kara Danvers / Supergirl|Episode: "Invasion!"|
|2018|_Waco_|Rachel Koresh|Mini-series|

### First marriage

In 2015, Benoist and her _Glee_ co-star Blake Jenner were reportedly married. Benoist commented that they had been married "longer than anybody knows". In December 2017, they divorced.

#### Survivor of domestic violence

In 2015, Benoist suffered an iris injury. In November 2019, Benoist discussed her experience as a domestic violence survivor, revealing that her iris injury was caused by an iPhone thrown at her. Benoist also said that she had survived extreme control and severe violence, including being choked, punched, slapped, shoved onto a wall, and dragged by her hair.

In October 2020, her ex-husband Blake Jenner admitted guilt, while alleging that she also assaulted him. Benoist discussed healing from her trauma, saying that Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy saved her.

### Second marriage

In 2016, Benoist met Chris Wood when he cast as Mon-El in _Supergirl_. Their romantic relationship was confirmed in 2017. She recalled: "We met each other at the perfect time in our lives."

Benoist and Wood announced their engagement on February 10, 2019, and married in September 2019, holding a private ceremony in Ojai, California. On March 4, 2020, the couple announced that they were expecting their first child. She gave birth to her son on September 25, 2020.

## Advocacy

In October 2017, Benoist helped Wood launch the campaign "IDONTMIND", working to decrease stigma around mental health and provide education. She discussed her depression and anxiety attacks since she was 13. She said that Wood encouraged her to share her own issues.

## Related pages

- Lili Reinhart
- Amanda Seyfried

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Melissa Benoist
- **image**: File:Melissa Benoist LA Film Festival (cropped).jpg
- **caption**: Benoist at Los Angeles, LA Film Festival, 2015
- **birth name**: Melissa Marie Benoist
- **birth place**: Houston, Texas, United States, U.S.
- **alma mater**: Marymount Manhattan College (Bachelor of Arts, BA)
- **years active**: 2000 –
- **children**: 1