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.


Filmography

Film

YearTitleRole2008TennesseeLaurel2014WhiplashNicole2015Danny CollinsJamie2015The Longest RideMarcia2015Band of RobbersBecky Thatcher2016Patriots DayKatherine Russell2016LowridersLorelai2017JuvenileJennifer2017Sun DogsTally Petersen

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes2010Law & Order: Criminal IntentJessalyn KerrEpisode: "Delicate"2010Blue BloodsReneeEpisode: "Privilege"2010Law & Order: Special Victims UnitAvaEpisode: "Wet"2010The Good WifeMollyEpisode: "Nine Hours"2011HomelandStacy Moore2 episodes2012-2014GleeMarley Rose35 episodes2013MasterChefHerselfEpisode 4.102015-2021SupergirlKara Danvers / SupergirlMain role2016-2017The FlashKara Danvers / Supergirl2 episodes2016ArrowKara Danvers / SupergirlEpisode: "Invasion!"2016Legends of TomorrowKara Danvers / SupergirlEpisode: "Invasion!"2018WacoRachel KoreshMini-series

Personal life

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

Footnotes

References

Category:1988 births
Category:Living people
Category:American dancers
Category:Actors from Houston
Category:American movie actors
Category:American stage actors
Category:American television actors