Lea Michele

Like her character Rachel Berry, Glee’s Lea Michele is smart, driven and super talented! This Bronx native has been wowing crowds since age eight, when she played young Cosette in the musical ‘Les Miz’. Get to know Lea Michele, the hardworking Broadway performer who made the successful leap to television and national stardom!

Full Name: Lea Michele Sarfati
Birthday: August 29th, 1986
Hometown: The Bronx, NY
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
Pets: Lea has two cats named Claude and Sheila and a Yorkie dog named Mia
Favorite Actress: Angelina Jolie
Favorite Fashion Designer: Betsy Johnson
Favorite Book: ‘Girl with the Pearl Earring’
Favorite Movie: ‘Almost Famous’
Favorite TV Show: ‘Grey’s Anatomy’

Childhood and Early Career
Lea Michele Sarfati was born on August 29th, 1986 in The Bronx, New York. She was raised in New Jersey by parents Edith, a nurse, and Marc, a deli owner. She is an only child. “I was born in the Bronx, and that's still where most of my extended family lives right now. But at a young age my parents decided that it would be best for me, for my education to move to New Jersey. I went to elementary school in Tenafly, New Jersey, which is right over the George Washington Bridge.”

Growing up in the New York City area, Lea was surrounded by Broadway plays and show tunes. “My best friend at the time, when we were about 8 years old would take me to see musicals with her.” says Lea. “We went to see ‘Camelot’ and I think that I fell asleep, and then we went to see ‘Cats’ and I was scared. Finally, we went to go see ‘The Phantom of the Opera’, and I think that was the first time that I really saw the beauty of theatre and I instantly fell in love with it.”

Lea loved listening to the singers on Broadway, but had no intention of becoming one herself. In fact, Lea landed her first role almost entirely by accident! “They were having an open call for young Cosette in ‘Les Miz’ in my town and she (Lea’s childhood friend) wanted to go audition. Her father unfortunately got very ill the night before. Her mother asked if we would take her since it was such a huge dream of hers, and for whatever reason I decided that I wanted to audition as well. I had been listening to the soundtrack of ‘Phantom’ non-stop and had memorized ‘Angel of Music’. I went in and sang at the open call ‘Angel of Music’ a cappella and I ended up booking it right then and there and that's what started it all for me.”

In 1995, eight year old Lea made her Broadway debut! She was cast as young Cosette in the hit musical ‘Les Miz’. “I did ‘Les Miz’ for a year and a half ‘til I outgrew it, which is what happened with most young Cosettes.” said Lea.

Once Lea got her first taste of performing, she never looked back!

Broadway Babe! >