Lea Michele

Lea Michele is an American actress, singer, and author who has had a remarkable career spanning Broadway, television, and music. Born Lea Michele Sarfati on August 29, 1986, in the Bronx, New York City, she was raised in Tenafly, New Jersey. Her mother, Edith, is of Italian descent, and her father, Marc Sarfati, is of Sephardic Jewish descent. Michele began acting as a child, making her Broadway debut at age eight in the musical Les Miserables as Young Cosette in 1995.

Michele’s major breakthrough came when she originated the role of Wendla Bergmann in the Tony Award-winning musical Spring Awakening, which opened on Broadway in 2006. Her powerful vocals and emotional performance earned critical acclaim. She then transitioned to television, landing the iconic role of Rachel Berry on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee, which premiered in 2009. The show ran for six seasons and made Michele a household name. Through Glee, she released numerous songs that charted on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold millions of copies.

Beyond Glee, Michele has released two solo studio albums, Louder (2014) and Places (2017), and has appeared in television shows including Scream Queens and The Mayor. She has also authored two books: Brunette Ambition and You First. In September 2022, she fulfilled a lifelong dream by taking over the role of Fanny Brice in the Broadway revival of Funny Girl, earning rave reviews and becoming the show’s biggest box office draw.

With a net worth of approximately $12 million, Michele’s wealth comes from her extensive television career on Glee, Broadway performances, music sales, book deals, and various endorsement partnerships. Her return to Broadway in Funny Girl reinvigorated her career and public image, proving her enduring talent and star power.