Chord Overstreet

Singer and actor Chord Overstreet went from relative obscurity to winning the hearts of millions of viewers with a breakout role on "Glee" (Fox, 2009- ). The hit musical comedy series about a group of high school outsiders involved in show choir launched the careers of Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison while earning top accolades for creator Ryan Murphy and featured star Jane Lynch. Overstreet joined the "Glee" cast during its second season as a transfer student who made the right plays as the quarterback of the football team and as the glee club's newest member. His charming performance as "the new guy" made Overstreet an instant favorite amongst the show's fans, while also showcasing his versatile talent and potential.

Nashville, TN-born Chord Overstreet was the son of Paul and Julie Overstreet. His father, a country music singer-songwriter, worked with superstars such as Kenny Chesney and Alison Krauss on their albums. Because he was the third of six children, Overstreet's father came up with name Chord because there were three notes in a musical chord. The future star's parents encouraged him to pursue music at a young age, even giving him a mandolin when he was three. Overstreet learned how to play the drums when he was six, followed by guitar lessons a year later. Shortly after mastering music, Overstreet developed a passion for acting. He made his onscreen debut in the Alloy Entertainment web series, "Private" (2009), about a group of students who get tangled up in a mysterious murder at an exclusive boarding school. The show was based on author Kate Brian's 2006 young adult novel of the same name.

Fresh off of his role on "Private," Overstreet quickly landed parts both in film and on television. In 2009, he appeared on the popular teen series "iCarly" (Nickelodeon, 2007- ). In the episode titled "iSpeed Date," Overstreet played one of several young men who compete in a speed-dating contest for the privilege of taking Carly (Miranda Cosgrove) to a school dance. That same year, he was cast in a supporting role in the independent thriller "The Hole," about two brothers who discover a dark passageway in their basement that leads them to their worst nightmares. Overstreet also landed a minor role opposite "Twilight" (2008) alums Kellan Lutz and Ashley Greene in the action drama "Warrior" (2011). His ever-growing presence in Hollywood also marked Overstreet as a teen heartthrob, especially after it was reported he was dating pop star Demi Lovato and second-generation actress Rumer Willis, the eldest daughter of Bruce Willis and Demi Moore.

Overstreet's musical background helped him land a featured role on Fox's Emmy Award-winning series "Glee." He reportedly performed the Commodores' "Easy" (1977) and Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be" (2003) during his audition. Overstreet joined the "Glee" cast during its second season as a transfer student named Sam Evans. His character was reluctant to join his school's struggling show choir New Directions at first because it conflicted with his time as quarterback of the football team. Upon the urging of his teammate and all-around nice guy Finn Hudson (Cory Monteith), Overstreet's character finally joins the choir. There were rumors that his character was a possible love interest for Chris Colfer's fashionable and gay Kurt Hummel, but the October 2010 episode titled "Duets" revealed he was, in fact, going to be paired up with bubbly cheerleader captain Quinn Fabray (Dianna Agron). "Glee's" loyal audience immediately fell in love with Overstreet's character, especially after his charming rendition of the Colbie Caillat hit "Bubbly" (2007) and for portraying "creature of the night" Rocky - in all his shirtless, golden shorts-wearing glory - on the show's "Rocky Horror Picture Show" (1975)-themed Halloween episode.