Melissa Benoist
Actress · TV star
38 years (Oct 4, 1988)Houston, Texas, USA
Known for
An American actress and singer who rose from television's 'Glee' (2009) to become a familiar screen presence. She played the shy student Nicole in the Oscar-winning drama 'Whiplash' (2014) before headlining the superhero series 'Supergirl' (2015) as Kara Danvers, a role that made her a genre star. A trained musical performer with a bright, earnest quality, she has moved between film, network drama and comic-book television, anchoring the latter as a warm, resilient leading woman.
Melissa Benoist
Actress · TV star
Known for
An American actress and singer who rose from television's 'Glee' (2009) to become a familiar screen presence. She played the shy student Nicole in the Oscar-winning drama 'Whiplash' (2014) before headlining the superhero series 'Supergirl' (2015) as Kara Danvers, a role that made her a genre star. A trained musical performer with a bright, earnest quality, she has moved between film, network drama and comic-book television, anchoring the latter as a warm, resilient leading woman.
13 Movies
Plays Nicole
Whiplash
2014
Plays Katherine Russell
Patriots Day
2016
Plays Jamie
Danny Collins
2015
Plays Marcia
The Longest Ride
2015
Plays Chronic
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
2019
Plays Auditioner
Clerks III
2022
Plays Lorelai
Lowriders
2017
Plays Overgirl (voice)
Freedom Fighters: The Ray
2018
Plays Susan
The Stew
2019
Plays Becky Thatcher
Band of Robbers
2016
Plays Laurel - age 18
Tennessee
2008
Plays Tally Petersen
Sun Dogs
2017
Plays Jennifer
Billy Boy
2018
14 TV Shows
Director
Plays Kara Danvers / Supergirl / Kara Zor-El
Supergirl
2015
Plays Marley Rose
Glee
2009
Producer
Plays Sadie McCarthy
The Girls on the Bus
2024
Plays Bree Buckley
The Waterfront
2025
Plays Rachel Koresh
Waco
2018
Plays Kara Danvers / Supergirl / Overgirl
The Flash
2014
Plays Kara Danvers / Supergirl
Arrow
2012
Plays Teela (voice)
Masters of the Universe: Revolution
2024
Plays Kara Danvers / Supergirl / Overgirl
DC's Legends of Tomorrow
2016
Plays Stacy Moore
Homeland
2011
Plays Renee
Blue Bloods
2010
Plays Jessalyn Kerr
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001
Plays Molly
The Good Wife
2009
Plays Kara Danvers / Supergirl
Batwoman
2019
Latest Trailers
Watch Trailer
Kevin Conroy: I Am the Knight
Full Filmography
The Waterfront
Bree Buckley · 8 episodes
2025
The Girls on the Bus
Sadie McCarthy · 10 episodes
2024
Masters of the Universe: Revolution
Teela (voice) · 5 episodes
2024
Clerks III
Auditioner
2022
Arrow
Kara Danvers / Supergirl
2016–2020
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot
Chronic
2019
The Flash
Kara Danvers / Supergirl / Overgirl
2019Season 6
Batwoman
Kara Danvers / Supergirl
2019Season 1
The Stew
Susan
2019
Photos
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Melissa Benoist and where are they from?
Melissa Benoist is 38 years old, born on October 4, 1988 in Houston, Texas, USA.
What are the most famous roles of Melissa Benoist?
Melissa Benoist is best known for roles in Whiplash, The Longest Ride, Patriots Day.
How many movies has Melissa Benoist been in?
Over a 18-year career (since 2008), Melissa Benoist has appeared in 13 movies and 14 TV shows.
What was Melissa Benoist's first movie?
The career of Melissa Benoist began with Tennessee (2008).
What is Melissa Benoist's most recent movie or series?
Melissa Benoist's most recent release is 5 Things with Jay Mewes, which premiered on March 5, 2026.
What TV shows has Melissa Benoist appeared in?
On television, Melissa Benoist has appeared in The Flash, Arrow, Supergirl, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
Melissa Benoist
1988-10-04 · Houston, Texas, USA
Melissa Marie Benoist (born October 4, 1988) is an American actress, singer and producer. Her first major role was Marley Rose on the Fox musical comedy drama Glee (2012–2014), where she was a series regular during the fifth season. She rose to widespread prominence for portraying the title character on the CBS / CW superhero series Supergirl (2015–2021), along with related media in the Arrowverse franchise.
Benoist's film appearances include the psychological drama Whiplash (2014), the comedy drama Danny Collins (2015), the crime comedy Band of Robbers (2015), the romantic Western The Longest Ride (2015), the action thriller Patriots Day (2016), the drama Lowriders (2016), and the comedy drama Sun Dogs (2017). She also portrayed the wife of cult leader David Koresh on the Paramount Network miniseries Waco (2018). On stage, Benoist made her Broadway debut in 2018 as Carole King in the jukebox musical Beautiful: The Carole King Musical.