Dianna Elise Agron, born April 30, 1986, is a 27-year-old American actress and singer most known for her role as the once-pregnant high school cheerleader Quinn Fabray on the FOX hit-comedy TV show, Glee. As of Season Four, she is no longer part of the main cast and will only appear as guest star on selected episodes.
She also stars as Sarah Hart in I Am Number Four with Alex Pettyfer, Natalie in Burlesque, and Minnow in The Romantics.
In 2013, Dianna played Belle Blake, the daughter of a mafia boss, in the thriller-comedy The Family and will be part of the main cast of Famous as Sophia. Additionally, she has appeared in other television shows such as Heroes and Mall World. In December 2011, she launched a website called You, Me, & Charlie as a place to stay positive and optimistic through art and designs.
Dianna Agron was born in Savannah, Georgia, the daughter of Mary (née Barnes) and Ronald S. Agron, a general manager of Hyatt hotels. She was raised in San Francisco and also lived in San Antonio, Texas for several years. Agron's father's family is originally from Russia, and their original surname, "Agronsky," was altered by Ellis Island officials. Her father is Jewish and her mother converted to Judaism. Agron attended Hebrew school and had a bat mitzvah. She attended Burlingame High School in California. She performed in her high school's version of the musical Grease, as Marty.
Teenage Dianna
She has been dancing since the age of three, and began teaching dance as a teenager. She says she was not "popular" in the stereotypical sense in high school, though she had many friends from different cliques around the school.
When she was 15, she found out her dad had multiple sclerosis. In an interview for Cosmopolitan magazine, she revealed: “Quite a bit changed after that,” she says. "At that age, you don't see mortality in your parents." The disease caused her parent's relationship to fall apart, and they decided to separate, which was devastating for her and her younger brother. "I had to play therapist to my family... be the glue." She pauses, then says, "Those kinds of things I'm not ready to speak about yet." She is also very private with her personal life.
Career
Dianna Agron on CSI New York
Dianna Agron has appeared on television shows such as Shark, Close to Home, CSI NY, Numb3rs and a recurring role on Veronica Mars. She then appeared as Harper on a 13-episode series of short films called It's a Mall World, directed by Milo Ventimiglia, and airing on MTV, and then on the second season of Heroes as Debbie Marshall, the head cheerleader/captain of the cheer squad at Costa Verde High School, also with Ventimiglia. Dianna has also hosted a mini Music Festival for 826LA in Los Angeles called Chickens in Love.
Dianna Agron on Heroes
She was among many young Hollywood stars selected to be in Wal-Mart's Ocean Pacific spring 2010 marketing campaign. The national campaign debuted in fashion, lifestyle and entertainment magazines such as Elle, Teen-Vogue, Seventeen and Cosmopolitan, outdoor and online at the official Ocean Pacific website. In addition, the celebrities hosted an Ocean Pacific party in Los Angeles in late April and made personal appearances on behalf of the brand.
Her most well know, notable role is Quinn Fabray, on Glee, which has received high rating
Dianna Agron in I Am Number 4
s and critical acclaim, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe, since the series began in May 2009. In 2010, Agron directed the music video for "Body" by Thao with the Get Down Stay Down. She also played the small role of Natalie, girlfriend to main character Ali's love interest Jack, in the movie Burlesque alongside Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Stanley Tucci. Agron was chosen by People to be part of their Most Beautiful 2010. She also came 26th in the 2010 Afterellen.com top Hot 100 list. Agron appeared alon
Dianna promoting Nintendo 3DS
gside Alex Pettyfer and Timothy Olyphant as Sarah Hart in the 2011 science-fiction action thriller I Am Number Four, directed by D. J. Caruso. The film success iniatially pulled a planned sequel but Agron and Pettyfer real life break up stopped production. As of 2012, Dianna Agron will star in various commercials such as the Nintendo Game 3DS and 3DS XL games that involves games representing Arts.
On September 14, 2012, it was reported by Us Weekly that Dianna had in fact quit Glee. It was reported that she is unhappy and wanted out from the show for quite sometime now. Rumors have begun since Season 2 when it was reported that Dianna was unhappy with the less screen time she has. She is also reportedly forced to turn down movie roles in order to be on Glee. During Season 3, it was reported that Ryan Murphy was upset with Dianna's storyline about Beth (Shelby-Quinn Conflict) for it had created an uproar among critics and parents. She is also among notable absentees for all glee events and magazine photoshoots. A representative for her, however, has denied this claim. Her name is still no longer in the opening credits. It has been reported that she has been demoted to recurring/guest star status for Season 4. Source. She has only appeared in three episodes of Season 4: Thanksgiving, Naked, and I Do. Her contract for Season 4 includes her to sing at least once whenever she is present for the respective episode.
Although it was initially reported that she would not be returning for Glee's 5th Season , due to being "done" and "finished" with Glee, Agron will be present for the 100th episode of Glee airing in March 2014. She expressed happiness while hinting at it while Ryan confirmed on his official Twitter.
In July 2012, Agron confirmed reports of her role as Belle Blake in the upcoming film Malavitawhich hits Worldwide Cinema in 2013. She is also a Narrator for the documentary film Unity where she speaks about Sexism.
Dianna in The Family
Agron was casted in The Family as Belle, a role which Luc Besson thought of Agron while writing the Belle character, and filmed the movie from August - October 2012. The Glee cast and crew supported Dianna's departure from the show to be part of the film. The movie was released on September 13, 2013.
Agron was announced to have joined the cast of A Conspiracy on Jekyll Island in October 2013. Production is going to begin November 2013.
She is also in the video 'Just Another Girl' by The Killers
Her father's family emigrated from Russia in the early 1900s, they were Jews. Her mother's family has Irish and German roots. Her mother converted in order to marry her father.
Enjoys cooking, reading, being outdoors, challenging herself, and spending time with family and friends.
She has a younger brother named Jason Agron.
Is a member of PETA and is vegetarian.
Studied ballet as a child and then moved to Hip-Hop and other types of dance. She also taught dance and choreography as a teenager.
Was roommates with Lea Michele during the first thirteen episodes of Glee.
According to Robert Ulrich, the casting director for Glee, Dianna Agron is a serious triple threat (singing, dancing and acting).
Spent much of her youth between hotels in San Francisco and Savannah duet.
Her father was a general manager with Hyatt.
Can speak a little bit of Hebrew.
Considers elephants to be her favorite non-domesticated animal.
Dislikes having blood drawn, which causes her to faint.
Considers Alice in Wonderland to be her favorite book and recommended it to ChrisColfer.
Chose "felldowntherabbithole" as her Tumblr URL, referencing Alice in Wonderland.
Has a tattoo written in slab serif on her left ribcage, which reads "Mary Had a Little Lamb." The lamb refers to herself, and Mary refers to her mother, Mary.
Owned a dog named Arthur, who passed away in December 2012 from lung cancer.
Still owns her first childhood toy: a stuffed bear named Teddy Bear.
Was crowned homecoming princess in her junior year of high school.
Is of Jewish faith. Ironically, her character in Glee is a devout Christian.
Sang "Fly Me to the Moon" when auditioning for Glee.
Came second place in "Spelling Bee for Cheaters," a nonprofit event for charity held by 826LA.
Went to her first concert with her father to see The Who.
Dislikes foods touching each other when eating a meal. (Her mom jokes that she should use a kid divider plate for meals)
Directed, produced, wrote and starred in a short film called A Fuchsia Elephant.
Studied at Burlingame High School.
Has an obsession with strange pets and plans to own an octopus.
Has several nicknames, including Di, Lady Di, Charlie and Lamb.
Was in honors classes in high school.
Finds calmness at beaches and cemeteries.
Has an affinity for dark motifs, including pirates, skulls, and witchcraft.
Considers three and thirteen to be her luckiest numbers.
Often experiences luck on Friday the 13th.
Enjoys the works of Tim Burton.
Instructed dance classes as a teenager.
Wears dresses almost every day.
Has a nasal voice due to a deviated septum, which was caused by an accidental strike to her face as a teenager.
She grew up in a hotel.
She finds cemeteries peaceful and tranquil and she goes to them with her iPod and can spend hours there.
Adores vintage actresses, such as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and Lucille Ball.
Appeared first in the opening credits of Glee, due to alphabetization, now, she is a recurring character.
Cut her hair to half its length after filming the second season of Glee. They made this part of the plot, saying that Quinn is depressed that Finn dumped her and in order to cheer her up Santana and Brittany suggests that she gets a haircut.
Dated Alex Pettyfer around the release of I Am Number Four. Pettyfer also dated actress Emma Roberts who dated Dianna's Glee co-star Chord Overstreet.
Cannot perform cartwheels.
Says she has learned the most from Lea. Lea has taught her to stand up for herself more and to realize that she can't be in 10 places at the same time.
Has never broken a bone.
Was number 8 on the AfterEllen's 2011 Hot 100 list.
When the cast of Glee was flying from Sydney to Melbourne, a crazy guy grabbed Dianna's face and kissed her. Lea yelled and pushed him off of Dianna. A stewardess who didn't see what was happening turned around and said, "You two be quiet!" Lea yelled, "No, that man just kissed my friend!"
Her middle name is Elise.[1] Fans had widely assumed it was "Charlotte" as one of her pet nicknames is "Charlie."
Used "alittlelamb" as her Twitter username since June 19, 2009. On June 15, 2011, she changed it to "DiannaAgron" for easier distinction. It is believed the change was made so her account could be officially verified by Twitter, which happened shortly afterwards.
Dianna with her Audi A4
Is aware of Faberry; she hasn't read it but hears it's pretty steamy and isn't opposed to the storyline.
Is aware of the rumors surrounding her and Lea Michele.
She is a supporter of the San Jose Sharks, as seen on her Tumblr when she and co-star Naya Rivera are seen wearing Sharks hockey jerseys.
While filming Mattress, she accidentally kicked Chris Colfer in the groin while rolling on a mattress.
On June 11, 2011 during a show in Toronto of the Glee Live Tour, she chose to wear a "Likes Girls" shirt instead of her usual "Lucy Caboosey" shirt for the performance of Born This Way. She later wrote about it on her tumblr expressing her support for the LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgendered) citizens. This caused her to be a trending topic on Twitter. She started the hashtag, #letlovein, as this was included in her tumblr post. As she said, "And if any are interested in tracking the chain, perhaps visualizing the greater collective, include the hash tag, #letlovein."
Would live down the rabbit hole in a world of nonesense.
At one concert with a smaller stage, she was standing too close to where fireworks were about to go off, but Lea saved her saying "Come over here, you're about to die!"
Was once caught smoking, but she said that it was because she was drunk. She said that she has not smoked since then and she hasn't been spotted smoking again.
She is proud to be Jewish.
She is an alto.
Dianna with her late dog Arthur
Visited two psychics and both readings revealed a person called "Charlie," which was attributed to being her name in a past life. She has since adopted it as a nickname.
After breaking her nose again around Glee Live 2011, she finally got her deviated septum fixed, and she's no longer a mouth-breather.
Is allergic to cats. This was a problem when she and Lea were living together. The cast found some kittens on the set and Lea brought some home.
Her parents divorced when she was 15, because after they found out about her dads multiple sclerosis, it tore their relationship apart. Dianna said she had to play therapist in the family, but she isn't ready to talk about it yet since it was so hard for her and her younger brother.
Rarely talks about her personal life.
Wouldn't mind Quinn becoming lesbian or bisexual on Glee.
Drives a grey/silver coloured Audi A4.
She has naturally blonde hair.
Was called the biggest flirt in the cast of Glee.
Was cast on Glee two days before they started shooting. This is why she is barely in the pilot.
Because they had not cast Quinn, writers considered scrapping the character.
She and Brad Falchuk are the ones who drew Puck's "Clown Pig" that he gave to Beth in I Am Unicorn.
She speaks Spanish, as she studied it for four years.
Was drunk at the 2011 Golden Globes along with Lea Michele.
Dianna is #75 on BuddyTV's "TV's 100 Sexiest Women of 2011."
Likes the band Radiohead.
On December 12, 2011, Dianna launched You, Me & Charlie. She wanted to extend her tumblr blog after she saw how much her posts meant to readers, and what they have sent to her. The 'About' section of the website includes her mission: "I want you to join me now. Let's share this space as an art collective. There's enough negativity in this world to smother all of us into a state of infinite sadness. Why not counter that? That's what this site is for. I hope it just does that."
On her tumblr, she made a promise to answer every person who sends her a [legitimate] message, saying that it may take a while, but she'll find extra time between work. She only requested that people keep her replies to themselves and close family and friends because they are all written from the heart and with deep thought. She doesn't want people to compare replies or post them on the internet.
Both I Am Number Four and Glee, the two things she is most known for, were set in Ohio.
In Texas, she was picked on for being Jewish. "I knew nobody that was Jewish, like I was. That was one of the most obvious things those kids picked up on, and picked on me for. "Jew girl!" "Latke girl!"
Dianna Agron
Dianna's Twitter account was hacked on the 18th December 2011, and, had started many trending topics (For example: #DirtyDianna). The hacker also got into Dianna Agron's personal email, and the hacker started leaking songs, scripts and episode titles.
Had seen Lea on Spring Awakening a year before working on Glee with her.
She does not miss having her long hair.
She wrote co-star Chris Colfer's paragraph for Time's 100 Inspirational People list.
Is the fourth Glee Cast member to get 1 million followers on twitter.
Is number 44 on FHM's 100 Sexiest Women In The World 2012.
She is good friends with Taylor Swift although she was rumored to be in a love triangle with her and Tim Tebow, she later denied the rumors. She has lately been hanging out with Taylor swift.
She said in the GLAAD Awards that she already kissed girls and said that it was fun.
Describes herself as very girly and loves to wear dresses.
Quotes
[on taking many pictures of the Glee cast on set] "I try to do it most when we're travelling. On set we have an on set photographer, and I do have a few lines to remember, but photography has definitely been my favorite way to remember things. At least for me that's how my brain processes things, of memories or moments - if I take a picture of it I can remember so many more details. I think it's about choosing the exact picture in my head that signifies or symbolizes a moment - almost as if you're using film. It's almost archaic."
[about the rumors about her and Lea Michele and the GQ photo shoot] "When it was just Lea and me, I was like, 'We're in skimpy clothes, we're up against each other. This is feeding those rumors.' I've never been shot in so little clothing."
"Everybody is convinced that Lea and I are in a relationship. There are supposedly forums with photos of us hugging at work or events. It's funny, but flattering — Lea is beautiful. Since when can't you hug your friends?"
"I oddly didn't scare @alxanders, he just laughed, which is making me understand that people get me. And my oddities."
[about where she thinks the Quinn-Rachel relationship will go] "They definitely have their moments of turning to each other. I don't know. I think it's so tricky with them because obviously they've had this kind of love triangle situation - sometimes even more than that with Puck and everything like that. It depends on the maturity of the girl. Sometimes I feel people can move past what they've grown up around and their surroundings while in a place and some people need closure after they've left and then coming back. I've seen it happen with people I knew growing up that hated each other, and then years later you go home and you see them walking down the street and they have babies. I think it's really difficult because high school is one of the most volatile and emotional stages of your life."
"When I first moved to LA, I lived in a one bedroom apartment, and it got a little seedy around our area. One time, SWAT was at our building because somebody's houseguest had gone off their meds and was schizophrenic and shouting, 'He's going to kill me, He's going to kill me!' Somebody called the cops. I'm coming home from a dance class and I see this chopper circling my building and SWAT all downstairs."
"When you're sad, you're not sad. You are merely oblivious to the good things in your life. There is always a crack of light in the darkness. Find it."
"What a world we live in. I want to be incredibly close to the heart of it all. To live honestly, truthfully and to be completely present is the ultimate enterprise. And right now, I couldn't possibly ask for anything more. I'm a very lucky girl."
"I've vowed that, this summer I'll go somewhere. But if I go to Africa, I may never come back. I'm just going to live with the animals and adopt an elephant, and it's going to be my friend."
"Maybe I was a pirate in my past life. I didn't kill people, though. I was just a badass."
"I must say, I am trying to live my life with a sharpie marker approach. You can't erase the strokes you've made, but each step is much bolder and more deliberate."
"Without love we are not truly living. Nobody in this world wants to feel alone. We are all the best versions of ourselves when we have love and acceptance in our lives."
"Year by year I learn more about myself, and I think that confidence and honesty and just really being true to yourself is probably the most beautiful thing that you can do for yourself and the people around you."
"Photography has definitely been my favorite way to remember things. At least for me that’s how my brain processes things, of memories or moments - if I take a picture of it I can remember so many more details. I think it’s about choosing the exact picture in my head that signifies or symbolizes a moment - almost as if you’re using film. It’s almost archaic."
“Look, we are human, we make mistakes. I will gladly shout from the rooftops that I am not perfect. Nor will I ever be. But I can happily say that to my knowledge, I do not ever intentionally cause people pain.”
"I am all about loving, welcoming and searching for the good things."
"Everyone wants to feel special. Loved. Included. Are you going to be the person to prevent that from happening? I know I am not, not ever, and I feel compelled to do everything I can in this lifetime to encourage others to be loving and supportive people. Not everyone is going to be like you, and how boring would it be if they were! Let love in and be love. Those are the words that I live by. What are the words that you choose to live by? Think about it."
[at the 2013 Naral Power of Choice Luncheon] "If you share your story,you might give somebody else the courage and clarity that they can't find elsewhere"
"She's a dreamer, with her head always up in the clouds. But she has a violent streak that she doesn't recognize because she grew up with it. People will not want to mess with me after this movie." - Dianna on her character in Malavita.
"Far away from home & seeing images from yesterday. It's hard to imagine why anyone would choose to spread pain over spreading love."
"Watching the love spout about back at home from across the pond. Love is love is love is love. It's wonderful."
[about Cory's death] I have never lost a friend. In this difficult time, I am leaning on all of the wonderful memories we shared with Cory, how many ways he was able to make us smile. Glee was a gift to all of us. It gave us a family in this industry. We really cut our teeth and grew up on this show. In playing underdogs, we learned that we had dug into the hearts of our viewers and that we could stay there. Cory is so deserving of that place in everyone’s hearts. He was one of the most generous and kind people that I have ever met. He had a smart, curious mind, he was an enormous talent. He was loving to not only me, but my family. My heart goes out to his family, to Lea, to everyone that is struggling with the loss of our friend. We will miss you Cory. We will always carry a piece of you with us.
"I think that as an artist, the more that you can do to diversify, and kind of challenge yourself, the more you grow."
"This place was picture-perfect: the way the haze lingered in the morning, the colors, the people, the food. It was all magnificent." - Dianna, Glamour
"Being true to yourself is one of the greatest attributes. Happiness ensues. Be present. Be kind. Be patient. Be honest. Find moments to be silly. The results will always be rewarding." - Dianna
“My style has really evolved, from my rebellious teenage years, to my butterfly clip phase, I’ve definitely made a few mistakes. Now, I’ve figured out what fits my body and what I really like.”
Growing up I wanted to be a mixture of Audrey Hepburn and Lucille Ball. Apparently I told my mum when I was eight that I wanted to be an actor.
"Glee, first of all, was one of the best experiences of my life and always will be"
"I am a SF-bred girl who would live my entire life down the rabbit hole in a world of nonsense, but due to the low probability of me ever finding that damn hole, I use my vivid imagination every day and refuse to ever truly grow up. Not all the way! That wouldn’t be fun! Why not embrace a life like Peter? I love what I do, I love to see a smile turn a smile turn a smile. Life is too short, too melancholy for some. I’d like to try to diffuse that as much as I can. I am only one, but together we are so much more."
