The 2011 TIME 100

Chris has wanted to be an actor, as he says, "since I was an embryo," which gave him the determination to say, "Yes, I can," despite the many who had said no. Chris, 20, lives by extreme truth, speaking out against the epidemic of bullying that he, too, faced in high school. The honesty that he infuses into his Glee character, Kurt, leaves you reeling. Our cast is blessed to hear things like "Your character has helped me through this, or helped me do that," but none more so than Chris. To witness the power he gives to his audience firsthand? It's wonderful.

Agron plays Quinn Fabray on Glee