'Glee' Cast: Where are they now?
'Glee' introduced the world to a remarkably talented ensemble of actors when it made its debut on Fox in 2009. This musical comedy-drama marked the third creation by Ryan Murphy, following his previous works, the teen drama 'Popular' and the dark medical drama 'Nip/Tuck'. Set within the backdrop of William McKinley High School, 'Glee's cast evolved over the show's six-season run. The the original lineup featured Lea Michele, Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Kevin McHale, Cory Monteith, Amber Riley, Mark Salling, and Jenna Ushkowitz as core club members. 'Glee' enjoyed a successful run from May 2009 to March 2015, spanning six seasons on Fox and earning acclaim with four Emmy Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. Let's take a look at their transformation journey through the years.
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
Lea Michele took the helm as the standout star of the 'Glee' ensemble, portraying the diva-in-training Rachel Berry. Her remarkable performance earned her an Emmy nomination in 2010. Subsequently, she secured a role in 'Scream Queens', the brainchild of 'Glee' creator Ryan Murphy. In 2017, Michele ventured into another small-screen project with ABC's 'The Mayor'. In her personal life, Michele was famously in a relationship with her 'Glee' co-star Cory Monteith until his tragic death in 2013. Afterward, she dated actor Matthew Paetz for two years before finding love with Robert Buckley, her co-star from 'Dimension 404'. Her romantic journey eventually led her to a relationship with Zandy Reich, the president of a clothing company. The couple announced their engagement in April 2018 and exchanged vows in March 2019, celebrating the birth of their first child in August 2020. Lea Michele made a significant return to Broadway in 2022 when she took on the lead role of Fanny Brice in 'Funny Girl'.
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
Jane Lynch, already an established Hollywood figure, saw her star rise further with 'Glee'. This led to her own series, 'Angel from Hell', and roles in 'Criminal Minds' and 'The Stinky and Dirty Show'. Post-'Glee', she hosted 'Hollywood Game Night', securing two Emmys, and graced 'The Marvelous Mrs Maisel', earning her another Emmy in 2019. Additionally, Lynch voiced Donna in HBO Max's 'Velma'. She also took the Broadway stage in 'Funny Girl', following co-star Michele, but departed the production in August 2022. In her personal life, Lynch married Dr Lara Embry in 2010, but they separated in 2013. In 2022, she revealed her discreet marriage to partner Jennifer Cheyne, which took place a year earlier.
Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
Matthew Morrison, known for his role as teacher Will Schuester, transitioned to roles in series like 'The Good Wife', 'Grey's Anatomy', and 'American Horror Story'. Revisiting his Broadway background after 'Glee', Morrison performed in the musical adaptation of 'Finding Neverland'. In April 2022, he served as a judge on 'So You Think You Can Dance', but was dismissed for sending uncomfortable text messages to a contestant. On the personal front, Morrison married his longtime partner, Renee Puente, in 2014. Their family grew with the arrival of son Revel in October 2017 and daughter Phoenix in 2021.
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
Jenna Ushkowitz, most recognized for her role as Tina Cohen-Chang, has had notable appearances in projects like 'Yellow Fever' (2017), 'Hello Again' (2017), and 'Rose All Day' (2022). In 2022, Ushkowitz, along with former co-star McHale, announced their new iHeartRadio podcast titled 'And That's What You Really Missed', where they reminisce about their experiences during the 'Glee' era. She tied the knot with David Stanley in 2021, and their first child arrived in June 2022. During her pregnancy, Ushkowitz participated in season 2 of 'RuPaul's Secret Celebrity Drag Race', a journey she embarked on discreetly, as she shared exclusively in a September 2022 interview with People.
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
Before 'Glee', Kevin McHale was part of the boy band NLT, honing his musical talents that would later shine as Artie Abrams. Post-'Glee', he ventured into hosting with the series 'Virtually Famous' and secured various gigs, including a role in the spin-off 'American Horror Stories'. Nevertheless, McHale has predominantly kept a lower profile since the show's conclusion. McHale has also explored a music career, unveiling his debut album, 'Boy', in 2019 and contributing to the writing of the children's TV musical, 'The AlphaBeatZ'. In 2018, McHale publicly came out as gay, confirming speculations after sharing a photo of him with actor Austin P McKenzie. Their relationship began in 2018, following their initial meeting in 2016 while working on the miniseries 'When We Rise'.
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
After her portrayal of the resolute yet compassionate cheerleader Santana Lopez on the popular Fox series, Naya Rivera continued her acting career, taking on roles in Lifetime's 'Devious Maids' and the YouTube original series 'Step Up: High Water'. However, it was perhaps her personal life that garnered more attention. This included a whirlwind romance, engagement, and subsequent breakup with rapper Big Sean, followed by a surprising wedding to Ryan Dorsey. In 2015, Rivera and Dorsey welcomed their son, Josey Hollis, and announced their plans for divorce shortly after. Despite this, they reconciled a few months later. On Thanksgiving weekend in 2017, Rivera was arrested in West Virginia on misdemeanor domestic battery charges after an alleged altercation with Dorsey during a walk with their son. On July 8, 2020, Rivera went missing at California's Lake Piru. A search began when the pontoon boat she had rented was found near the shore, with her then-4-year-old son, Josey, alone and asleep on board. On July 13, authorities confirmed her body was recovered from the water, and the incident was classified as a "tragic drowning accident," with no indications of suicide or foul play.
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
Chris Colfer's portrayal of Kurt Hummel in 'Glee' remains a standout in his acting career. Post-'Glee', he continued acting, with a notable appearance on the TV Land sitcom 'Hot in Cleveland'. However, his true passion lies in writing, where he authored five volumes of the 'Land of Stories' series catering to children and young adults. In October 2022, Colfer made headlines for his response when asked about supporting fellow 'Glee' alum Michele in 'Funny Girl' on Broadway, humorously stating, "My day suddenly just got so full" and playfully mentioning the possibility of being "triggered at home." In January 2023, Colfer marked a decade of his partnership with boyfriend Will Sherrod, expressing his love and gratitude on Instagram for a decade filled with laughter and adventures.
Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones
Amber Riley transitioned gracefully from her role as Mercedes Jones on 'Glee' to clinching the 'Dancing with the Stars' Mirrorball Trophy in season 17. She further showcased her talents on NBC's 'The Wiz' in 2015 and made her mark on the London stage in 'Dreamgirls' in 2016. In 2022, Riley starred in the Lifetime film 'Single Black Female', inspired by 1992's 'Single White Female'. She continued her winning streak in 2022 by emerging victorious in season 8 of 'The Masked Singer'. Additionally, Riley was featured in the docuseries 'The Black Beauty Effect', offering insights into the beauty industry from the perspective of Black women. Amid her many achievements, Riley also announced a cordial separation from then-fiance Desean Black in April 2022.
Mark Salling as Noah 'Puck' Puckerman
Mark Salling, renowned for his role as the rebellious "Puck" on Glee and his romantic involvement with co-star Rivera during the series' tenure, faced a dramatic shift in his life in 2015. He was arrested and later charged with the receipt and possession of child pornography. In October 2017, Salling pleaded guilty to these charges, potentially facing a prison sentence of four to seven years. Tragically, in January 2018, Salling was discovered deceased, an apparent victim of suicide, mere weeks before his scheduled sentencing. Prior to the child pornography possession case, Salling faced allegations of sexual battery in 2013 from then-girlfriend Roxanne Gorzela. This resulted in an out-of-court settlement in which the actor paid Gorzela a sum of $2.7 million.
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
After initially taking on smaller theater and television roles, Darren Criss catapulted to stardom upon joining the cast of 'Glee', where he won the hearts of fans as Blaine Anderson. After 'Glee', he graced Broadway stages in productions like 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' and 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'. Criss embarked on a solo tour, complemented by the release of his 2010 album, 'Human'. In 2018, he collaborated with Ryan Murphy on 'The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story', portraying Andrew Cunanan, a role that earned him accolades including a Golden Globe, Emmy, and SAG Award. Criss continued his partnership with Murphy in the 2020 Netflix drama 'Hollywood'. Criss and Mia Swier exchanged vows in New Orleans in February 2019 after an eight-year relationship, and their family expanded with the arrival of their daughter, Bluesy Belle, in April 2022. Additionally, Criss showed support for Michele's Broadway performance in October 2022, sharing a backstage photo with his 'Glee' co-star and wife.
