Glee’s growing tally of tragedies
Rivera’s death is the latest dark episode
Naya Rivera’s drowning while boating on Lake Piru outside Los Angeles is just the latest in a string of tragedies that have befallen Glee, the popular musical- comedy that ran from 2009 to 2015.
The 33- year- old star vanished July 8 after renting a pontoon boat with her fouryear- old son, Josey. He was later found alone and unharmed on the boat.
On July 9, a search- andrescue mission became a recovery operation, with police saying Rivera was presumed dead. Monday, her body was recovered near the surface of the water in an area where the boat had gone missing.
Fans on social media were quick to dismiss the idea that the show is “cursed,” but Rivera’s death follows other dark tragedies that have hit the show, which was co-created by Ryan Murphy.
In 2013, Calgary-born Cory Monteith, who played jock Finn Hudson, died of an accidental drug overdose in Vancouver. He was 31. Monteith, who had been open about his substance abuse problems, was dating Lea Michele, who has recently seen her career take a hit after accusations of racism and bullying by fellow Glee cast member Samantha Ware.
In 2014, Glee actress Becca Tobin was hit with tragedy when her boyfriend, Matt Bendik, died under mysterious circumstances at age 35.
In 2019, Supergirl star Melissa Benoit, who also appeared on Glee, revealed she had been a victim of domestic abuse.
Actor Mark Salling, who portrayed Noah ( Puck) Tuckerman, pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography in 2017. He was also accused of rape in 2016.
A month after his guilty plea in December 2017, Salling took his own life. He was 35.
In the wake of his death, one of his former friends told Us Weekly: “Mark knew he would have nothing to come back to after he went to prison. His acting career was beyond over.”
Rivera dated Salling from 2007 to 2010.
Adding to the mystery surrounding Rivera’s death is a social media post she made just six days before she vanished.
“No matter the year, circumstance, or strifes everyday you’re alive is a blessing,” she wrote beside a photo of herself. “Make the most of today and every day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised.”