The musical comedy-drama Glee captivated audiences for six seasons, launching the careers of many talented actors. From 2009 to 2015, viewers tuned in to follow the trials and tribulations of the McKinley High glee club, New Directions. But what happened to the stars after the show ended? Let’s catch up with the Glee cast and see where their paths have taken them.
Lea Michele as Rachel Berry
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Image alt text: Side-by-side photos of Lea Michele. On the left, as Rachel Berry in Glee, singing with passion. On the right, a glamorous publicity shot of Lea Michele in a black dress.
Lea Michele, who played the ambitious and driven Rachel Berry, was a central figure in Glee. Her portrayal of the aspiring Broadway star earned her an Emmy nomination in 2010. Following Glee, Michele continued to work with Ryan Murphy, appearing in Scream Queens. She also starred in ABC’s The Mayor in 2017.
Michele’s personal life has also been in the public eye. Her relationship with Glee co-star Cory Monteith was widely followed until his tragic passing in 2013. She later dated Matthew Paetz and Robert Buckley before finding love with Zandy Reich. They married in 2019 and welcomed their son in 2020.
In 2020, controversy arose when former Glee cast member Samantha Ware accused Michele of on-set bullying. Michele issued an apology for her behavior. Despite this, Michele’s career continued to flourish. In 2022, she achieved a long-held dream by taking on the lead role of Fanny Brice in Broadway’s Funny Girl, receiving critical acclaim.
Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester
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Image alt text: Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester in Glee, wearing a red tracksuit and a menacing expression, embodying her character’s stern personality.
Jane Lynch was already a successful actress before Glee, but her role as the acid-tongued cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester catapulted her to even greater fame. Glee opened doors for Lynch to host Hollywood Game Night, a role that earned her two Emmy Awards. She also received another Emmy in 2019 for her appearance in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Lynch has also lent her voice to animation, playing Donna in the HBO Max series Velma.
Like Michele, Lynch also graced the Broadway stage in Funny Girl, though she departed the production prior to Michele’s arrival. Lynch’s personal life includes a marriage to Dr. Lara Embry, which ended in divorce in 2013. In 2022, she announced her marriage to Jennifer Cheyne.
Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester
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Image alt text: Matthew Morrison portraying Will Schuester in Glee, dressed as a teacher with a friendly and encouraging smile, reflecting his character’s optimism.
Matthew Morrison played the enthusiastic glee club director Will Schuester. A Broadway veteran, Morrison transitioned to television roles after Glee, appearing in The Good Wife, Grey’s Anatomy, and American Horror Story. He returned to Broadway in Finding Neverland after his Glee success.
In 2022, Morrison briefly served as a judge on So You Think You Can Dance but was dismissed due to inappropriate text messages sent to a contestant. On a personal front, Morrison married Renee Puente in 2014. They are parents to son Revel, born in 2017, and daughter Phoenix, born in 2021.
Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel
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Image alt text: Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel from Glee, posing stylishly, capturing his character’s sophisticated and unique personality.
Chris Colfer’s portrayal of Kurt Hummel, a fashionable and openly gay student, remains his most iconic role. While Colfer continued acting after Glee, including a role in Hot in Cleveland, he found significant success as an author. He is the author of the Land of Stories series for young adults, which has become a bestseller.
Colfer made headlines in 2022 with his public comments about Lea Michele’s Funny Girl casting, indicating he had no plans to see her in the show. In his personal life, Colfer celebrated a decade-long relationship with Will Sherrod in January 2023.
Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams
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Image alt text: Kevin McHale embodying Artie Abrams in Glee, in his wheelchair, showcasing the character’s musical talent and resilience.
Before Glee, Kevin McHale was part of the boy band NLT. His musical background was perfect for his role as Artie Abrams, a wheelchair-using student with incredible singing talent. Post-Glee, McHale hosted Virtually Famous and appeared in American Horror Stories. He has largely remained out of the spotlight, focusing on other projects.
McHale has also pursued his music career, releasing his album Boy in 2019 and contributing to The AlphaBeatZ. In 2018, McHale publicly came out as gay and has been in a relationship with Austin P. McKenzie since 2018.
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
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Image alt text: Two portraits of Naya Rivera. The left image is from her time on Glee as Santana Lopez. The right image is a more recent photo of Naya Rivera, showcasing her evolving style.
Naya Rivera’s portrayal of Santana Lopez, a sharp-tongued cheerleader who later embraces her lesbian identity, was a fan favorite. After Glee, Rivera continued to act in Devious Maids and Step Up: High Water.
Rivera’s personal life was often in the headlines, including her engagement and breakup with Big Sean, and her marriage to Ryan Dorsey. Rivera and Dorsey had a son, Josey Hollis, in 2015. Tragically, in July 2020, Rivera went missing and died in a drowning accident at Lake Piru, California. Her untimely death was a profound loss to the Glee family and her fans worldwide.
Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang
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Image alt text: Two images of Jenna Ushkowitz. The first shows her as Tina Cohen-Chang in Glee with blue streaks in her hair. The second is a more recent photo of Jenna Ushkowitz with gold streaks in her hair, wearing an elegant dress.
Jenna Ushkowitz played Tina Cohen-Chang, a shy student who eventually finds her voice. While Glee remains one of her most prominent roles, Ushkowitz has also appeared in Yellow Fever, Hello Again, and Rosé All Day.
In 2022, Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale launched a Glee recap podcast, And That’s What You Really Missed. Ushkowitz married David Stanley in 2021 and welcomed their first child in 2022. She also participated in RuPaul’s Secret Celebrity Drag Race while pregnant.
Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones
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Image alt text: Amber Riley in two photos. The left photo is Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones in Glee, singing powerfully. The right photo is a more recent publicity shot of Amber Riley, showcasing her confident and stylish persona.
Amber Riley, portraying the powerhouse vocalist Mercedes Jones on Glee, has continued to shine in the entertainment world. After Glee, Riley showcased her dance skills and won season 17 of Dancing with the Stars. She also starred in The Wiz Live! and the London production of Dreamgirls. Riley starred in the Lifetime film Single Black Female in 2022.
Riley’s talent extends beyond acting; she won season 8 of The Masked Singer in 2022, demonstrating her vocal prowess. She was also featured in The Black Beauty Effect docuseries. In her personal life, Riley announced her separation from Desean Black in 2022. Fans remember Amber Riley’s portrayal of Mercedes Jones as a symbol of strength and vocal talent within the Glee cast.
Mark Salling as Noah “Puck” Puckerman
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Image alt text: Mark Salling as Noah “Puck” Puckerman from Glee, striking a rebellious pose, reflecting his character’s bad-boy image.
Mark Salling, who played Noah “Puck” Puckerman, the Glee club’s resident bad boy, faced serious legal troubles after the show. In 2015, he was arrested and charged with possession of child pornography. Salling pleaded guilty in 2017 and was sentenced to prison.
Tragically, in January 2018, Mark Salling died by suicide before his sentencing. Earlier, in 2013, Salling had been accused of sexual battery and settled out of court. His life and career ended in a dark and unfortunate manner.
Heather Morris as Brittany S. Pierce
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Image alt text: Heather Morris in character as Brittany S. Pierce in Glee, known for her dancing and comedic timing. She is wearing her Cheerios uniform.
Heather Morris, who played the lovable and often-airheaded Brittany S. Pierce, was a professional dancer before Glee. She had even toured with Beyoncé. Morris’s dance background made her a natural fit for Dancing with the Stars in 2017. While her time on DWTS was controversial due to her prior dance experience, she returned to reality competition and won season 2 of The Masked Dancer in 2022.
Morris was close friends with Naya Rivera and has publicly shared her grieving process and honored Rivera on social media. She married Taylor Hubbell in 2015, and they have two children, Elijah and Owen.
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
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Image alt text: Two photos of Cory Monteith. On the left, as Finn Hudson in Glee, wearing a letterman jacket. On the right, Cory Monteith in a suit, showcasing his charming smile.
Cory Monteith starred as Finn Hudson, the kind-hearted quarterback and lead male vocalist of New Directions. Monteith’s on-screen and off-screen relationship with Lea Michele was highly publicized. Sadly, Cory Monteith passed away in July 2013 at the age of 31 due to substance abuse issues.
His death was a devastating loss for the Glee cast and fans. Two films he completed before his death, All the Wrong Reasons and McCanick, were released posthumously in 2013.
Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson
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Image alt text: Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson from Glee, dressed in a stylish blazer, capturing his character’s polished and charismatic persona.
Darren Criss joined Glee in its second season as Blaine Anderson and quickly became a fan favorite. After Glee, Criss returned to Broadway in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying and Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He also launched a solo music career.
Criss reunited with Ryan Murphy for The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story, earning Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Awards for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan. He and Mia Swier married in 2019 and welcomed their daughter Bluesy Belle in 2022. Criss also publicly supported Lea Michele’s Funny Girl role, attending the show and posing for photos backstage with her.
Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray
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Image alt text: Dianna Agron portraying Quinn Fabray in Glee, in her Cheerios uniform, symbolizing her initial role as the popular head cheerleader.
Dianna Agron played Quinn Fabray, the head cheerleader who experiences significant personal growth throughout Glee. After Glee, Agron appeared in films like The Family, Shiva Baby, As They Made Us, and Acidman. She also directed and starred in Berlin, I Love You. Agron has had a singing residency at the Café Carlyle in New York City.
Agron married Winston Marshall of Mumford & Sons in 2016, but they reportedly separated in 2020.
Jonathan Groff as Jesse St. James
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Image alt text: Two images of Jonathan Groff. The left image shows him as Jesse St. James in Glee, wearing a tuxedo. The right image is a more casual shot of Jonathan Groff in a burgundy sweater.
Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele’s close friend in real life, played Jesse St. James, Rachel Berry’s initial rival and love interest on Glee. Although only a guest star, Groff made a memorable impact. He continued his TV career with roles in Looking and Mindhunter. Groff is also known for voicing Kristoff in the Frozen franchise and appearing in The Matrix Resurrections.
Before Glee, Groff was a Broadway star in Spring Awakening and Hair. After Glee, he originated the role of King George III in Hamilton. Groff remains active in theater and film, starring in the 2023 thriller Knock at the Cabin.
The cast of Glee left a lasting impact on popular culture. While their paths have diverged since McKinley High, their contributions to television and entertainment continue to be celebrated by fans worldwide.
