Naya Rivera was an actress best known for her role as Santana Lopez in the hit musical TV series “Glee.”
- Died: July 8, 2020 (Who else died on July 8?)
- Details of death: Died by drowning in Fillmore, California at the age of 33. Ventura County Sheriff’s Department confirmed her death at a press conference on July 13. Her body was disovered seven years to the day her “Glee” co-star Cory Monteith died from a drug overdose.
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A lifetime on television
Rivera was featured in commercials for Kmart when she was a baby, and her first television role came when she was just 4 years old, appearing in the short-lived sitcom “The Royal Family.” She had small roles in popular series including “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,” “Family Matters,” and “Baywatch,” and she had a recurring role on “The Bernie Mac Show.” In 2009, Rivera landed the role that would make her famous, playing the mean-girl cheerleader Santana Lopez on “Glee.” She became a series regular in the second season, with solo performances and opportunities for her character to grow, including her coming out story as a lesbian. After “Glee,” Rivera starred in the YouTube Red series “Step Up: High Water.” Rivera had a brief music career that included the 2013 Top 40 track “Sorry,” featuring Big Sean.
Rivera reminiscing about “Glee”
“I’m so blessed to have been a part of such an amazing show. I’ve made lifelong friends, grew in my craft, and made some of the most beautiful memories because of Glee.” —from a 2019 Instagram post
What they said about her
Full Obituary: E! Online
