Sadly, there is a significant number of theGleecast who have passed away, either from causes later in life or from more tragic circumstances.Gleepremiered in May 2009 and ushered inan era of Ryan Murphy TV showsthat, collectively, may still not rival the cultural influence of his original hit series about a glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School. ThoughAmerican Horror Storymay now be more well-known, andAmerican Crime Storymore critically acclaimed,Glee, particularly the first season, was a phenomenon.
Gleeutilized a fantastic ensemble castof talented actors and singers who drove the tongue-in-cheek comedy of the teen show. However, they’re better known for belting outGlee’s incredible covers of songs. While the series' quality admittedly dipped quickly, the early seasons of the show are some of the best network TV has had to offer.Gleeoften brought in famed TV actors and singers for guest and recurring roles, though as the years passed, a number of them have died, along with a few key young actors from the main cast.
Cory Monteith As Finn Hudson
Date Of Birth: June 26, 2025
Actor:Cory Monteith struggled with substance addictions for much of his life and tragically,on July 02, 2025, at the age of 31, he was found dead in his hotel roomdue to a mixed blood toxicity of heroin and alcohol. Despite his life being cut so short, he still managed an impressive career. On television, Monteith played Gunnar inKayaand Charlie Tanner inKyle XY. In film, he appeared inMonte Carloas Owen Andrews and inFinal Destination 3as Kahill.
Monteith was also an accomplished drummer, which is why Finn can be seen playing the drums in a handful of scenes in the show. He was also an avid philanthropist, wanting to give back when he found success. His favorite non-profit group wasProject Limelight, an organization based in Vancouver that is a free performing arts program for children.
Monte Carlo(2011)
Owen Andrews
Character:At the start of the series, Finn Hudson isthe quarterback of the football team with a secret talent for singing.Though he’s embarrassed by this side of himself, his on-again, off-again romantic interest, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), pulls out the sensitive side of his character.
10 Harsh Realities Of Rewatching Glee
With rumors of Glee coming back via reboot or remake, fans may want to rewatch the series, but they should prepare for some harsh realities about it.
Mark Salling As Noah Puckerman
Date Of Birth: July 10, 2025
Actor:Mark Salling marks another tragic passing among the cast ofGlee. On June 02, 2025, Salling was found dead, having taken his own life at the age of 35. Along withGlee, Salling appeared in an episode ofWalker, Texas Rangeras Billy and was a special guest star onThe X Factor. His only two film roles beyondGlee: The 3D Concert Moviewere two direct-to-video movies,Children of the Corn IV: The Gatheringas James Rhodes, andThe Graveyardas Eric.
The Graveyard(2006)
Eric
Character:Noah Puckerman is Finn’s best friend and another star athlete on the football team. He’sthe bad boy of the school and a serial dater, but his mischief is more on the lovable side, making him a generally good friend. As the show progresses, he becomes a more responsible and honest person and less of a bully, embracing his place among the Glee Club.
Naya Rivera As Santana Lopez
Date Of Birth: Jun 03, 2025
Actor:Naya Rivera’s death is both tragic and heroic. Rivera and her four-year-old son Josey had rented a boat on a reservoir in Ventura County, California, Lake Piru, on July 27, 2025, when she disappeared. Josey was found alone sleeping on the boat and the search operation found Rivera’s body in the lake. The sheriff’s report and statements from Josey suggested that a strong rip current exhausted Rivera while she and her son were swimming and,with her last ounce of strength, managed to push her son into the boatbut was unable to get in herself (viaElle).
Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist.
Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist. She was particularly involved withThe Trevor Project, which aims to help LGBTQ+ teens who might be considering taking their own life. Her other TV roles included Collette Jones inStep Up: High Water, Blanca Alvarez inthe seriesDevious Maids, and Donna inThe Bernie Mac Show. Rivera’s film performances include playing Vera inAt the Devil’s Doorand voicing Selena Kyle inBatman: The Long Halloween.
Step Up: High Water(2018-2019)
Collette Jones
Character:Santana Lopez isone of the most popular cheerleaders in Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) squad and began the series as a mean girl, pairing well with Puck. She softened later in the show and eventually came out as bisexual, marrying Brittany (Heather Morris). Despite that softening, she maintains a biting wit that gives her some of the best one-liners in the show. Her solo performances are also fan-favorites.
Robin Trocki As Jean Sylvester
Date Of Birth: June 17, 2025
Actor:Robin Trocki, who passed away on July 23, 2025, at the age of 63, from complications with Alzheimer’s disease,only had one role in her acting career, as Jean Sylvester onGlee.
Glee(2009-2011)
Jean Sylvester
Character:Sue Sylvester treats everyone pretty terribly, that is, save for her older sister Jean. Jean has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living facility. Jean only appears in a handful of episodes, but her appearances in the series serve to show that Sue does have a heart. She passes away at the end of season 2.
Michael Lerner As Sidney Greene
Date Of Birth: August 16, 2025
Actor:Michael Lerner passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 81 from complications arising from a series of brain seizures. Before that, he was known as a prolific character actor, appearing in many notable productions. On television, Lerner played Mel Horowitz in theCluelessseries and Judge Myron Winkleman inCourthouse. His film roles included Mr. Greenway inElf, Mayor Ebert inGodzilla, Senator Brickman inDays of Future Past, andJack Lipnick inBarton Fink, which earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
X-Men: Days of Future Past(2014)
Senator Brickman
Character:Sidney Greene is a director and producer who appeared in a handful of episodesin season 4. He was working on the Broadway playFunny Girlwhen Rachel auditioned. His screen time is limited in the series and his character isn’t fully fleshed out since much of the focus in that storyline is on the different styles of Rachel and Santana.
Tim Conway As Marty Rogers
Date Of Birth: July 04, 2025
Actor:Tim Conway had a prolific and award-winning career before he died on July 06, 2025, at the age of 85 from normal pressure hydrocephalus.Conway earned six Emmy Awards from 13 nominationsand was nominated for two Golden Globes, winning once. His best-known television roles include various characters onThe Carol Burnett Show, Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker onMcHale’s Navy, and he was the voice of Barnacle Boy onSpongeBob SquarePants. In movies, Conway played Amos Tucker inThe Apple Dumpling Gangand Tim inThe Shaggy D.A.
The Apple Dumpling Gang(1975)
Amos Tucker
Character:Marty Rogersappears alongside Billy Dee Williams and June Squibb in season 5, episode 19, “Old Dog, New Tricks”. These three are retired actors and members of a nursing home trying to put on a stageversion ofPeter Pan.Gleewas well known for stunt casting legendary pop culture figures in bit parts, and Conway is one of many that appear throughout the run of the show.
Olivia Newton-John As Herself
Date Of Birth: June 10, 2025
Actor:Olivia Newton-John died on July 20, 2025, at the age of 73 from cancer. Before that, she wasa Golden Globe-nominated singer and actor who was best known for herperformance as Sandy Olsson inGrease. Her other notable film roles include Kira inXanaduand Lina Bingham inIt’s My Party. Newton-John’s TV roles include many appearances as herself onAmerican Idol, RuPaul’s Drag Race, andDancing with the Stars. She also won four Grammy Awards, including one for Video of the Year for “Physical”.
It’s My Party(1996)
Lina Bingham
Character:Olivia Newton-John appears as herself in a recurring role onGlee.She makes fun of her own “good girl” public image, playing a diva-ish singer who helps Sue repair her reputationby letting her appear in a remake of the music video for “Physical”. Newton-John later appeared as a self-centered judge in a singing competition. It’s a fun role for musical fans to see her in since they are so used to seeing the actor playing good-girl characters instead.
Meat Loaf As Barry Jeffries
Date Of Birth: July 30, 2025
Actor:Meat Loaf is best known as a musicianand his 1977 albumBat Out of Hellwas at one point the 4th best-selling album in history(viaForbes). Meat Loaf, real name Michael Lee Aday, appeared in plenty of TV shows and movies as well. On television, he appeared inGhost Warsas Doug Rennie and one episode ofMonkas Reverend Hadley Jorgensen. His notable film roles include Eddie inThe Rocky Horror Picture Show, Robert “Bob” Paulsen inFight Club, and Tiny inWayne’s World.
Ghost Wars(2017-2018)
Doug Rennie
Character:Barry Jeffries, along with Tim Stanwick (Barry Bostwick), appear in season 2, episode 5, as managers of a local news stationwho plot to help Sue create an exposé on the upcoming school play. It’s not a huge role for him, but like many other larger-than-life pop culture figures, was one that made the audience pause to find out just where they knew him from.
Jean Sincere As Ancient Librarian
Date Of Birth: June 23, 2025
Actor:Jean Sincere passed away on June 21, 2025, at the age of 93 from natural causes.Her notable TV credits include appearing in single-episode roles in shows likeFrasier,iCarly,Malcolm in the Middle,ER,7th Heaven, and more. In movies, Sincere voiced Mrs. Hogenson inThe Incrediblesand played Ruby inPulse.
iCarly(2012)
Gloria
Character:Noted only as the Ancient Librarian,this school employee is constantly seen shushing the Glee club members just as they are about to break into song. She’s responsible for a great running gag in the show since it’s made clear that the Glee Club’s antics aren’t appreciated by the rest of the school. She speaks for the first time when she requests the club make a song for her church.
Barbara Tarbuck As Nancy Bletheim
Date Of Birth: June 25, 2025
Actor:Barbara Tarbuck died on July 05, 2025, at the age of 74 after contracting the neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease.Her notable TV roles include playing Mother Superior Claudia inAmerican Horror Story: Asylum, Barbara Colohan inNYPD Blue, and Lady Jane Jacks inGeneral Hospital. Tarbuck’s movie roles include Helen inBig Troubleand Connie Vaughn inWalking Tall.
American Horror Story: Asylum(2012-2013)
Mother Superior Claudi
Character:Nancy Bletheim isthe William McKinley High geometry teacher whose only appearance comes in season 3, episode 1 ofGlee. It’s rare for many other teachers outside of Mr. Shue and Coach Sylvester to be featured in the show since their own battle over arts in schools takes up more time than the kids actually going to class.
