Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera was an American actress, singer, and model best known for her role as Santana Lopez on the Fox musical comedy-drama series Glee. Her performance garnered critical acclaim and several award nominations, including a Screen Actors Guild Award and an NAACP Image Award. Rivera began her career as a child model and actress, appearing on shows like The Royal Family and The Bernie Mac Show, before achieving widespread fame. Her death in 2020 was ruled an accidental drowning.

Early life and education

Naya Marie Rivera was born on January 12, 1987, in Valencia, Santa Clarita, California. Her mother, Yolanda, was a model, and her father, George Rivera, worked in the entertainment industry. She was of African-American, German, and Puerto Rican descent. Rivera began her career as a child model at a young age, appearing in commercials for companies like Kmart and appearing in print ads. She attended Valencia High School and was involved in cheerleading and theater before pursuing acting full-time.

Career

Rivera's early acting credits include a recurring role on the CBS sitcom The Royal Family alongside Redd Foxx and Della Reese. She later made guest appearances on series such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Family Matters, Baywatch, and The Bernie Mac Show. Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she was cast as Santana Lopez on Glee, a role that evolved from a background character to a series regular. On the show, she performed numerous musical numbers and her portrayal of a LGBT teenager was widely praised for its depth and authenticity. During her time on Glee, she also released the single "Sorry" in 2013 and authored the New York Times bestselling memoir Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes, and Growing Up in 2016. Her later television work included a starring role in the FOX sitcom Step Up: High Water.

Personal life

Rivera was engaged to fellow actor Sean Patrick Thomas in the early 2000s. She later had a highly publicized relationship with her Glee co-star Mark Salling. In 2014, she married actor Ryan Dorsey; the couple had one son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, born in 2015. They divorced in 2018. Rivera was an advocate for LGBT rights and body positivity, often speaking publicly about these issues. She was also involved with charitable organizations, including The Trevor Project and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Death and legacy

On July 8, 2020, Rivera went missing during a boating trip with her son on Lake Piru in Ventura County, California. After a five-day search conducted by the Ventura County Sheriff's Department, her body was recovered from the lake on July 13. The Ventura County Medical Examiner's office ruled her death an accidental drowning. Her funeral was held at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills. In the wake of her death, tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry, including from her former Glee co-stars like Lea Michele, Chris Colfer, and Heather Morris. A memorial was established at Lake Piru, and her family helped create a fund in her name to provide swimming lessons for children.

Filmography and discography

Rivera's film appearances include The Master of Disguise (2002), At the Devil's Door (2014), and Mad Families (2017). Her extensive television work is highlighted by her role on Glee from 2009 to 2015, with additional credits on Devious Maids, American Dad!, and Step Up: High Water. As a recording artist, she released singles like "Sorry" and contributed to multiple Glee soundtrack albums, which achieved chart success on the Billboard 200. Several of her solo performances from the series also charted on the Billboard Hot 100.

Category:American television actresses Category:American film actresses Category:American singers Category:1987 births Category:2020 deaths