In Memory of Naya Rivera (1987-2020)

Naya Rivera
1987-2020
After a days-long search, actress and singer Naya Rivera was found dead today after being declared missing last week. Rivera's three-decade career spanned from 1991 until 2020, with her first screen appearance taking place alongside Redd Foxx and Della Reese on the Eddie Murphy-created sitcom The Royal Family. That show lasted a single season, and in subsequent years, Rivera appeared in guest roles on programs such as Family Matters, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Baywatch and The Bernie Mac Show, among many others. Her big break came in 2009 on the Ryan Murphy-created pop culture phenomenon Glee. The musical comedy-drama won Rivera a Screen Actors Guild Award alongside the rest of the cast. Glee ran for six years, with Rivera being a prominent part of the cast throughout its run. Her portrayal of the lesbian character Santana Lopez, and her character's journey with accepting her sexuality, was widely praised as a reason for an increase in acceptable of LGBTQ+ individuals, and Rivera was a champion for LGBT causes throughout her career. After Glee, Rivera appeared in guest roles on Devious Maids, RuPaul's Drag Race, The View, Lip Sync Battle and American Dad, before appearing in her final main role on the YouTube series Step Up. Rivera also releasing the single "Sorry" in 2013 in a collaboration with one-time fiancé Big Sean. News of Rivera's untimely and tragic death comes five days after she went missing on July 8 during a boating trip on Ventura County's Lake Piru with her son Josey. Searches for Rivera were ongoing since her disappearance, and efforts to find her were hindered by the conditions at Lake Piru.

You can see some of Rivera's performances from Glee below and share your condolences in the comments.





The TV Ratings Guide sends its condolences to the family of Naya Rivera at this tragic time. May she rest in everlasting peace.

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