Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera Headshot

Actress

Birth Date: January 12, 1987

Death Date: July 8, 2020

Birth Place: Valencia, California

Spouses: Ryan Dorsey

Partners: Tahj Mowry, Big Sean

With one exaggerated flip of her tightly wound ponytail, Naya Rivera captivated television viewers as self-assured and sassy cheerleader Santana Lopez on "Glee" (Fox, 2009-15), an award-winning musical comedy series about a group of teen misfits who deal with surviving high school while planning for various choir competitions. "Glee" launched the careers of its talented cast, including the California-born Rivera, whose devilish smirk, confident come-ons and star presence as Santana helped turn her supporting role into series regular status, and garnered the hardworking triple threat much-deserved praise from critics and viewers alike.

Naya Rivera was born on Jan. 12, 1987 in Santa Clarita, CA. The future star began modeling when she was a baby, appearing in print advertisements and commercials. The multitalented Rivera also took songwriting classes when she was 15 years old. She made her television acting debut opposite Della Reese and Redd Foxx on the CBS comedy "The Royal Family (1991-92), from creator Eddie Murphy. Even though the series was short-lived, Rivera quickly landed guest spots on wholesome, family-oriented sitcoms, including "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air" (NBC, 1990-96) and "Family Matters" (ABC, 1989-1998). Rivera made a leap to feature film acting in 2002, landing a supporting role in "The Master of Disguise."

The comedy starred "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ) alum Dana Carvey as a quirky and dim-witted waiter named Pistachio who has the ability to transform himself with the help of hundreds of disguises and voice impressions. Soon after, Rivera appeared in a recurring role opposite another comedy legend, Bernie Mac, on his long-running Fox series "The Bernie Mac Show" (2001-06). Rivera was reportedly hired for a single-episode appearance, but was brought back for more episodes throughout the series' run. In 2009, the California native's fortunes changed when she was cast as an Ohio cheerleader on Fox's big gamble, "Glee." Rivera played Santana Lopez, a cold-hearted and competitive member of the cheer squad, the Cheerios, who is sent by her coach Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) to spy on the school's fledgling glee club. Her character also finds a sidekick in Brittany (Heather Morris), a fellow Cheerio and her frequent make-out partner.

Santana also has her eyes on the school's football stars and glee club hunks Finn (Cory Monteith) and Puck (Mark Salling), although her physical advances solely serve her own interests. Rivera showcased her singing talent during one of the show's most acclaimed episodes, "The Power of Madonna" (2010), where she had featured vocals during covers of the singer's hits "Like a Virgin" (1984) and "Express Yourself" (1989). Such was the phenomenon of the musical comedy series, that Rivera shared a 2010 Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy with her fellow cast members, as well as staged a successful nationwide concert tour that featured the show's musical numbers and skits. Promoted from recurring character to full cast member for season 2, Rivera remained a key part of the ensemble for the rest of the show's run, and also appeared in the feature "Glee: The 3D Concert Movie" (2011).

Between seasons, Rivera appeared in the animated film "The Naughty List" (2013) and starred in the horror film "At the Devil's Door" (2014). After "Glee" came to an end in 2015, Rivera had a multi-episode guest arc on comedy-drama "Devious Maids" (Lifetime 2013-16) and co-starred in Fred Wolf's improvisational comedy "Mad Families" (2017) opposite Tiffany Haddish and Leah Remini. On July 8, 2020, Naya Rivera rented a pontoon boat on California's Lake Piru in Ventura County with her four-year-old son Josey. A search was initiated when the boat was not returned on time. The boat was located on the lake with Josey asleep on board wearing a life jacket, and an adult life jacket nearby.

After an intensive search of the lake, Rivera was declared missing and presumed drowned. Her body was recovered July 13, 2020.

Credits

Batman: The Long Halloween Deluxe Edition

Voice
Catwoman/Selina Kyle
Movie
2022

Katy Perry: Sweet Dreams

Actor
Show
2021

Pilotsendung - Naya Rivera - Faizon Love

Actor
Show
2021

Batman: The Long HalloweenStream

Voice
Catwoman/Selina Kyle
Movie
2021
100%

Batman: The Long Halloween, Part Two

Voice
Catwoman/Selina Kyle
Movie
2021

Sugar RushStream

Guest
Reality
2018

Step Up: High Water

Actor
Collette
Show
2018

TRL

Guest
Show
2017

Mad Families

Actor
Felipa
Movie
2017

Martha & Snoop's Potluck Dinner Party

Guest
Reality
2016

T.D. Jakes

Guest
Show
2016

Frozen in Time/The Naughty List

Actor
Show
2014

Hollywood Today Live

Guest
Show
2014

Double Feature: The Naughty List and Abominable Christmas

Actor
Show
2013

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

The Arsenio Hall Show

Guest
Show
2013

The Real

Guest
Talk
2013

Devious MaidsStream

Actor
Blanca
Series
2013

Home

Actor
Vera
Movie
2013

The Naughty List

Voice
Sparkle
Movie
2013

2CELLOS Feat. Naya Rivera: Supermassive Black Hole

Music Performer
Show
2012

Glee the Concert Movie

Actor
Santana
Movie
2011

The TalkStream

Guest
Talk
2010

Access Hollywood Live

Guest
Show
2010

The Dr. Oz Show

Guest
Talk
2009

GleeStream

Actor
Santana Lopez
Series
2009
70%

GleeStream

Guest Star
Santana Lopez
Series
2009
70%

RuPaul's Drag RaceStream

Guest
Series
2009

The Wendy Williams Show

Guest
Talk
2008

American DadStream

Guest Voice
Lolo Fuentes
Series
2005

The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson

Guest
Talk
2005

Jimmy Kimmel Live!Stream

Guest
Talk
2003

8 Simple RulesStream

Guest Star
Series
2002
58%

The Bernie Mac ShowStream

Guest Star
Series
2001

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Access Hollywood

Guest
News
1996

Live Shot

Guest Star
Show
1995

The Royal Family

Actor
Hillary Winston
Show
1991

The Fresh Prince of Bel-AirStream

Guest Star
Series
1990

BaywatchStream

Guest Star
Willa
Series
1989

News aboutNaya Rivera

'Friends,' 'Glee,' and 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine'

‘New Girl,’ ‘Ted Lasso’ & More of TV’s Most Memorable Friends-to-Lovers Romances

Glee's Heather Morris and Naya Rivera

‘Glee’s Heather Morris Remembers Naya Rivera on Late Star’s Birthday: ‘Missing You Everyday’

'The Price of Glee'

‘The Price of Glee’ Will Explore Fame & Tragedy of Hit Show — Watch Trailer (VIDEO)

Christina Milian in Step Up

‘Step Up’ Season 3 Trailer: Christina Milian Steps Into Late Naya Rivera’s Role (VIDEO)

Glee cast - Jenna Ushkowitz, Dianna Agron, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Mark Salling, C

‘Glee’ to Return to Streaming on Disney+ & Hulu This Summer

Naya Rivera Jessica Walter

Naya Rivera, Jessica Walter & More Snubbed in Too-Fast Oscars In Memoriam

Glee - Naya Rivera

See the Cast of ‘Glee’ Pay Tribute to Naya Rivera at the GLAAD Media Awards

Glee - Amber Riley, Matthew Morrison, Naya Rivera

‘Glee’ Cast to Reunite in Honor of Naya Rivera at the GLAAD Media Awards

Bebe Rexha at MTV EMA 2020

9 Big Stars, From Mary Lambert to Bebe Rexha, Rejected on ‘American Idol’

Naya Rivera Christina Milian

‘Step Up’: Christina Milian Joins Starz Series in Role Originated by Naya Rivera

Jimmy Kimmel Live Amber Riley

Amber Riley Pays Tribute to Naya Rivera in Special Televised Performance (VIDEO)

Naya Rivera appears as a guest judge on Sugar Rush

Naya Rivera’s Final TV Appearance in Netflix’s ‘Sugar Rush’ Is Now Streaming

Naya Rivera Glee Cast Tributes

‘Glee’ Cast & Creators Mourn Naya Rivera: Heather Morris, Grant Gustin & More Pay Tribute

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez on Glee

Remember Naya Rivera With 8 of Her Best Moments as Santana on ‘Glee’ (VIDEO)

Naya Rivera of Glee attends the LA premiere of 'Judy'

‘Glee’ Star Naya Rivera Confirmed Dead at 33 After Drowning Accident

Naya Rivera attends the Women's Guild Cedars-Sinai Annual Luncheon

Naya Rivera Missing at California Lake — ‘Glee’ Stars Share Prayers

Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan Tatum attend the premiere of Amazon's 'Comrade Detective'

Will We See Channing and Jenna Dewan Tatum in YouTube Red’s ‘Step Up’ Series?

Screen Shot 2017-08-31 at 2.44.03 PM

5 TV Musical Solos That’ll Knock You off Your Feet

Devious Maids - Naya Rivera and Dania Ramirez

Devious Maids Adds Naya Rivera in Tonight’s Season Premiere

TV Tattle

Naya Rivera Goes from Glee to Devious Maids