The Glee Cast Then And Now

Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) - THEN

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Rachel Berry, leader of the Glee club with big dreams, was a little self absorbed at times and her personality didn't always go down too well by the other members of The New Directions.  One thing you can't deny - the girl had talent and an amazing singing voice.

Lea Michele -NOW

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Lea Michele released a book in 2014, "Brunette Ambition" and the same year did her first studio album "Louder."  Three years later she brought out her second album "Places" and then another in 2021 called "Forever."  More recently she took on the Broadway role of Fanny Brice in "Funny Girl."

 Matthew Morrison (Will Schuester) - THEN

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The Spanish teacher, Mr Schuester, at William McKinley High School was responsible for reviving the school's glee club to way above its former glory.  He also became a surrogate father figure to the students while he was dealing with his own relationship drama on the side.  This included his ex wife, Terry, faking a pregnancy.

Matthew Morrison - NOW

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Matt released his own studio albums in 2011 and 2013 and also starred in films such as "What To Expect When You're Expecting." He married in 2014 to actress Renee Puente and they have two kids.  Matt starred as the Grinch in Dr Seuss's "The Grinch Musical and more recently, he was in a 2022 short film called "Brutal."

Chris Colfer (Kurt Hummel) - THEN

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Kurt Hummel was the breakout character from the show from its premiere. The fashionable gay student is shown to be routinely bullied for his sexuality. At the time, he was one of the only LGBTQ characters on network television. Chris won a Golden Globe for the role and landed a spot on the "Time 100."

Chris Colfer - NOW

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Although he's written many books since his time on Glee, Chris is probably best known for his young adult series "Land of Stories."  In 2017, he announced he would be working on and directing a film adaption of the series. Chris has been with his partner, Will Sherrod, for over 10 years.

Cory Monteith (Finn Hudson) - THEN

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Finn was the quarterback of the football team and "The Man" at William McKinley. He started the show as half of the Finn-Quinn power couple. He developed feelings for Rachel, after his girlfriend cheated on him and got pregnant. Finn and Rachel were eventually the most talked about couple.

Cory Monteith - NOW

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Canadian actor Cory Monteith joined Glee after some minor tv and film roles.  He had struggled with addiction since first trying dr*gs at the age of 13. After an intervention by the Glee cast members, he checked himself into rehab in 2013 but sadly passed away in 2013 from an accidental overdose at the age of 31.

Jane Lynch (Sue Sylvester) - THEN

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Every show needs a villain and we all loved to hate Sue Sylvester. She loved to antagonise the Glee club but does have moments when she's not all bad, but there are few who you love to hate as much as Sue Sylvester! She did vote for The New Directions to win the Regionals in Season One.

Jane Lynch - NOW

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Jane has continued working and winning awards. The actress hosted six seasons of the game show "Hollywood Game Night" and won two Emmys for Outstanding Host For a Reality or Reality-Competition Program).  She memorably starred as comedian Sophie Lennon in "The Marvellous Mrs Maisel), winning yet another Emmy for that performance.

Amber Riley (Mercedes Jones) - THEN

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Mercedes Jones proved herself as a force to be reckoned with, to say the least!  In Season One, she scores a solo against Rachel at Sectionals. Half way through the show, she formed The Troubletones, along with Santana and Brittany. They were the rival group to the New Directions.

Amber Riley - NOW

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After Glee wrapped, Amber was back starring in NBC's live-action version of "The Wiz Live!" She then took her talents overseas, starring as Effie White in "Dreamgirls" in the West End In London. Amber was in a Lifetime movie called "Single Black Female" in 2022.

Naya Rivera (Santana Lopez) - THEN

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Santana Lopez started as a sidekick to cheerleader Quinn Fabray and a spy for Sue but becomes much more complex when she starts to develop feelings for her best friend, Brittany.  She struggles with her sexual identity for a few seasons but by the end of the series, Santana is out and proud, married to Brittany.

Naya Rivera - NOW

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Six months after Glee ended, Naya gave birth to her son Josey. She then wrote a book "Sorry Not Sorry: Dreams, Mistakes and Growing Up."  Naya returned in 2018 to the screen with a role in the YouTube Red series "Step Up: High Water" about a performing arts school in Atlanta. She tragically passed away in 2020 by accidental drowning.

Dianna Agron (Quinn Fabray) - THEN

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Quinn Fabray balances being head cheerleader, member of The New Directions and impending motherhood while balancing her relationships with Finn, Puck and Sam (as well as a one-night stand with Santana). She graduates at the end of Season three and when she wants to return her Cheerios uniform, Sue Sylvester tells her to keep it.

Dianna Agron - NOW

 

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Dianna Agron starred in the film adaptation of the young adult series "I Am Number Four" in 2011 and was in Sam Smith's music video  "I'm Not the Only One."  She returned to singing with a residency at Cafe Carlyle in New York City in 2019, performing songs from the 1960s and 1970s. Dianna is in production for a new television series "The Chosen One."

Mark Salling (Noah Puckerman) - THEN

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Noah Puckerman (Puck)  throws his fair share of slushies and students into the dumpster! When he initially joins The New Directions to get closer to Quinn when she reveals she's pregnant with his child, he realizes that he enjoys singing. After Finn's death, Puck joins the Air Force in his honor.

Mark Salling - NOW

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Glee remains the role for which Mark Salling is the most well known. A couple of years after the series ended, Mark was arrested on suspicion of possessing child p*rnography,  He was charged and pleaded guilty but a month before sentencing, he sadly took his own life.

Kevin McHale (Artie Abrams) - THEN

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Loveable Artie Abrams didn't let being in a wheelchair stop him from pursuing his dreams, including being part of the McKinley High football team. After graduating he moved to New York to study at the Brooklyn Film Academy but he still finds the time to help Brittany and Santana plan their wedding in Season six.

Kevin McHale - NOW

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Kevin continued to work in TV and movies including hosting the British comedy panel show "Virtually Famous."  He

also released a debut album "Boy" in 2019.  Kevin currently hosts a podcast with his former co star, Jenna Ushkowitz and they talk about old episodes of Glee.

Jenna Ushkowitz (Tina Cohen-Chang) - THEN

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Tina Cohen-Chang starts out in The New Directions as very shy but being in the club helps her with her confidence issues. When a group of McKinley students head off to New York after their graduation, Tina has other ideas and decides to enrol at Brown University.

Jenna Ushkowitz - NOW

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Jenna was in the Hollywood Bowl production of "Hair" in 2014 and appeared on Broadway in 2016 in "Waitress." She even scooped a Tony for producing the revival of "Once On This Island."  She married David Stanley in 2021 and they welcomed their first child in 2022.

Heather Morris (Brittany S Pierce) - THEN

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Brittany S. Pierce used to come out with the best one liners, such as, "My cat's been reading my diary."  Despite sometimes giving the impression of being ditzy, she receives early admission to MIT.  When the university changes her very being, a visit back to Ohio and an emotional duet with Santana fixes things.

Heather Morris - NOW

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Heather continued to focus on her dancing after the series finished. She was a celebrity contestant on Season 24 of  "Dancing With The Stars" which caused a bit of drama as she was already a professional dancer. Heather got booted out on the sixth week but thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Harry Shum Jr. (Mike Chang) - THEN

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Brittany secured the title of Best Dancer on the girls' side, but it was a bit uncomfortable for the boys. Mike Chang took the honor but he hadn't even mentioned to his parents that he loved to dance. Things work out for Mike and he enrols at Joffrey Ballet Academy of Dance after he graduated.

Harry Shum - NOW

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Harry continues to act and dance. He landed a lead role on Freeform's "Shadowhunters."  He played Charlie Wu in "Crazy Rich Asians." Most recently he starred in "Everything Everywhere All At Once" and "Grey's Anatomy." He has been with his wife, Shelby Rabara, since 2007.

Darren Criss (Blaine Anderson) - THEN

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Blaine Anderson was a member of The Dalton Academy Warblers but eventually transfers to McKinley High. That's convenient as it's where his future boyfriend (and husband) Kurt, goes to school. After graduation, he moved to New York City to attend NYADA with Kurt and Rachel.

Darren Criss - NOW

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In 2018 Darren Criss teamed up with Ryan Murphy again for "American Crime Story's second season which focused on the death of Gianni Versace.  This role earned him an Emmy and also a Golden Globe. These days, he is still performing live on tour and had his first daughter with his wife Mia Swier in 2022.

Chord Overstreet (Sam Evans) - THEN

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After joining the group Sam Evans becomes the new heartthrob of The New Directions, He uses that star power to start a modeling career in New York but when things don't go as planned, he returns to McKinley to become the assistant coach of the football team.  He later becomes the director of The New Directions.

Chord Overstreet - NOW

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Chord left the show to pursue a music career. He has released a few singles since 2016 and his first EP in 2017 called "Tree House Tapes." He has continued acting with parts in "The Bold Type" in 2020 and "Acapulco" in 2021.  He also played Jake Russell in the 2022 Christmas classic "Falling  For Christmas" with Lindsay Lohan.

Jayma Mays (Emma Pillsbury) - THEN

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Emma Pillsbury was one of the originals from the series, and is the guidance counsellor at Glee's high school who appears to be struggling with her own things: OCD, and a fear of germs! She's also one half of the whole 'will they won't they' storyline with our favorite teacher, Mr Shu.

Jayma Mays - NOW

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Since starring in Glee - and that famous Rocky Horror solo performance! - she's continued with her successful acting career, and also her happy family life with husband Adam Campbell, who she met on the set of Epic Movie. Most recently, she's starred in Disenchanted.

Iqbal Theba (Principal Figgins) - THEN

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We didn't see much of Principal Figgins compared to some of the big players in the main cast, but when we did see him, it was hilarious. Usually trying to keep the peace between Sue Sylvester and Mr Shu, he lost out on being principal for a while when Sue took over, but he soon returned!

Iqbal Theba - NOW

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While his role as Principal Figgins is one of his best known ones, he's had a successful career around that, and most recently appeared on The Glee Project after his role in the show. He's also done work on TV shows like NCIS and Hell's Kitchen. He's a busy family man, too, married with kids!

Lauren Potter (Becky Jackson) - THEN

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Becky Jackson was a recurring character on the show who was a student of McKinley high but also had a 'job' as Sue's secretary (meaning tending to Sue's every unfair whim!). Although Sue did have a soft spot for Becky after all. She also ended up having a relationship with Darrell.

Lauren Potter - NOW

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33-year-old actress Lauren Potter is also known for her work as a comedian and an advocate for disabilities. She was appointed by then-President Barack Obama as the President of the Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities. In the acting world, she's also recently starred in Guest Room.

Becca Tobin (Kitty Wilde) - THEN

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Kitty Wilde appeared in the fourth season of Glee, in 'The New Rachel', as a cheerleader and student at McKinley High. She's portrayed as a bully - of course, the cliché of the cool cheerleaders bullying the Glee kids! - but then she of course goes on to join the Glee club anyway!

Becca Tobin - NOW

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37 year old actress Becca Tobin has had a busy time in real life! She got married (with Sue Sylvester actress actually officiating the wedding!) and had a son via surrogacy. Since Glee, she's also starred in Mystery Girls, Drop Dead Diva and NCIS while being busy with family life.

Jessalyn Gilsig (Terri Schuester) - THEN

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Terri Schuester was a character we loved to hate - or just hated entirely. Which goes to show how good her actress was! She was originally the wife of Mr Shu but it all went downhill after she lied about being pregnant and wore one of those fake pregnancy bumps. Oops.

Jessalyn Gilsig - NOW

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The Canadian actress has had a great career in terms of popular TV shows, including Vikings and Nip/Tuck as well as her role on Glee. She also starred in Scandal and the Disney+ show, Big Shot. She has a daughter with her ex husband, who she divorced in 2010, and she became an American citizen in 2013.

Jonathan Groff (Jesse St James) - THEN

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We love to see the other glee clubs from different high schools, especially when they were rebel boys like Jesse St James! He was the male lead singer of McKinley's rivals, Vocal Adrenaline. He was originally sent to McKinley as a spy but ended up dating Rachel and becoming a member of their glee club for a time.

Jonathan Groff - NOW

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We all recognize Jonathan Groff's voice as Kristoff from Frozen, and his stage performances like in Hamilton, of course! The huge star is continuing his success on Broadway with his acting and singing talents, as well as most recently dating a New Zealand choreographer who he split up with in 2020.

Idina Menzel (Shelby Corcoran) - THEN

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Shelby Corcoran was the coach of Vocal Adrenaline, the rival group to New Directions, and the reason Jesse was sent to McKinley as a spy. We first see her being stubborn competition, but then it's later revealed that she's actually Rachel's biological mom.

Idina Menzel - NOW

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We know Idina Menzel has always been a huge singing and acting star, before and after Glee! And we have her to thank for Let It Go and Defying Gravity iconic performances. These days, Idina is still going strong with her musical career, and she's happily married to actor Aaron Lohr.

Christine Chenoweth (April Rhodes) - THEN

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April Rhodes was such a fun recurring character on Glee with a great singing voice! She originally went to high school with Will Schuester when they were both young. She originally wanted to star on Broadway but her dreams were originally dashed, and she was called in to help the glee club.

Christine Chenoweth - NOW

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Christine is an award-winning Broadway star in real life, which her character would be proud of, and these days she's still touring and paying concerts. She also got engaged in 2021 to guitarist Josh Bryant from Backroad Anthem (after dating many men in Hollywood!)

Gwyneth Paltrow (Holly Holliday) - THEN

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Holly Holliday was Gwyneth's first role on TV, and Holly - memorable for her perky name - appeared as a recurring character who was a substitute teacher for the glee club at McKinley when Mr Shu is off sick. She also strikes up a romance with Mr Shu, but breaks it off when she realizes he's still in love with Emma.

Gwyneth Paltrow - NOW

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Gwyneth is of course best known for her roles in a huge amount of movies and already had a huge career before her recurring role in Glee. Most recently, she's starred in the Marvel movies as Pepper Potts, including End Game, and also been involved in a recent court case after a skier sued her for a collision incident.

Dot-Marie Jones (Sheldon Beiste) - THEN

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Beiste's character has gone through a lot on the show - we first meet the coach as a woman who is struggling to find her femininity, while in later seasons she reveals her identity as a transgender man and goes through a transition to become Sheldon Beiste.

Dot-Marie Jones - NOW

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Dorothy Marie Jones is a successful actress, and also a retired athlete which fit into her role as Beiste very well! She originally didn't have any intention of being an actor, but was noticed during a bodybuilding competition and went on to have TV show roles like in Desperate Housewives and Nip/Tuck as well as Glee.