The Glee Cast Then And Now

Lea Michele (Rachel Berry) - THEN

Image source: Entertainment Weekly

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

Image Source: The Atlantic

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

Image source: People

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

Image source: The Mirror

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

Image source: E! Online

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

Image source: Variety

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

Image source: Forbes

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.