Every Glee actor who has died or said they won't return as Lea Michele confirmed to return for reboot

It's official - Glee will soon be back on our screens after Disney and Hulu confirmed the reboot this week.

The hugely popular high school musical show, which doesn't feature Troy or Gabriella, gained a cult following over its six seasons between 2009 and 2015.

However, while we might well remember the iconic covers, the questionable jokes, controversial moments and that Britney Spears episode, the show has been marred somewhat by the tragedies which have affected the cast.

We've also seen documentaries released since the show officially finished, including one which shared heartbreaking revelation surrounding tragic death of Cory Monteith.

But that won't stop the 'Gleeks' from being incredibly excited about the now-confirmed return, after Ryan Murphy first teased the news earlier this year.

Murphy told Entertainment Tonight that he had finished the script last month, stating that he had contacted 10 cast members about appearing in the reboot.

“It’s very sweet, and they all had a lot of questions, but they all were very enthusiastic about the idea,” he added.

One name who seemingly was an enthusiastic as her old character Rachel Berry, was Lea Michele, who has now reportedly been confirmed to be reprising her old role.

“She’s in,” one source told Variety. “It’s still early-ish days, but it feels good and we’re happy to get the band back together,” said another.

Two of her old classmates, Brittany Pierce and Sam Evans, portrayed by Heather Morris and Chord Overstreet, have also taken to Instagram to tease a potential return.

The beloved TV show has some scenes that undoubtedly have not aged particularly well, but it still has a rabid fanbase that would be excited for another potential instalment.

Sadly, however there are several Glee actors who won’t be appearing as one of the 10 actors likely to return. Between stars who have said they simply won’t appear in any reboot and those who have sadly died since the show ended in 2015, there are several characters you shouldn’t expect to appear.

Chris Colfer and Amber Riley, who play Kurt and Mercedes, have ruled out returning to the show

While The Inbetweeners shows that you should never say never, Chris Colfer and Amber Riley would be shocking inclusions in the Glee reboot cast.

Colfer, who appeared in 116 episodes as Kurt, said that a reboot ‘wasn’t for him’ in a 2019 interview with USA Today, adding: “Glee was an incredible, life-changing experience.

“I think the best thing to do here is quote Dolly Parton, ‘no amount of money can take from me the memories I have of then, but no amount of money can make me go back and do it all over again.’”

Amber Riley meanwhile said on the Monét Talks podcast in 2025 that she wouldn’t appear even if huge amounts of money were offered, explaining: “I just feel like what we did was so phenomenal, I don’t want to risk trying to reinvent the wheel.

"We lost cast members. I just feel like the chemistry, that formula, was so specific, and it's changed now, so I don't know if it would be as effective.”

Here is the full list of actors who have died since Glee stopped in 2015, with some major names having sadly passed away.

Cory Monteith

Cory Monteith had roles in Stargate Atlantis, Smallville and Supernatural throughout his illustrious career, however, he is best remembered for his role as Finn Hudson in Glee.

The actor had struggled with substance abuse since his teen years and was recovering from both heroin and alcohol addiction shortly before his shock death on 13 July, 2013.

He was sadly found dead in his hotel room in Vancouver after suffering an overdose, just a few months after he had checked himself into rehab.

Mark Salling

Actor Mark Salling played the role of Monteith's best mate and fellow football star, Noah 'Puck' Puckerman, on the beloved show.

The 35-year-old was arrested for possessing child pornography in 2015 and he later pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea deal.

While awaiting sentencing, Salling took his own life on 30 January, 2018. According to the BBC, he was expected to get between four and seven years in prison.

Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera, who starred as cheerleader Santana Lopez in Glee, tragically died on 8 July, 2020, with her cause of death being ruled as an 'accidental drowning'.

The actress, 33, disappeared under the surface in California's Lake Piru after the boat she had rented with her then-four-year-old son Josey began to drift away while they were swimming.

Heroically, Rivera used her last ounce of strength to get her child to safety, as an incident report into her death stated that she had drowned due to the exhaustion from pushing Josey back onto the boat.

Robin Trocki

The lovable Robin Trocki, who portrayed Sue's (Jane Lynch) older sister Jean Sylvester on Glee, passed away on 14 December, 2019, due to complications from Alzheimer's disease.

The award-winning actress, 63, was hailed for her performances in the first two series of the show.

Michael Lerner

Brooklyn-born actor Michael Lerner, 81, joined the Glee cast in season 4 as director and producer Sidney Greene.

Although he only appeared on our screens a handful of times, he still made a huge impact on fans, who were left heartbroken by his death on 8 April, 2023.

Lerner died due to complications from brain seizures at a hospital in Burbank, California.

Tim Conway

Tim Conway appeared in season five of the show as Marty Rogers, alongside Billy Dee Williams and June Squibb.

He passed away on 14 May, 2019, at the age of 85.

Conway died from normal pressure hydrocephalus, which occurs due to fluid buildup inside or around the brain, disrupting its function, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Olivia Newton-John

Grease legend Olivia Newton-John, 73, died on 8 August, 2022 from breast cancer, which she was first diagnosed with in 1992.

The actress regularly joined Glee as herself, poking fun at her 'good girl' image and obviously belting out some tracks along the way.

Her husband John Easterling said she died 'surrounded by family and friends' at her ranch in Southern California.

Meat Loaf

Michael Lee Aday, better known by his stage name Meat Loaf, starred as Barry Jeffries in season two of Glee.

The 74-year-old music legend had a great set of pipes on him, but his acting skills weren't too bad either, seeing him earn roles in the likes of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Fight Club and Wayne's World.

He passed away on 20 January, 2022. His cause of death was not released publicly.

Jean Sincere

Roxanne star Jean Sincere, 93, appeared in Glee as the 'Ancient Librarian' who was ready to shush students each time they went to burst into song.

Fans loved the actress for keeping up the running joke for so long, while she's also known for her roles in Frasier, iCarly and Malcolm in the Middle, as well as voicing Mrs Hogenson in The Incredibles.

Sincere passed away from natural causes on 3 April, 2013.

Barbara Tarbuck

American Horror Story actress Barbara Tarbuck, 74, briefly joined the Glee cast in season three as geometry teacher Nancy Bletheim.

She developed the neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease, which is a rare and fatal condition which causes brain damage that worsens rapidly over time, according to the NHS.

On 26 December, 2016, Tarbuck died due to complications from the condition at her Los Angeles home.

Jane Galloway Heitz

Jane Galloway Heitz was the original club director of the glee club in the pilot episode, but her scenes were later cut, so only serious Glee fans will recognise her.

At the age of 78, the actress - who has credits in shows such as Shameless, Monk and Grey's Anatomy - died due to heart failure.

Eagle-eyed viewers might have spotted that a photo of Heitz hung up inside the glee club trophy case, alongside a quote which reads: "By its very definition, glee is about opening yourself up to joy."

Phyllis Applegate

Better Call Saul alum Phyllis Applegate appeared in season four of Glee as Birdie Lawrence, a member of the Show Choir Rules Committee.

The star, 78, passed away on 13 January, 2023 after suffering from an unspecified illness, according to reports.

Other notable roles played by Applegate include appearances in Big Momma's House, Insidious: Chapter 3 and Black Dynamite (2009).

Tonita Castro

Tonita Castro, 63, began her on-screen career in 2005 and quickly earned a guest spot on Glee.

She portrayed Sue's housekeeper in season one, before going on to bag roles in Little Britain USA, The Sarah Silverman Program, The Travelers, Two and a Half Men, Kroll Show and Life in Pieces.

Castro sadly passed away from stomach cancer on 8 May, 2016.

Mike Hagerty

Although he is better known for his recurring role in Friends, Mike Hagerty also lent his acting talents to the Fox series too.

He played Pete Sosnowski, the associate director of the state's Department of Motor Vehicles, in season two, who judges the 2010 Western Ohio Sectionals Championship.

Tragically, the Chicago native died on 5 May, 2022 after suffering a seizure following an adverse reaction to antibiotics and slipping into a coma at the age of 67.

Roger Keller

Known as 'The Spanish Teacher' named 'Bill' for his Glee quick cameo, Roger Keller turned up in the toe-tapping series in season three.

Keller died on 10 January, 2017, after suffering from cancer.

Michael Mandell

Michael Mandell, 60, had a minor role in season two of Glee as 'Mo'.

But he also starred in movies such as I Love You Phillip Morris and New Year's Eve, as well as being recognised for his work on shows such as Person of Interest, The Electric Company and NYC 22.

He died on 26 July, 2020, although the circumstances around his passing aren't publicly known.

Patty Duke

Oscar winner Patty Duke, who memorably had a two-word speech at the 1963 Academy Awards, entered the world of Glee in season four as a jeweller named Jan.

But she's better known for playing Helen Keller in 1962's The Miracle Worker, a role she had begun on Broadway, as well as shows such as The Patty Duke Show.

On 29 March, 2016, she passed away from sepsis. Duke was 69.

Sonya Eddy

Glee's 'Angry Mom' Sonya Eddy came on our screens with a bang in season three when she hurled a brick at Principal Figgins.

The actress, 55, played a string of memorable characters throughout her career in productions such as General Hospital, Legit and Those Who Can't.

She died on 19 December, 2022, after she contracted an infection following surgery.

James Lipton

Entertainment icon James Lipton, best known as the host of Inside the Actors Studio, joined Glee in season three while playing himself.

Monteith's character Finn memorably auditioned for Lipton in the hopes of getting a spot in the Actors Studio.

The 90-year-old suffered from bladder cancer and ultimately passed away from the disease on 2 March, 2020.

Suzanne Krull

Actress Suzanne Krull suffered an aneurysm at the age of 47, resulting in her death on 27 July, 2013.

In Glee, she portrayed a wacky interviewer from Vogue magazine in season four.

Other notable roles include her stint as Lynn Karnoff in Lost and in Zoey 101 as Miss Burvitch.

Edmund Shaff

At the age of 88, Edmund Shaff passed away on 16 June, 2023.

As well as a host of small roles on shows including Modern Family, Desperate Housewives and Mad Men, Shaff also appeared in Glee.

He portrayed a singer who was part of a group called 'The Hipsters' in season two.