Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan have announced they are setting up a college fund for Naya Rivera’s four-year-old son Josey following the actress’ death at age 33.
Naya died at Lake Piru in what police have called an accidental drowning, and her young son whom she shares with ex husband Ryan Dorsey was found alone on the boat after the incident.
The three producers announced the creation of a college fund for the child as they reflected on all the fond memories they had of their ‘friend’, who played cheerleader Santana Lopez on the hit series for six years.
‘We are heartbroken over the loss of our friend Naya Rivera … Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was a big part of the Glee family and her son Josey. The three of us are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all.’
Paying tribute: Glee creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan have announced they are setting up a college fund for Naya Rivera’s four-year-old son Josey following the actress’ death at age 33
In the lengthy statement, the trio reflected on Naya’s work ethic, talent, and commitment to her job.
‘Naya wasn’t a series regular when we cast her on ‘Glee’. She didn’t have more than a few lines in the pilot. But it didn’t take more than an episode or two for us to realise that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with. Naya could act, she could dance, and she could sing (could she ever sing!) She could nail a joke as well as she could crush you with an emotional scene. She could move between being scary tough and deeply vulnerable with ease. She was a joy to write for, a joy to direct and a joy to be around … Naya was a real pro.
‘Always on time, always knew her lines (which wasn’t easy considering the giant mouthfuls of dialogue we often gave her), always kept everyone laughing on the set. She was warm and caring and fiercely protective of the rest of the cast. She was tough and demanding.
‘She was fun. She was kind. She was generous. There were ups and downs during the wonderful and stressful years we spent making Glee. We disagreed, we fought, we made up, then we fought some more, than we made up again. The kinds of things that happen in a family. Naya was more than just an actor on our show – she was our friend.’
Heartbreaking: Naya died following an accidental drowning at Lake Piru, and her young son whom she shares with ex husband Ryan Dorsey was found alone on the boat after the incident (pictured February 2019)
The tragedy reached a heartbreaking turn on Monday, after Naya’s body was finally recovered in the lake five days after she first went missing.
Naya vanished on Wednesday on Lake Piru after taking a pontoon boat out on the water with her four-year-old son Josey.
Josey was later found alone, sleeping on the boat, by another group who noticed it drifting.
An adult-sized life jacket was also found on the boat, and statements from Josey to police that Naya had disappeared under the water led them to conclude that she had drowned.
Paying tribute: In the lengthy statement, Ryan Murphy, Brad and Ian reflected on Naya’s work ethic, talent, and commitment to her job
On Monday, Ventura County Sheriff Bill Ayub announced that her body had been found floating in the lake by divers.
He speculated, based on the conditions and Josey’s statements, that she had helped the boy to get back on the boat but had run out of energy to save herself in the current.
‘It would be speculation to say at this point. There are a lot of currents on the lake that appear particularly in the afternoon,’ he explained.
‘We believe it was mid-afternoon when she disappeared, the idea perhaps being that the boat started drifting, it was unanchored, and that she mustered enough energy to get her son back onto the boat, but not enough to save herself.’
Smash success: Rivera played Santana Lopez on the hit series Glee for six years
Tributes have been pouring in for the late actress following her shocking death on social media.
Naya’s former Glee costars, Dianna Agron and Matthew Morrison, were among those remembering the actress online.
Dianna, who played Quinn Fabray, shared a photo of the women dressed as maids while touching nose-to-nose.
The actress remembered Naya being her ‘first friend and ally’ on the show, and reflected on their magical, spontaneous getaway to Paris.
‘She was my first friend and ally’: Dianna Agron, who played Quinn Fabray, shared a photo of the women dressed as maids while touching nose-to-nose.
‘Naya and I fell into stride with such ease, she was my first friend and ally on our show. In the pilot, our characters came and went with such swiftness. Our enthusiasm brimmed with all of the unknown. We tried to grasp what the other cast members must be feeling as we were working in such separate manners. We dared to dream. What if this show worked? Wouldn’t that be something? Something was brimming, it was palpable. And thank god it worked. Naya’s magnetic talent was going to be unleashed, we just didn’t know it yet.
‘I’ve been revisiting Naya’s performances on our show and it has brought me great joy. To work with her was a gift. There was a great deal to absorb – her work ethic, her fearlessness, her talent – supreme. Naya had a laugh that would envelop you and hold you captive. She was mesmerizing. That twinkle in her eye, her luminous smile. Naya lead with truth, humor, wit. I loved her for all of these reasons.
‘I loved her sense of curiosity and wanderlust. I was lucky enough to be her travel partner for some of my most favorite adventures. As I write this, I’m grinning with swelling memories of a spontenaous 36 hour excursion – one might even say diversion – to Paris. With Naya, everything was possible and would often simply unfold before us, almost magically.
‘On this particular jaunt, within ten minutes of checking into our hotel, we found ourselves strolling the halls of L’École des Beaux-Arts, sipping wine from paper cups with students showcasing their latest work. It was fantastic. We were united in our commitment to discovery. And there was always a list of cleverly curated ideas in Naya’s back pocket, should we need it.
Costars: Agron and Rivera pictured on an episode of Glee
‘I cannot make sense of this tremendous loss. I will hold onto her and these memories for the rest of time, alongside our Glee family. Please hold space for her, her family, her beautiful boy. In absolute, loving memory.’
Matthew also remembered Naya as a ‘powerful force’ whom he bonded with over their shared roles as parents.
‘Naya was a such a powerful force, in both her personal life and in her work. While so many of us were trying to find our voice, Naya’s was clear and resolute. When she spoke, you would embrace every last word. And when she sang, she would let you into her soul. Glee acted as only a snippet of her life that we all, thankfully, had the honor of witnessing.
‘But Naya would shine brightest when surrounded by her wonderful family. A common passion we both shared recently was that of our roles as parents. Naya was fervent about motherhood and had a steadfast love for Josey. It is that powerful love that ensures us that her story does not end here. I’m confident that her positive influence will be continuously felt, and that her beautiful spirit will carry on in the lives of so many.
‘I’m devastated by this immense loss. This week has been long and trying with much praying and hope. I find some solace in closure, but the pain I feel for her and her family cannot be measured. Rest in peace, keep shining down on us with your bright light.’
‘Keep shining down on us’: Matthew also remembered Naya as a ‘powerful force’ whom he bonded with over their shared roles as parents