The 'Glee' Curse: A Look Back at Tragedies and Scandals Amid Revival News

The announcement of a "Glee" revival has brought renewed attention to the series' troubled past, often referred to as the "Glee curse." The show, which originally aired from 2009 to 2015, is slated for a return on Disney+ and Hulu, with co-creator Ryan Murphy reportedly having completed the script. Lea Michele is rumored to be reprising her role as Rachel Berry, with cast members Heather Morris and Chord Overstreet also hinting at their involvement.

Tragic Deaths Mar Show's Legacy

The most prominent events associated with the "Glee curse" are the deaths of two of its stars. In July 2013, Cory Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died at the age of 31 from an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol in a Vancouver hotel room. Monteith had been open about his struggles with addiction. His death was later incorporated into the show's fifth season with an emotional episode titled "The Quarterback." Monteith's passing significantly impacted his co-star and then-girlfriend Lea Michele, who later described it as having "fractured" her relationship with other cast members.

Further Loss and Legal Troubles

In March 2018, Mark Salling, who portrayed Noah “Puck” Puckerman, died by suicide at age 35. This followed his 2017 guilty plea to possession of child pornography. Salling had been arrested in 2015 after authorities found thousands of illicit images on his computer. The district attorney's office declined to charge Salling with rape in 2016 due to insufficient evidence after a woman accused him of the assault in 2012.

Naya Rivera, who played Santana Lopez, died in July 2020 at age 33. Her body was recovered days after she went missing while boating with her son at California's Lake Piru. Investigators believe she drowned after helping her son back onto their rented boat, succumbing to strong currents. Rivera had a history of legal issues, including a 2017 domestic battery arrest involving her ex-husband Ryan Dorsey, though the charges were later dropped.

On-Set Behavior and Personal Scandals

Beyond the tragic deaths, allegations of workplace misconduct have also surfaced. In 2020, Samantha Ware, who played Jane Hayward, accused Lea Michele of making her time on "Glee" a "living hell," citing instances of bullying and discriminatory remarks. Michele issued an apology, but Ware and other castmates, including Heather Morris and Amber Riley, suggested that Michele's behavior was indeed problematic. Dabier Snell, who had a guest spot on the show, also claimed Michele had him removed from a lunch table with other stars.

Matthew Morrison, who played Will Schuester, was dismissed as a judge from Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance" in May 2022. Reports indicated he was fired for allegedly sending inappropriate, flirty direct messages to a female contestant. Morrison defended himself, reading a message he sent to a dancer and lamenting the spread of gossip.

In November 2019, Melissa Benoist, who played Marley Rose, revealed she was a survivor of domestic violence. While she did not initially name her abuser, she had been married to "Glee" co-star Blake Jenner from 2015 to 2017. In October 2020, Jenner took responsibility for inflicting emotional, mental, and physical hurt during their relationship, though he also made counterclaims of abuse. In July 2022, Jenner was arrested for DUI.