‘Glee’ creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan penned a touching tribute to actor Naya Rivera who was<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/glee-star-naya-rivera-dead-at-33-as-police-find-body-at-lake-where-she-went-missing-313117"> found dead at Like Piru</a> after she drowned saving her 4-year-old boy.&nbsp;

The 33-year-old actress had gone boating with her son. Her 4-year-old kid was found alone on the boat in the lake. The authorities ran an autopsy and ruled out foul play calling it a case of accidental drowning.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/naya-rivera-saved-her-son-before-drowning-in-lake-piru-authorities-313216" hreflang="en">Naya Rivera saved her son before drowning in Lake Piru: Authorities</a>

In an emotional tribute, the ‘Glee’ creators wrote how "heartbroken" they are over the loss of their "friend" Naya Rivera that they "lucked into finding."&nbsp;

They wrote, "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 realize that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with. 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."&nbsp;

"It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what 'Brittana' meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time. Naya always made sure that Santana's love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany's love affected them. Naya's obligation to them — and to all of her fans — was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-gives-a-powerful-speech-as-part-of-the-virtual-2020-girl-up-leadership-summit-313339" hreflang="en">Meghan Markle gives a powerful speech as part of the virtual 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit</a>

They described Rivera as "a real pro" who was "always on time, always knew her lines (which wasn't easy considering the giant mouthfuls of dialogue we often gave her)" and "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," they said of working with her.

They also acknowledged that "there were ups and downs during the wonderful and stressful years" 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. Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was a big part of the Glee family and her son Josey."

To honor Rivera's legacy, Murphy, Falchuk and Brennan announced that they "are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all."&nbsp;

After the confirmed news of her death came out, her co-stars shared special tributes for the actor. The ‘Glee’ co-stars even went to the lake where she was last seen and prayed together.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/glee-actors-bid-final-goodbye-to-co-star-naya-rivera-at-lake-where-she-was-last-seen-313134" hreflang="en">'Glee' actors bid final goodbye to co-star Naya Rivera at lake where she was last seen</a>

‘Glee’ creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan penned a touching tribute to actor Naya Rivera who was found dead at Like Piru after she drowned saving her 4-year-old boy.

‘Glee’ creators Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan penned a touching tribute to actor Naya Rivera who was found dead at Like Piru after she drowned saving her 4-year-old boy. The 33-year-old actress had gone boating with her son. Her 4-year-old kid was found alone on the boat in the lake. The authorities ran an autopsy and ruled out foul play calling it a case of accidental drowning. Naya Rivera saved her son before drowning in Lake Piru: Authorities In an emotional tribute, the ‘Glee’ creators wrote how "heartbroken" they are over the loss of their "friend" Naya Rivera that they "lucked into finding." They wrote, "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 realize that we had lucked into finding one of the most talented, special stars we would ever have the pleasure of working with. 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." "It was one of the first times an openly lesbian, high school relationship was seen on network television and Naya understood what 'Brittana' meant to the many young women who were seeing themselves represented on television for the first time. Naya always made sure that Santana's love for Brittany was expressed with dignity, strength and with pure intentions. Naya was always moved by the girls who reached out to her to tell her how much Santana and Brittany's love affected them. Naya's obligation to them — and to all of her fans — was obvious. She had the rare combination of humility and endless confidence in her talent." Meghan Markle gives a powerful speech as part of the virtual 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit They described Rivera as "a real pro" who was "always on time, always knew her lines (which wasn't easy considering the giant mouthfuls of dialogue we often gave her)" and "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," they said of working with her. They also acknowledged that "there were ups and downs during the wonderful and stressful years" 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. Our hearts go out to her family, especially her mom, Yolanda, who was a big part of the Glee family and her son Josey." To honor Rivera's legacy, Murphy, Falchuk and Brennan announced that they "are currently in the process of creating a college fund for the beautiful son Naya loved most of all." After the confirmed news of her death came out, her co-stars shared special tributes for the actor. The ‘Glee’ co-stars even went to the lake where she was last seen and prayed together. 'Glee' actors bid final goodbye to co-star Naya Rivera at lake where she was last seen

'Glee' creators pay tribute to Naya Rivera, to create college fund for her son

Naya Rivera's unfortunate death has left the world in shock. On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that the actress had died of accidental drowning in Lake Piru in California where she had gone for a swim with her four-year-old son. 
 
Best known for her role in 'Glee', Rivera's death has opened up the conversation around the unfortunate demise of some of the show's lead cast. Whether it can be termed as 'Glee Curse' or not is something that can be debated but the cast had seen tragic deaths earlier as well. 
 
Rivera's fellow 'Glee' cast members Cory Monteith and Mark Salling had untimely deaths.

Monteith was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver in 2013. He played the lead character Fin Hudson in the show. His death was later ruled accidental - a result of a drug overdose. 
 
The news of Monteith's death had left his co-actors, friends, family and fans stunned. 
 
Post his death, a tribute episode titled 'The Quarterback' saw the entire fictitious McKinley High School mourning the character's loss -- including Finn's love interest, Rachel Berry, played by Monteith's real-life girlfriend actress Lea Michele.

"I feel like, for me personally, I've lost two people: Cory and Finn," Michele had said in an interview later.&nbsp; "Everyone is asking, 'Is it hard to do this? Is it hard to be back at work?' But the truth is, it's no harder at work than it is in life -- so we might as well all be together as a family supporting each other to get through this together." 
 
Five years after Monteith's death, mark Salling died by suicide at the age of 35. The actor had once dated Rivera. Two years before his death he was indicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. 
 
He had pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and was scheduled for sentencing when he died. 
 
'Glee' vocal arranger Tim Davis had mourned his death and tweeted, "Today we lost another #Glee cast member," Davis wrote. "Yes, he committed crimes against children. Yes, it's horrific. But #MarkSalling was a broken man, no doubt an abuse victim himself. I loved Mark, and am sad when I consider the devastation of his parents. PLEASE withhold your cruel comments." 
 
Rivera's death has made the entire cast and crew of the show come together once again to mourn her loss. Reports state that they are planning to set up a college fund for her son.

&nbsp;

Naya Rivera's unfortunate death has left the world in shock. On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that the actress had died of accidental drowning in Lake Piru in California where she had gone for a swim with her four-year-old son.

Naya Rivera's unfortunate death has left the world in shock. On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that the actress had died of accidental drowning in Lake Piru in California where she had gone for a swim with her four-year-old son. Best known for her role in 'Glee', Rivera's death has opened up the conversation around the unfortunate demise of some of the show's lead cast. Whether it can be termed as 'Glee Curse' or not is something that can be debated but the cast had seen tragic deaths earlier as well. Rivera's fellow 'Glee' cast members Cory Monteith and Mark Salling had untimely deaths. Monteith was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver in 2013. He played the lead character Fin Hudson in the show. His death was later ruled accidental - a result of a drug overdose. The news of Monteith's death had left his co-actors, friends, family and fans stunned. Post his death, a tribute episode titled 'The Quarterback' saw the entire fictitious McKinley High School mourning the character's loss -- including Finn's love interest, Rachel Berry, played by Monteith's real-life girlfriend actress Lea Michele. "I feel like, for me personally, I've lost two people: Cory and Finn," Michele had said in an interview later. "Everyone is asking, 'Is it hard to do this? Is it hard to be back at work?' But the truth is, it's no harder at work than it is in life -- so we might as well all be together as a family supporting each other to get through this together." Five years after Monteith's death, mark Salling died by suicide at the age of 35. The actor had once dated Rivera. Two years before his death he was indicted on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. He had pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography involving a prepubescent minor and was scheduled for sentencing when he died. 'Glee' vocal arranger Tim Davis had mourned his death and tweeted, "Today we lost another #Glee cast member," Davis wrote. "Yes, he committed crimes against children. Yes, it's horrific. But #MarkSalling was a broken man, no doubt an abuse victim himself. I loved Mark, and am sad when I consider the devastation of his parents. PLEASE withhold your cruel comments." Rivera's death has made the entire cast and crew of the show come together once again to mourn her loss. Reports state that they are planning to set up a college fund for her son.

Before Naya Rivera, these 'Glee' cast members also had tragic deaths

‘Glee’ actress Naya Rivera’s death has left everyone shocked. The 33-year-old actor was found dead at Lake Piru as she drowned saving <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/naya-rivera-saved-her-son-before-drowning-in-lake-piru-authorities-313216">her 4-year-old son.&nbsp;</a>

Now, Naya’s parents have written a heartfelt tribute for her.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-Glee-creators-pay-tribute-to-Naya-Rivera-to-create-college-fund-for-her-son-313384" hreflang="en">'Glee' creators pay tribute to Naya Rivera, to create college fund for her son</a>

Check out the family statement here:

We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister.

Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support.

Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time.

Naya Rivera is survived by her parents, Yolanda and George Rivera; brother, Mychal Rivera; sister, Nickayla Rivera; and son Josey.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/glee-actors-bid-final-goodbye-to-co-star-naya-rivera-at-lake-where-she-was-last-seen-313134" hreflang="en">'Glee' actors bid final goodbye to co-star Naya Rivera at lake where she was last seen</a>

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/meghan-markle-gives-a-powerful-speech-as-part-of-the-virtual-2020-girl-up-leadership-summit-313339" hreflang="en">Meghan Markle gives a powerful speech as part of the virtual 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit</a>

‘Glee’ actress Naya Rivera’s death has left everyone shocked. The 33-year-old actor was found dead at Lake Piru as she drowned saving her 4-year-old son. Now, Naya’s parents have written a heartfelt tribute for her.

‘Glee’ actress Naya Rivera’s death has left everyone shocked. The 33-year-old actor was found dead at Lake Piru as she drowned saving her 4-year-old son. Now, Naya’s parents have written a heartfelt tribute for her. 'Glee' creators pay tribute to Naya Rivera, to create college fund for her son Check out the family statement here: We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers for Naya, Josey and our family over the past week. While we grieve the loss of our beautiful legend, we are blessed to honor her everlasting legacy and magnetic spirit. Naya was an amazing talent, but was an even greater person, mother, daughter and sister. Thank you to the men and women of the Ventura, Tulare, and San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Departments for your commitment and unwavering effort to find Naya. We extend endless gratitude and ovation to the heroine who found her. Thank you to her friends, colleagues, and fans for your continuous support. Heaven gained our sassy angel. We kindly request that our privacy be respected during this very difficult time. Naya Rivera is survived by her parents, Yolanda and George Rivera; brother, Mychal Rivera; sister, Nickayla Rivera; and son Josey. 'Glee' actors bid final goodbye to co-star Naya Rivera at lake where she was last seen Meghan Markle gives a powerful speech as part of the virtual 2020 Girl Up Leadership Summit

Naya Rivera's parents share a beautiful tribute for their daughter