Unfortunately, there is a significant number of these Happiness Figures who died, either from reasons later in life or from more tragic circumstances. Happiness Premiered in May 2009 and ushered in an era of Ryan Murphy TV shows that, collectively, still can’t rival the cultural influence of his original hit series about a glee club at the fictional William McKinley High School. Although American Horror Story may now be better known, and American Crime Story More critically acclaimed, HappinessThe first season in particular was a phenomenon.
Happiness Employed a fantastic ensemble cast of talented actors and singers who drove the tongue-in-cheek comedy of the teen show. However, they are better known for belting out HappinessS incredible covers of songs. Although the quality of the series is admitted quickly, the early seasons of the show are some of the best network television has to offer. Happiness Often brought in famous TV actors and singers for guest and recurring roles, although as the years passed, a number of them died, along with a few key young actors from the main cast.
Actor |
Character |
---|---|
Cory Monteith |
Finn Hudson |
Mark Salling |
Noah Puckerman |
New Rivera |
Santa Lopez |
Robin Truckee |
Jean Sylvester |
Michael Lerner |
Sydney Green |
Tim Conway |
Marty Rogers |
Olivia Newton-John |
himself |
Meatloaf |
Barry Jeffries |
Jean sincerely |
Old librarian |
Barbara Tarbuck |
Nancy Bletheim |
Jane Galloway Heitz |
Lillian Adler |
Phyllis Applegate |
Birdie Lawrence |
Tonita Locastro |
Imelda |
Mike Hagerty |
Pete Sosnowski |
Michael Mandel |
Mo |
Roger Keller |
Bill |
Patty Duke |
Jan |
Sonya Eddy |
angry mom |
James Lipton |
himself |
Susan Krull |
Eccentric Vogue Woman |
Edmund Sheep |
Hipster male |
Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson
Date of birth: 11 May 1982
actor: Cory Monteith has struggled with substance addictions for much of his life and tragically, On July 13, 2013, at the age of 31, he was found dead in his hotel room. Due to a mixed blood toxicity of heroin and alcohol. Despite his life being cut so short, he still managed an impressive career. On TV, Monteith played Gunnar in Kaya and Charlie Tanner in Kyle XY. In the film, he appeared in Monte Carlo Like Owen Andrews and in Final destination 3 Like Cahill.
Monteith was also an accomplished drummer, which is why you can see Finn playing the drums in a handful of scenes in the show. He was also a greedy philanthropist who wanted to give back when he found success. His favorite non-profit group was Project LimelightAn organization based in Vancouver that is a free performing arts program for children.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Final destination 3 (2006) |
Cahill |
Kaya (2007) |
Gunnar |
Monte Carlo (2011) |
Owen Andrew |
character: At the beginning of the series, Finn Hudson is The quarterback of the football team with a secret talent for singing. Although he is embarrassed by this side of himself, his romantic interest, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), brings out the sensitive side of his character.
Related
Mark Salling as Noah Puckerman
Date of birth: August 17, 1982
actor: Mark Saling marks another tragic passing among the cast of Happiness. On January 30, 2018, Salling was found dead after taking his own life at the age of 35. HappinessSalling appeared in an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger As Billy and was a special guest star on The X Factor. His only two film roles followed Glee: The 3D Concert Movie were two direct-to-video movies, Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering Like James Rhodes, and The graveyard Like Eric.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996) |
James Rhodes |
Walker, Texas Ranger (1999) |
Billy |
The graveyard (2006) |
Eric |
character: Noah Puckerman is Finn’s best friend and another star athlete on the football team. He is The bad boy of the school and a serial daterBut his injury is more on the kind side, making him a generally good friend. As the show progresses, he becomes a more responsible and honest person and less of a bully, embracing his place among the glee club.
Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez
Date of birth: January 12, 1987
actor: Naya Rivera’s death is tragic and heroic. Rivera and her four-year-old son Josey were renting a boat on a reservoir in Ventura County, California, Lake Piru, on July 8, 2020, when she disappeared. Josey was found alone sleeping on the boat and the search operation found Rivera’s body in the lake. The sheriff’s report and Josie’s statements suggested that a strong rip current exhausted Rivera while she and her son were swimming and, With her last ounce of strength, she managed to get her son into the boat But can’t get into himself (through Everyone).
Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist.
Rivera was a champion of LGBTQ+ rights and was an active philanthropist. She was especially involved with The Trevor Projectwhich aims to help LGBTQ+ teens who may be considering taking their own lives. Her other television roles included Collette Jones Step up: high waterBlanca Alvarez in the series Shallow servicesAnd Donna in The Bernie Mac Show. Rivera’s film performances include playing Vera in At the devil’s door and release Selena Kyle Batman: The Long Halloween.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
The Bernie Mac Show (2002-2006) |
Dana |
At the devil’s door (2014) |
Vera |
Step up: high water (2018-2019) |
Collette Jones |
character: Santana Lopez is One of the most popular cheerleaders in Sue Sylvester’s (Jane Lynch) squad and began the series as a bad girlPairing well with pack. She softened later in the show and eventually came out as bisexual, marrying Brittany (Heather Morris). Despite the softening, she maintains a biting wit that gives her some of the show’s best one-liners. Her solo performances are also favorites.
Robin Trotsky as Jean Sylvester
Date of birth: June 30, 1956
actor: Robin Trocki, who died on December 14, 2019, at the age of 63, from complications with Alzheimer’s disease, Only one role in her acting career, as Jean Sylvester on Happiness.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Happiness (2009-2011) |
Jean Sylvester |
character: Sue Sylvester treats everyone pretty terribly, that is, except for her older sister Jean. Jean has Down syndrome and lives in an assisted living facility. Jean is only in a handful of episodes, but her appearances throughout the series serve to show that Sue has a heart. She leaves at the end of season 2.
Michael Lerner as Sidney Green
Date of birth: June 22, 1941
actor: Michael Lerner passed away on April 8, 2023, at the age of 81, from complications caused by a series of brain seizures. Before that, he was known as a prolific character actor, appearing in many notable productions. On TV, Lerner played Mel Horowitz in the Clueless series and judge Myron Winkleman in Courthouse. His film roles included Mr. Greenway in elevenMayor Ebert in GodzillaSenator Brickman in Days of Future PastAnd Jack Lipnick in Barton Finkwhich earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Barton Fink (1991) |
Jack Lipnick |
Clueless (1996-1997) |
ML Horwitz |
X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) |
Senator Brickman |
character: Sidney Green is a director and producer who has appeared in a handful of episodes In season 4. He was working on the Broadway play Funny girl When Rachel auditioned. His screen time is limited in the series and his character is not fully fleshed out as much of the focus in the storyline is on the different styles of Rachel and Santana.
Tim Conway as Marty Rogers
Date of birth: December 15, 1933
actor: Tim Conway had a prolific and award-winning career before he died on May 14, 2019, at the age of 85 from normal pressure hydrocephalus. Conway earned six Emmy Awards from 13 nominations And was nominated for two Golden Globes, winning once. His best known television roles include various characters on The Carol Burnett ShowEnsign Charles Beaumont Parker on McHale’s NavyAnd he was the voice of Barnacle Boy on Spongebob Squarepants. In movies, Conway played Amos Tucker in The apple dumpling trend and Tim in The shaggy here
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
McHale’s Navy (1962-1966) |
Ensign Charles Beaumont Parker |
The Carol Burnett Show (1967-1978) |
Various |
The apple dumpling trend (1975) |
Amos Tucker |
character: Marty Rogers Appears alongside Billy Dee Williams and June Squibb in Season 5, Episode 19, “Old Dog, New Tricks”. The three are retired actors and members of a nursing home trying to put on a stage version of Peter Pan. Happiness has been known for stunt casting legendary pop culture figures in bit parts, and Conway is one of many who appear during the show.
Olivia Newton-John as herself
Date of birth: September 26, 1948
actor: Olivia Newton-John died on August 8, 2022, at the age of 73 from cancer. Before that she was A Golden Globe-nominated singer and actor who was best known for her performance as Sandy Olson in Lubricate. Her other notable film roles include Kira In Xanadu and Lina Bingham in It’s my party. Newton-John’s television roles include numerous appearances as himself on American Idol,RuPaul’s Drag RaceAnd Dancing with the stars. She also won four Grammy Awards, including one for Video of the Year for “Physical”.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Lubricate (1978) |
Sandy Olson |
Xanadu (1980) |
Kira |
It’s my party (1996) |
Lina Bingham |
character: Olivia Newton-John stars as herself in a recurring role on Happiness. She pokes fun at her own “good girl” public image, playing a diva-ish singer who helps Sue repair her reputation By having her appear in a remake of the music video for “Physical”. Newton-John later appeared as a self-centered judge in a singing competition. It’s a fun role for musical fans to see her in since they’re so used to seeing the actor playing good girl characters instead.
Meatloaf like Barry Jeffries
Date of birth: September 27, 1947
Actor: Meat Loaf is best known as a musician and his 1977 album Bat out of hell Was at one point the 4th best-selling album in history (via Forbes). Meat Loaf, real name Michael Lee Aday, has also appeared in many television shows and movies. He appeared on television Game Ghost Wars Like Doug Rennie and one episode of Monk Like Reverend Hadley Jorgensen. His notable film roles include Eddie In The Rocky Horror Picture ShowRobert “Bob” Paulsen in Action ClubAnd tiny in Wayne’s world.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) |
Eddy |
Action Club (1999) |
Bob Paulsen |
Game Ghost Wars (2017-2018) |
Doug Rennie |
character: Barry Jeffries, along with Tim Stanwick (Barry Bostwick), appear in season 2, episode 5, as managers of a local news station Who plots to help Sue do an exhibition about the upcoming school play. It’s not a huge role for him, but like many other pop-culture figures, it made the audience pause to find out exactly where they knew him.
Jean candid as old librarian
Date of birth: August 16, 1919
actor: Jean Sincere died on April 3, 2013, at the age of 93 of natural causes. Her notable television credits include appearing in one-episode roles in shows like Fraser, iCarly, Malcolm in the middle, He, 7th heavenAnd more. In the movies, Ms. Hogenson voices in earnest The Incredibles And played Ruby in Pulse.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Pulse (1988) |
Rubin |
The Incredibles (2004) |
Mrs. Hogenson |
iCarly (2012) |
Gloria |
character: Noted only as the ancient librarian, The school employee is constantly seen shooing the glee club members just as they are about to break into song. She is responsible for a great running gag in the show since it is clear that the glee club’s antics are not appreciated by the rest of the school. She speaks for the first time when she asks the club to make a song for her church.
Barbara Tarbuck as Nancy Blatheim
Date of birth: January 15, 1942
actor: Barbara Tarbuck died on December 26, 2016, at the age of 74 after contracting the neurodegenerative Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Her notable television roles include playing Mother Superior Claudia in American Horror Story: AsylumBarbara Colohan in NYPD Blueand Lady Jane Jacks in General Hospital. Tarbuck’s movie roles include Helen In Big trouble and Connie Vaughn in Go high.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
General Hospital (1996-2010) |
Lady Jane Jacques |
Go high (2004) |
Connie Vaughn |
American Horror Story: Asylum (2012-2013) |
Mother Superior Claudie |
character: Nancy Bletheim is The William McKinley High geometry teacher whose only appearance comes in season 3Episode 1 of Happiness. It’s rare for many other teachers outside of Mr. Shu and Coach Sylvester to be featured on the show since their own battle over art in schools takes up more time than the kids actually going to class.
Jane Galloway Heitz as Lillian Adler
Date of birth: September 18, 1941
actor: Jane Galloway Heitz died on November 13, 2019, at the age of 78, due to heart failure. for the time being She often has small roles in shows like Shame like claire Monk Like essay, and Gray’s Anatomy Like Annie’s mom. Heitz’s film roles include Nurse Irma Beck in I know who killed me And Audrey in Madison.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Madison (2001) |
Audrey |
I know who killed me (2007) |
Nurse Irma Beck |
Monk (2007) |
Essie |
character: Only Lillian Adler Appeared in the pilot of HappinessAs the original glee club director. Not all fans will realize that though since Her scenes were cut and are now only available in the director’s cut. But her photograph hangs in the trophy case of the Glick Club with the quote “According to his definition, happiness is about opening up to joy.“This makes Jane Galloway Heitz a bigger presence on the show than she might have thought since Mr. Shu often looks to her image for inspiration.
Phyllis Applegate as Birdie Lawrence
Date of birth: May 8, 1930
actor: Phyllis Applegate, who died on January 13, 2023, at the age of 92, appeared in many television shows and movies, generally in small roles. On TV, she played Myrtle in Better call SaulIda Pearl in Any day nowAnd Darnell’s grandmother in My name is Os Earl. Applegate’s movie credits include Grace In Insidious: Chapter 3 And Aunt Billie in Black dynamite.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Black dynamite (2009) |
Aunt Billie |
Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015) |
grace |
Better call Saul (2017) |
Myrtle |
character: Birdie Lawrence appeared in Happiness Season 4, Episode 3, Vol A member of the Show Choir Rules Committee. Characters who appeared in sequences of judging competitions or confirming competitions often only appeared in the show once. Those actors were “day players” for the show, able to come in and do a day’s work and make a lasting impression on an episode.
Tonita Castro as Imelda
Date of birth: January 15, 1953
actor: Tonita Castro died on May 8, 2016 at the age of 63 after a battle with stomach cancer. Castro’s television credits include Edna In DadsPunch in Go onand Consuela in Crawl show. Her film roles include Elsa in Looking for a friend before the end of the worldAunt Rosita in Our family weddingand Bonita in Strange people.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Our family wedding (2010) |
Aunt Rosita |
Go on (2012-2013) |
Fist |
Dads (2013-2014) |
Edna |
character: In Season 1, Episode 21, Imelda Appears briefly as Sue’s household. With not much of Sue’s home life shown outside of her relationship with her sister and her desire to have a child in later seasons, it is unknown if Sue keeps her household staff around the series.
Mike Hagerty as Pete Sosnowski
Date of birth: May 10, 1954
actor: Mike Hagerty died on May 5, 2022, at the age of 67, after suffering a seizure and slipping into a coma. Hagerty’s notable television roles include Frank McNamara on The George Carlin ShowMr. Trigger on FriendsAnd Mike on Happy Levi. His film credits include Davey In Wayne’s world And a peanut seller in Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shook Me.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Wayne’s world (1992) |
Davey |
The George Carlin Show (1994-1995) |
Frank McNamara |
Happy Levi (2006-2007) |
Mike |
character: Pete Sosnowski is the associate director of the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles and Presides over the 2010 Western Ohio Sectional Championship, eventually revealing that New Directions and the Warblers Tide. He appeared in season 2, episode 9.
Michael Mandel as Mo
Date of birth: June 11, 1959
actor: Michael Mandel died on July 26, 2020, at the age of 60. Previously, he starred in television shows such as Person of interest like coach The Electric Company Like Mr. Abercrombie, and NYC 22 Like Alton Fancy. His movie roles include Cleavon In I love you Philip Morris And Murray in New Year’s Eve. He also notable Performed twice in the stage production of eleven As the Macy’s Store Manager.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
The Electric Company (2009) |
Mr. Abercrombie |
I love you Philip Morris (2009) |
Klavon |
NYC 22 (2012) |
Alton Fancy |
character: Mo Appears briefly in Season 2, Episode 22, “New York”.
Roger Keller as Bill
Date of birth: November 19, 1949
actor: Roger Keller died on January 10, 2017, of cancer at the age of 67. He had only appeared in a handful of television roles until that point. Keller played Reverend Forke in Murphy BrownAnd Unnamed characters in points like Fraser, Good luckAnd Wings.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Good luck (1987) |
Shopkeeper |
Fraser (1994-1997) |
Cough man/waiter |
Murphy Brown (1998) |
Reverend Forke |
character: Bill is A minor character who appeared briefly in season 3, episode 12, “The Spanish Teacher”.
Patty Duke as January
Date of birth: December 14, 1946
actor: Patty Duke, who died on March 29, 2016 at age 69 of sepsis, Earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing Helen Keller in The miracle worker. She was also nominated for four Golden Globes in her career, winning twice, and she earned 10 Emmy nominations and won three times. Duke’s other notable film roles include Nellie O’Hara in Valley of the Dolls and Natalie Miller in I, Natalie. Her television credits include Patty Lane on The Patty Duke Show and Bernadette Hennessey Armagh in Captain and the Kings.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
The miracle worker (1962) |
Helen Keller |
The Patty Duke Show (1963-1966) |
Patty Lane |
I, Natalie (1969) |
Natalie Miller |
character: Jan is A jeweler in season 4, episode 22, who helps Blaine Anderson (Darren Criss) pick out a ring for Kurt Hummel (Chris Colfer). Jan and her friend Liz (Meredith Baxter) have dinner with the young people and encourage them to take the leap, explaining how views of queerness have changed since they were young. Jan then adds to Liz, inspiring Blaine to do the same.
Sonya Eddy as Angry Mom
Date of birth: June 17, 1967
actor: Sonya Eddy died on December 19, 2022, at the age of 55 after non-emergency surgery led to an infection. She appeared in dozens of TV shows and movies before then. On TV, she was Best known for performances in General Hospital Like Epiphany Johnson, Legit Like Ramona, and Those who can’t Like Tommy. Eddie’s notable film roles include Deborah In V/H/S/99 and Hannah in The incredible Burt Wonderstone.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
General Hospital (2006-2022) |
Epiphany Johnson |
Legit (2013-2014) |
Ramona |
V/H/S/99 (2022) |
Debra |
character: The Angry Mom played by Sonya Eddy appeared in season 3, episode 4, III She throws a brick at Principal Figgins (Iqbal Theba)..
James Lipton as himself
Date of birth: September 19, 1926
actor: James Lipton was an actor, writer, and Talk show host best known for hosting Inside the Actors StudioThat earned him 18 Emmy nominations and one win. He was only in small roles. On TV, he played the Warden Stefan Gentles in Arrested developmentDr. Richard Rahl in SuburgatoryAnd let’s go The Goldbergs. His film credits include Captivated Like yourself and Bolt Like the director’s voice. Lipton died on March 2, 2020, at the age of 90 from bladder cancer.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Inside the Actors Studio (1994-2018) |
himself |
Arrested development (2004-2019) |
Garden Stephen Gentles |
Suburgatory (2012) |
Dr. Richard Rahl |
character: James Lipton Appears as in Happiness Season 3, Episode 22. As Finn graduated from high school, he auditioned for Lipton to get a spot at the Actors Studio.
Susan Krul as Eccentric Vogue Woman
Date of birth: July 8, 1966
actor: Susan Krull died on July 27, 2013, at the age of 47, after suffering an aneurysm. Krull is best known for playing Lynn Karnoff on Lost and Miss Burwich in Zoey 101. Her movie roles included performances in Race to Witch Mountain Like Gail Ross and Rudderless Like Bertie Dupree.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Zoey 101 (2005-2008) |
Miss Burwich |
Lost (2007-2010) |
Lynn Karnoff |
Rudderless (2014) |
Bertie Dufrey |
character: Season 4, Episode 3 sees Susan Krul as An eccentric interviewer for Vogue Fashion magazine.
Edmund Schaff as Hipster Male
Date of birth: May 19, 1935
actor: Edmund Schaaf died on June 16, 2023 at the age of 88. Small roles on shows like Modern family Like Victor, Desperate housewives Like Walter, and Crazy people Like Chester Rockingham. His film roles include parts in Herbie fully loaded Like thin and Put it away Like Mr. Zachary.
Notable Movie and TV Roles:
Title |
Role |
---|---|
Put it away (1996) |
Mr. Zachary |
Herbie fully loaded (2005) |
Thin |
Modern family (2015) |
Victor |
character: In Season 2, Episode 9, of Happiness New directions compete against another group called the hipsters. Despite their name, they are not a Brooklyn music group. Instead, they are A team of older, but surprisingly singers, one of them is Bill.
Glee honored the death of Cory Monteith in a touching episode
Monteith was honored in season 5, episode 3 “The Quarterback”
…Monday we should not remember how he died, but for how much joy he brought into the lives of others.
Cory Monteith died while the cast was filming season 5 of Happiness. Filming was stopped and the cast and crew were given time off while a new episode was drafted to honor him. It was named “The Quarterback” in honor of his character, Finn Hudson, whose character died off-screen between episodes 2 and 3 of the season.
The episode was an emotional one for the cast and the fans of the show as it revolved around the characters grieving the loss of Finn, but in reality, it was the loss of Monteith. Chris Colfer’s Kurt provides the voiceover announcing Finn’s death, and the character refuses to tell the audience the manner of death so that the episode can be about honoring Finn’s life instead. It was a fitting way to remind the audience that Monteith should not be remembered for how he died, but for how much joy he brought to the lives of others.
The episode brought many members of New Directions back together to attend a memorial service for Finn. Lea Michele, who was dating Monteith at the time of his death, didn’t return as Rachel Berry until the final moments of the episode to perform a farewell song with “Make You Feel My Love.”
Songs featured in the episode include the opening number “Seasons of Love” performed by several cast members, originally from Leaseand Naya Rivera’s emotional rendition of the band Perry’s “If I Die Young.” Producers of the show agreed to donate proceeds from the sale of the EP for the episode to Monteith’s favorite charity, Project Limelight.
Songs featured in “The Quarterback” |
performer(s) |
---|---|
“Seasons of Love” |
Chris Colfer, Amber Riley, Naya Rivera, Mark Salling and Jenna Ushkowitz |
“I’ll stand by you” |
Amber Riley |
“Fire and Rain” |
Kevin McHale and Chord Overstreet |
“If I Die Young” |
New Rivera |
“no issue” |
Mark Salling |
“To Make You Feel My Love” |
Lee Michelle |
This episode is mentioned as one of the most emotional, and one of the best episodes of Happiness During the show’s run. “The Quarterback” remains the highest rated episode of Happiness By fans on rating platforms and on databases like IMDb.
In order to escape the stressful reality of high school, a group of misfits decides to join William McKinley’s luck club. Fox Happiness was created by Ian Brennan, Brad Falchuk, and Ryan Murphy, with Lea Michele, Jane Lynch and Matthew Morrison leading the cast. The series ran for six seasons between 2009 and 2015 and won six Primetime Emmys.
- Figure
-
Dianna Agron, Chris Colfer, Jessalyn Gilsig, Jane Lynch, Jayma Mays, Kevin McHale, Lea Michele, Cory Monteith, Matthew Morrison, Amber Riley
- Release date
-
May 19, 2009