How old the stars of 'Glee' were compared to their characters' ages

Erin McDowellDec 6, 2022, 22:18 IST

Mark Salling, Kevin McHale, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith, Dianna Agron, Jenna Ushkowitz, Lea Michele, and Amber Riley on the set of "Glee" at Paramount Studios on July 20, 2009.Vera Anderson/WireImage/Getty Images

The pilot episode of "Glee" premiered on Fox on May 19, 2009.
Cory Monteith was 11 years older than his character, Finn Hudson, when he appeared on the show.

Spanish teacher turned show choir director Will Schuester is presumed to be in his early 30s in season one.

Matthew Morrison as Will Schuester on "Glee."Fox

Matthew Morrison was 30 when he was cast on "Glee," making him only a few years older than some of his costars.

Matthew Morrison in 2009.Paul Morigi/FilmMagic/Getty Images

In the first episode of "Glee," Rachel Berry was a 16-year-old high school student with dreams of making it big on Broadway.

Lea Michele as Rachel Berry on "Glee."Fox

Lea Michele was 22 years old when she first appeared on "Glee."

Lea Michele in 2009.Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Finn Hudson is the quarterback of the McKinley High football team, despite being only a sophomore.

Cory Monteith as Finn Hudson on "Glee."Fox

Cory Monteith was one of the oldest cast members to play a high schooler.

Cory Monteith in 2009.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Santana Lopez is another 16-year-old high school sophomore.

Naya Rivera as Santana Lopez on "Glee."Fox

Naya Rivera was 22 years old when she was cast on "Glee."

Naya Rivera in 2009.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

Mercedes Jones was another 16-year-old high school sophomore with vocal chops well above her years.

Amber Riley as Mercedes Jones on "Glee."Fox

Amber Riley was 23 years old when she played Mercedes Jones on "Glee."

Amber Riley in 2009.Bryan Bedder/Getty Images

Like many other members of the original cast, Kurt Hummel is a 16-year-old high school sophomore.

Chris Colfer as Kurt Hummel on "Glee."Fox

Chris Colfer was the youngest member of the cast. At 19, he was only three years older than his character.

Chris Colfer in 2009.Bruce Glikas/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Quinn Fabray is a 16-year-old high school student and cheerleader who gets pregnant in the first season of the show.

Dianna Agron as Quinn Fabray on "Glee."Fox

Dianna Agron was also 23, making her six years older than her character.

Dianna Agron in 2009.Michael Tran/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Brittany Pierce is a 16-year-old high school sophomore. After she's held back a year, she becomes part of the second generation of the glee club.

Heather Morris as Brittany S. Pierce on "Glee."Fox

Heather Morris was 22 years old when she was hired on the show as a background character.

Heather Morris in 2009.Heather Morris/Getty Images

Noah "Puck" Puckerman is also 16 years old when we first meet him.

Mark Salling as Noah “Puck” Puckerman on "Glee."Fox

Mark Salling lied about his age when he auditioned for "Glee," claiming to be 19 when he was really 26.

Mark Salling in 2009.Steven A Henry/FilmMagic/Getty Images

Artie Abrams is a freshman when we meet him in the pilot, making him around 15 years old.

Kevin McHale as Artie Abrams on "Glee."Fox

Kevin McHale was 20 when he landed the part of Artie, making him five years older than his character.

Kevin McHale in 2009.Jordan Strauss/Getty Images

Mike Chang originally had a small role on the show, but he eventually became the glee club's resident dancer alongside Brittany.

Harry Shum Jr. as Mike Chang on "Glee."Fox

Harry Shum Jr. tied with Cory Monteith as the oldest cast member.

Harry Shum Jr. in 2009.ANDREAS BRANCH/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Tina Cohen-Chang starts off as a shy 15-year-old goth girl but goes through a metamorphosis throughout the series.

Jenna Ushkowitz as Tina Cohen-Chang on "Glee."Fox

Jenna Ushkowitz was 23 when she first played Tina Cohen-Chang, making her eight years older than her character.

Jenna Ushkowitz in 2009.Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

Jesse St. James shows up in season one as a romantic interest for Rachel Berry. He's a senior, making him around 18 years old.

Jonathan Groff as Jesse St. James on "Glee."Fox

Jonathan Groff was 24 years old when he appeared opposite his "Spring Awakening" costar and longtime friend Lea Michele.

Jonathan Groff in 2009.Gary Gershoff/WireImage/Getty Images

Sam Evans, who was introduced in the second season of "Glee," is assumed to be around 16 years old when we first meet him.

Chord Overstreet as Sam Evans on "Glee."Fox

Chord Overstreet was 21 at the time, making him not that much older than his character.

Chord Overstreet in 2010.DAVID CROTTY/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Blaine Anderson was also introduced in the second season as a member of a rival glee club, the Dalton Academy Warblers.

Darren Criss as Blaine Anderson on "Glee."Fox

Darren Criss was 23 when he first appeared on "Glee."

Darren Criss in 2010.DAVID CROTTY/Patrick McMullan/Getty Images

Sue Sylvester's age is repeatedly joked about throughout the show ... but it's never confirmed.

Jane Lynch as Sue Sylvester on "Glee."Fox

Jane Lynch was 49 years old when she appeared on "Glee" as the fiery head cheerleading coach.

Jane Lynch in 2009.Valerie Macon/WireImage/Getty Images

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