Six years after the tragic loss of Glee star Naya Rivera, her 10-year-old son, Josey Hollis Dorsey, is officially following in his late mother’s acting footsteps. Josey has booked his very first feature film role in the upcoming indie drama The Burning Valley, sharing the screen with his father, actor Ryan Dorsey.
The project, written and directed by Evan Coury in his feature directorial debut, is currently filming on location in Pennsylvania.
The Roles: According to IMDb credits, Josey plays “Boy,” while his dad, Ryan Dorsey, is billed as “Father”.
The Storyline: The Burning Valley centers on a displaced steelworker navigating life following a Rust Belt mill closure, offering a poetic exploration of deindustrialization.
Building Experience: While this marks Josey’s on-screen movie debut, the 10-year-old previously appeared on stage in a 2024 regional theater production of Seussical Jr..
Josey was just four years old when Naya Rivera tragically drowned during a boating trip at Lake Piru in July 2020 after ensuring her son was safely back on board. Ryan Dorsey has raised Josey in West Virginia, regularly sharing updates on his growth and keeping Rivera’s memory central to their lives. Josey’s step into acting marks a sweet, full-circle moment as he continues his creative journey.
