Ryan Dorsey, Heather Morris Pay Tribute To Naya Rivera On What Would Have Been Her 36th Birthday

KEY POINTS

Ryan Dorsey honored his ex-wife on what would have been her 36th birthday
Naya Rivera's "Glee" co-star Heather Morris also paid tribute to her online
Fans greeted the late actress and praised her ex-husband for raising their son

Ryan Dorsey led the tributes for his ex-wife, Naya Rivera, on what would have been her 36th birthday.

On Thursday, the 39-year-old actor took to Instagram to share photos of the late "Glee" star with their son, Josey Hollis, who is now 7. He then poured his heart out in the lengthy message he wrote in the caption.

"A little easier with each little bit of time that passes by to look at pictures... But I still don't have the answers to the questions to the why's our sweet boy asks from time to time. I never will," the "Ray Donovan" actor wrote.

Dorsey also encouraged his fans and followers by telling them to take time to express their gratitude for being alive. "I know some days are harder than others to get up, but keep [sic] we just gotta keep pushing onward," he added.

His post was met with positive comments as many also greeted Rivera on her birthday. Some also praised Dorsey for raising their son after the actress' passing.

"Happy heavenly birthday, Naya," one wrote.

"She'd be so so proud... You're doing an amazing job with this amazing little boy," another added.

"Beautiful tribute to a beautiful momma. None of us will ever understand, but you keep her memory alive and that is beauty in itself. You're a great father," a different user commented.

Rivera's "Glee" co-star Heather Morris, 35, also paid tribute to her on social media. The dancer dedicated a post on her Instagram Story to the "Sorry" songstress.

"Happy birthday, bebe. Today is hard. Missing you every day, but today especially," she wrote, People reported.

The posts honoring Rivera came nearly three years after she drowned while on a boating trip with her then-4-year-old son on Southern California's Lake Piru.

The actress went missing during their outing, so authorities launched a search to look for her. On July 13, 2020, five days after she went missing, her body was discovered in the lake, and she was confirmed dead at the age of 33, as per Page Six.

An autopsy report revealed her cause of death as accidental drowning. Authorities said Rivera likely saved her son by putting him back on the boat before she drowned.