#SHOWBIZ: Naya Rivera's son Josey makes acting debut six years after his mother's death

Los Angeles: Naya Rivera's 11-year-old son, Josey Dorsey, is keeping his late mother's legacy alive by making his acting debut, six years after she tragically drowned in Lake Piru, California on July 8, 2020. Josey will appear alongside his father, actor Ryan Dorsey, in the upcoming film "The Burning Valley" directed by Evan Coury.

Josey's role is credited as "Boy," while Ryan plays "Father." Production for the film began in Pennsylvania, with filming expected to shift to the Allegheny River in the western part of the state next month. Coury explained that the film revolves around a steelworker who loses his job following a mill shutdown, prompting him to embark on a journey through his Rust Belt town. This exploration aims to delve into the emotional impact of deindustrialization.

Josey's first film role occurs six years after Rivera's death, during which he was four years old and found asleep onboard a boat after she disappeared. In a recent interview with Page Six, Ryan, 43, shared what his son remembers about the accident. Rivera was not wearing a life jacket, but used her strength to rescue Josey before disappearing under the water.

His body was recovered five days later. Ryan revealed that Josey is developing a connection to his mother through music, having been taking piano lessons for about a year and showing significant progress. The father and son have also established a garden in their West Virginia home, called "Mummy's Garden," as a tribute to Rivera.

Ryan encouraged Josey to continue honing his talents and carrying his mother's memory with him, assuring him that one day he would understand and appreciate his father's support.