“Glee” fans got a dose of nostalgia this week when Chris Colfer unexpectedly crossed paths with his onscreen dad, Mike O’Malley.
The pair, who played Kurt and Burt Hummel on the hit Fox series, bumped into each other at the airport. Colfer shared the sweet run-in on Threads, posting a photo of the two embracing. O’Malley, ever the proud dad figure, pointed at Colfer with a straight face while the actor beamed for the camera.
“Always love running into family at the airport!” Colfer wrote, tagging O’Malley and adding, “Love ya, Dad!”
The Hummels’ Lasting Legacy
The Hummel father-son storyline remains one of the most impactful arcs in “Glee’s” six-season run from 2009 to 2015. Kurt was among the first openly gay teen characters to lead a network series, with Colfer’s performance praised for its honesty and heart.
O’Malley’s Burt Hummel, initially written as a gruff, sports-loving dad, became one of television’s most memorable portrayals of unconditional parental support. Their dynamic earned both actors Emmy nods, and Colfer later took home a Golden Globe in 2011.
Glee Memories and Real-Life Bonds
Though “Glee” ended a decade ago, its cast continues to reunite in unexpected ways. The show left behind a complicated but enduring legacy, remembered as much for its campy performances as for its groundbreaking LGBTQ+ representation.
Colfer and O’Malley’s surprise encounter follows other recent meetups. Just last year, O’Malley caught up with Darren Criss, who played Kurt’s onscreen husband Blaine Anderson, for the show’s 15th anniversary. O’Malley jokingly called Criss a “heckuva son-in-law” in his caption.
Over the summer, Colfer and Criss also reunited when Criss won a Tony Award for his role in Maybe Happy Ending. Colfer celebrated the milestone by sharing photos from their post-show hangout.
Fans Still Gleeking Out
For “Glee’s” devoted fanbase, affectionately known as Gleeks, these reunions provide a reminder of the show’s cultural footprint. While the cast has endured tragedy, including the deaths of Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera, moments like Colfer and O’Malley’s airport photo keep the spirit of the series alive.
O’Malley also used the reunion to shout out Colfer’s latest project. The actor and author is preparing for his upcoming book tour, and O’Malley couldn’t help but cheer him on in the comments.
“This kid is a rock star!” O’Malley wrote. “Couldn’t be more proud of this dude… Book tour now!”
