Photo courtesy of Glee Facebook page
Post by Christa Rae Settle
Terribly tragic news struck the music and entertainment world late Saturday night when Vancouver police announced the passing of 31 year old Cory Monteith, well known for his role as “Finn Hudson” on Fox’s TV show Glee.
Cory was found in his hotel room at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada by hotel employees checking on him after he had missed his check out time. He was last seen alive returning to his room alone at 2:15 am Saturday, July 13th. As of today, the British Columbia Coroner’s Office released in an initial autopsy report that Cory died from “a mixed drug toxicity that involved heroin, primarily, and also alcohol.” Cory had been open about his drug abuse. In an interview with Parade magazine in 2011, he had stated that he had severely struggled with drugs from the age of 13 to 19 until he finally decided to try rehab, but once released he went back to his old habits. Cory went back to rehab in April of this year for the second time but unfortunately he relapsed. “It should be noted that at this point there is no evidence to suggest Mr. Monteith’s death was anything other than a most-tragic accident,” stated Cory’s publicist.
It’s sad to see a young talent struggle with drugs and fall while his career was just getting started. Cory had just finished filming a feature film, “McCanick”, an edgy indie drama in which he played a drug addict. For this role, he tapped into his dark past with drugs and really connected to his role in the film on a deep level. “McCanick” is Cory’s last film, which was to be the start of his post-Glee career. Cory had won the Teen Choice Award for Choice TV Actor: Comedy for his role in Glee back in 2011 as well as winning an Actor Award with the rest of the Glee cast for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series a year prior in 2010. He was also nominated for two other Teen Choice Awards for Choice TV: Breakout Star Male for Glee in 2009 and Choice Summer Movie Star: Male for Monte Carlo in 2011.
Reactions from fellow Glee costars, celebrity friends and acquaintances, and fans flooded social media like Twitter, Tumblr and Facebook. Jane Lynch’s birthday is July 14th and unfortunately had to be the day she heard of the news of Cory’s passing. She had stated it was a heartbreaking 53rd birthday. Matthew Morrison was said to have dedicated his cabaret act that night in Cory’s honor. Understandably, Lea Michele (Cory’s girlfriend and actress of “Rachel Berry” on Glee) is asking for privacy as she grieves and is with Cory’s family supporting each other and making appropriate arrangements with them.
The question burning for many “Gleeks” (slang word for fans of Glee) is how will the Fox hit TV show proceed with Cory Monteith’s absence, but of course, it is too soon to tell. Filming for the show’s fifth season is scheduled to begin mid-August. Needless to say, the Glee cover of “Don’t Stop Believin'” will have so much more meaning from now on.
Cory Monteith is a young talent who left the world too soon. He describes himself in his Twitter profile as “tall, awkward, Canadian, actor, drummer, person.” May he always be remembered as he described himself, as well as for his work and his humor. We must always remember, he was a person, just like anyone else. His death was tragic and sudden but his loved ones deserve the time to mourn and grieve. Let’s hope that fans and press respectfully report and cope with this loss as well.
Rest In Peace Cory Monteith. May everyone remember you positively as the talented singer and actor that you are. You are gone too soon, but you left your mark in the entertainment world. May Cory’s loved ones and fans find peace in this tragic time.
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