Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
Glee star Cory Monteith has been found dead in a Canadian hotel. The 31-year-old, who played Finn Hudson in the Fox TV hit, was found dead at the Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver city centre on Saturday.
The cause of death was not immediately apparent, police say, but foul play has been ruled out.
Monteith, who had been in the musical comedy since its 2009 start, was treated for drug addiction in April, and had a history of substance-abuse.
His body was found by hotel staff after he missed his check-out time on Saturday, said Vancouver’s Deputy Police Chief Doug Lepard.
He had returned to his room at the Pacific Rim alone early on Saturday morning having been out with friends earlier in the evening.
Coroner Lisa Lapointe said: “We do not have a great deal of information as to cause of death.”
Further details will be revealed this week after the results of tests by the authorities are announced.
Calgary-born Monteith described himself on Twitter as ‘tall, awkward, Canadian, actor, drummer, person’.
He was treated for drug abuse in his teens and had been open about his battle against addiction, telling one interviewer he took ‘anything and everything’.
Lea Michele said she loved and supported her long-term boyfriend and was proud he was seeking help, People magazine reported when he entered the rehabilitation programme.
Michele played Monteith’s opposite number Rachel Berry in Glee, which follows a group of American secondary school misfits in their quest for singing contest glory.
Lea found the news out by telephone, and was shocked to her very core, a friend said. “Lea broke down in tears when she heard the news. Cory was her whole world. They’ve been through a lot together,” she said.
His friends, co-stars and others in the Hollywood community, not to mention legions of fans, shared their sorrow on line and in the media.
Glee Executive Producers, 20th Century Fox Television and Fox Broadcasting Company said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. He was a true joy to work with and we will all miss him tremendously. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and loved ones.”
Known for its melodic covers and celebrity cameo appearances – the show featured appearances by Britney Spears, Gwyneth Paltrow and Neil Patrick Harris – Glee’s four series had made global celebrities of its cast.
Recently it was announced that American Idol’s Adam Lambert will be appearing in the fifth season.
His appearance on the show follows fellow American Idol alum Jessica Sanchez’s appearance on the musical series last season. She appeared on two episodes as Frida Romero, the lead vocalist of the Glee club, The Hoosierdaddies.
Lambert, who has been floated by reports as a possible judge next season on Idol, arrives to the series during a time of transition and now tragedy.
Recently, it promoted five recurring actors to series regulars. They replace five original cast members who won’t be returning for Season 5, unless they’re tapped to guest star.
The latest Glee episodes will be shown on OSN in September.
