As we mark the 10th death anniversary of ‘Glee’ star Cory Monteith, his co-star and former love interest Lea Michele paid a touching tribute, underscoring his enduring impact on her life and the ‘Glee’ fraternity. The actress commemorated Monteith’s life with a heartwarming post that featured a nostalgic black-and-white photograph of the pair, underlining the lingering sense of his absence a decade on.
Michele’s heartfelt message read, “It feels like only yesterday that you were here and yet a million years ago all at the same time. All the cherished memories we created together are securely lodged in my heart, never to be forgotten.” The emotional post concluded with a fond expression of her enduring love, “We miss you every day and the unique glow you brought to our lives. I miss you, big guy. I hope you’ve found Taylor up there and are drumming away together,” referring seemingly to the late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins who passed away unexpectedly in March 2022.
Cory Monteith, a pivotal part of ‘Glee’, was discovered lifeless on July 13, 2013, at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in Vancouver, a tragic end to a life full of potential caused by a lethal mix of heroin and alcohol. The shocking news of his untimely demise sent ripples through the entertainment world, with an outpouring of grief from fans and colleagues alike. The fifth season of ‘Glee’ featured a moving episode titled “The Quarterback” which served as a homage to both the character Finn Hudson played by Monteith and the actor himself.
Ryan Murphy, co-creator of ‘Glee’, expressed his regret on the Jenna Ushkowitz and Kevin McHale’s And That’s What You REALLY Missed podcast about the decision to continue the show in the aftermath of Monteith’s death. Murphy shared that the impact was so severe that he felt the series should have been discontinued, or at the very least put on hold for an extended period.
Michele has kept Monteith’s memory alive over the years, even opting to ink poignant tattoos in his honor. She first got a tattoo featuring Monteith’s character’s football jersey number in 2016 with the caption, “For my Quarterback … #5”. Later, in 2019, she added another tattoo, this time the word “Finn”, on her upper thigh as a permanent reminder of her late co-star.
Monteith’s premature departure left a deep void in his loved ones’ hearts. His mother, Ann McGregor, expressed her sorrow over the future that he was yet to unfold. “Cory yearned for a family of his own. He would have been an incredible father. He had achieved so much and was ready to step away from Hollywood to live his life. He had so much to look forward to,” she lamented.
All seasons of ‘Glee’, featuring Monteith’s memorable performance as Finn Hudson, are now available for streaming on Disney+.