Cory Monteith
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How do I put this? Glee is like High School Musical if High School Musical had its stomach punched and its lunch money stolen.
—Cory Monteith comparing Glee to High School Musical
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Cory Allan Michael Monteith (May 11, 1982 – July 13, 2013)) was a Canadian actor and musician. After dropping out of high school in grade nine, he worked several odd-jobs, including Wal-Mart greeter, cab driver, roofer, school-bus driver, and car washer.
His acting career began in Vancouver, with bit parts in a plethora of shows such as Supernatural, Smallville, and both Stargates. He also had a recurring role as Charlie, Amanda's initial boyfriend in Kyle XY. He also starred in some lesser known horror movies like Hybrid and Killer Bash, both of which seemed to be banked on his incredible attractiveness. No really, the former has him shirtless throughout most of the movie because he is a werewolf; the latter was directed by David DeCoteau, famous for having his male actors appearing in shirtless homoerotic scenes for no purpose other than appearing in shirtless homoerotic scenes.
Monteith eventually auditioned for Glee, getting the role of Finn Hudson. His audition wasn't exactly like the others, the biggest difference being that he didn't actually sing. Which the producers found odd, since the show centered around people who sing. Instead, his tape included some acting samples and a clip of him playing the drums (on tupperware). While they liked him, the producers still wanted to hear him sing and, despite never singing a note in his life, Cory impressed them enough with a "cheesy 80s rendition" of Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon that he was able to be beat out other auditioners, such as Aaron Tveit and Darren Criss (although nobody's complaining about the latter).
He co-hosted the 2010 Teen Choice Awards with his fellow Glee guys and Katy Perry, as well as the 2010 Gemini awards (they're Canadian). He was an accomplished drummer, and when not partaking in Glee he performed with his band Bonnie Dune. Cory appeared in Monte Carlo and starred in Sisters & Brothers.
Monteith had a history of substance abuse since he was 12 years old, having entered drug rehabilitation once at age 19 and again in March 2013. On July 13, 2013, he died of a toxic combination of heroin and alcohol in a Vancouver hotel room. His death was mourned by fans and people close to him, including the cast, crew, and creators of Glee. "The Quarterback", the third episode of the show's fifth season, is a tribute to Monteith and focused on Finn Hudson's death.
- Canada, Eh?
- Dark and Troubled Past: He had serious drug problems in the past that led him to drop school and steal from family members.
- Dawson Casting: Hell yes. In Glee, Finn is about 16-17, and Cory was nearly 30. It's especially jarring when he was playing an adult security guard two years before Glee.
- Even the Guys Want Him
- Huge Guy, Tiny Girl: He was 6'3, so essentially him and any girl he can find, although he and Lea Michele (who is 5'2") stand out.
- Launcher of a Thousand Ships: Commonly found in every slash pairing, but of special note are Monfer fics that popped up just as much as Kinn fics.
- Older Than They Look: The Glee writers were seriously pushing on suspension of disbelief if they think he looked like a teenager. That said, he did look very baby faced for someone who was pushing thirty.
- Walking Shirtless Scene: In Hybrid.