ADVERTISEMENTCanadian actor Cory Monteith, heart throb of Fox’s musical-comedy television series ‘Glee’, was found dead on Saturday at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver, police said.
There were no signs of foul play, and the cause of death was not immediately apparent, British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe told reporters at a news conference.
In response to a question about whether Monteith, 31, died of a drug overdose, Vancouver Police Department acting chief Doug LePard said said he would “not discuss anything that we might have found in the room at this time”.
An autopsy was due to be held on Monday.
Serious drug problem
Monteith, whose ‘Glee’ character Finn Hudson was a high school football player turned enthusiastic glee club – or musical group – singer, was treated at a rehabilitation facility for an unspecified substance addiction this year.
The actor had talked about what he characterised as a serious drug problem during his teenage years, and was first treated for addiction at 19.
Others were in Monteith’s hotel room on Friday night but evidence, including fob key entries, indicated he returned to his room by himself early on Saturday and was alone when he died, police said. He was due to check out of the hotel that day.
Loved and missed
Dot-Marie Jones, who plays the show’s football coach, said on Twitter, “I have no words! My heart is broken.”
Singer and former ‘Glee’ actress Kristin Chenoweth said in a message on Twitter shortly after the news was released- “You will be loved. Always.”
In a statement on the “Glee” Twitter page, the show’s executive producers and Fox said they were “deeply saddened by this tragic news”.
“Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person,” the message said. “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.”
Monteith’s representatives issued a statement, saying, “We are in shock and mourning this tragic loss” but offering no details on the possible cause of death.
‘Tall, awkward’
On his Twitter account, Monteith described himself as “tall, awkward, Canadian, actor, drummer, person”.
According to his biography on Fox’s website, Monteith was born in Calgary, Alberta, and moved to Vancouver Island in British Columbia, as a child.
Before turning to acting, he held a variety of jobs including Wal-Mart greeter, school-bus driver, roofer and cab driver.
ADVERTISEMENTMonteith’s TV credits included roles on the series ‘Kaya’ and ‘Kyle XY’ and guest appearances on ‘Smallville’, ‘Supernatural’, ‘Stargate’, ‘Flash Gordon’ and ‘Interns’.
His film credits included ‘Final Destination 3’, ‘The Invisible’, ‘Deck the Halls’ and ‘Whisper’.
With Reuters and AP