Cory Monteith

**Cory Allan Michael Monteith** (May 11, 1982–July 13, 2013) was a Canadian actor and musician, best known for his role as Finn Hudson on the Fox television series _Glee_.

## Acting career

Monteith was born in Calgary, but raised in Victoria, British Columbia. He began his acting career in Vancouver, British Columbia. He played small roles in _Final Destination 3_, _Whisper_ and _Deck the Halls_. He had a regular role in _Kyle XY_. He also guest starred in such Canadian-filmed television shows as _Smallville_, _Supernatural_, _Flash Gordon_, _Stargate Atlantis_ and _Stargate SG-1_.

In 2005 he acted in _Killer Bash_ about a murdered geek's soul taking revenge on his murderer's children by taking over a girl's body. In 2007, he starred in the MTV series _Kaya_.

In 2009, Monteith was cast in the Fox series _Glee_, playing Finn Hudson, the male lead of the glee club and the quarterback of McKinley High School. For his audition tape, he drummed on Tupperware using pencils. The first time he sang in front of an audience was at his in-person audition, at which he sang "Honesty" by Billy Joel. He and Lea Michele, his _Glee_ co-star, were included in _Entertainment Weekly_'s 2009 "Summer Must List", being named "Summer's Must Songbirds" for their roles as Finn and Rachel on _Glee_, respectively.

In April 2010, Monteith was cast in the romantic comedy movie _Monte Carlo_. In May 2010, the cast of _Glee_ went on a two week live tour with stops in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Chicago and New York City. The cast performed many hits from the show and had several skits between songs.

On August 8, 2010 he co-hosted the Teen Choice Awards. Monteith hosted the Gemini Awards in Toronto on November 13, 2010.

In January 2011, he was filmed for the movie Sisters and Brothers with Dustin Milligan, and it was announced that Monteith is at the center of a new untitled workplace comedy, starring and co-producing.

## Music career

Monteith played drums for the Indie rock band "Bonnie Dune" based in Los Angeles. Members include lead singer Justin Wilczynski (who co-starred with Monteith on the short-lived MTV series _Kaya_), guitarist Seth Roberts (who is the singer of the band Lakes), and bassist Josh Kerr.

## Personal life

Monteith was born in Calgary, Alberta and raised in Victoria, British Columbia. He had one older brother. His parents divorced when he was 7 years old. He lived with his mother in Calgary, Alberta, with his father living in Oromocto, New Brunswick. Before becoming an actor, he worked in Nanaimo, British Columbia as a Wal-Mart people greeter, at a car wash, taxicab driver, school bus driver and roofer.

He lived in Los Angeles. He dropped out of school in the ninth grade. Monteith said in an interview: "It wasn't for me. I can remember ever since about the sixth or seventh grade, I just didn't understand why I had to learn what I was learning. For some reason, there was a spirit of rebellion in me."

## Death

Monteith was found dead in his Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel room on July 13, 2013 in Vancouver, British Columbia. He was 31. The cause of his death was of a drug overdose of heroin and alcohol.

### Awards won

- Hollywood Style Awards 2010
    - Male Future Style Icon Award
- SAG Awards 2010
    - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

### Nominations

- SAG Awards 2011
    - Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series
- Teen Choice Awards 2009
    - Choice TV: Actor Breakout Star Male
- Teen Choice Awards 2010
    - Choice TV: Comedy Actor
    - Choice Smile

## Infobox (person)

- **name**: Cory Monteith
- **image**: Cory Monteith 2, 2011.jpg
- **image size**: 220px
- **caption**: Monteith at Westfield Sydney shopping centre, December 2011
- **birth name**: Cory Allan Michael Monteith
- **birth place**: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- **death place**: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
- **death cause**: Drug overdose
- **resting place**: Sea
- **occupation**: Actor, musician
- **yearsactive**: 2004–2013
- **known for**: Finn Hudson on _Glee (TV series), Glee_
- **spouse**: Lea Michele (January 2010 - February 2013)
- Spouse [[Lea Michele]] January 2011 - February 2013