On Saturday, Glee star Cory Monteith — who played main character Finn Hudson on the Fox musical dramedy — was found dead of an apparent drug overdose in his Vancouver hotel room. He was 31 years old.
The news of Monteith's sudden death has resulted in an outpouring of grief over the past two days from the show's cast, creative team, and devoted fan base. A representative for Monteith's co-star and girlfriend, Lea Michele, released a brief statement requesting that everyone "kindly respect Lea's privacy during this devastating time." But while Michele grieves in private, plenty of her fellow cast members have opted to offer public tributes to the deceased star. Here, read how the cast of Glee has paid tribute to Cory Monteith:
1. Matthew Morrison dedicates a performance of the song "What I Did for Love" to Monteith:
At a performance of his stage show Up Close and Personal With Matthew Morrison at 54 Below in New York City, Morrison — who plays Glee Club director Mr. Shuester on the show — dedicated the song "What I Did for Love" to Monteith. According to a source at Us Weekly, Morrison took the stage and said, "We lost a great young man too soon," adding that Monteith was " a beautiful person" before launching into the song. "What I Did for Love" was also performed by Lea Michele in Glee's second season premiere:
2. In a series of tweets on the official @GLEEonFOX Twitter account, the show's executive producers reacted to Monteith's death:
Statement on behalf of: GLEE Executive Producers, 20th Century Fox Television and FOX Broadcasting Company.
— GLEE (@GLEEonFOX) July 14, 2013
We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person.
— GLEE (@GLEEonFOX) July 14, 2013
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.
— GLEE (@GLEEonFOX) July 14, 2013
3. Many of Glee's cast members also took to Twitter to express their grief and pay tribute to Monteith:
Mark Salling (Noah "Puck" Puckerman):
going through a million memories and emotions today. ill love you always Brother Cory.
— Mark Salling (@MarkSalling) July 14, 2013
Dot Marie Jones (Shannon Beiste):
I HAVE NO WORDS! MY HEART IS BROKEN CORY WAS NOT ONLY A HELL OF A FRIEND HE WAS ONE AMAZING MEN THAT I WILL HOLD CLOSE TO MY HEART FOREVER
— Dot-Marie Jones (@dotmariejones) July 14, 2013
I AM BLESSED TO HAVE WORKED WITH HIM AND LOVE HIM SO MUCH! MY HEART IS WITH HID FAMILY AND OUR WHOLE GLEE FAMILY! I LOVE YOU ALL!
— Dot-Marie Jones (@dotmariejones) July 14, 2013
Kristin Chenoweth (April Rhodes):
RIP CoryMontieth. You will be loved. Always.
— Kristin Chenoweth (@KChenoweth) July 14, 2013
Lauren Potter (Becky Jackson):
I am totally heartbroken right now. I love Cory so much this hurts my heart.
— Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 14, 2013
I hope my #glee family is ok right now. I love them all.
— Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 14, 2013
Cory was always so nice to me. I have so many good memories. pic.twitter.com/XYw4S8gMDH
— Lauren Potter (@TheLaurenPotter) July 14, 2013
Iqbal Theba (Principal Figgins):
OMG!! My Cory...
— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba) July 14, 2013
I have spent last night hugging my 10 yr old. May God give us the strength to deal with this Tragedy. I love u Cory
— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba) July 14, 2013
Plz accept my gratitude for sharing ur love support n grief with our GleeFamily. I will start responding to ur tweets like I used to, soon
— iqbal theba (@iqbaltheba) July 15, 2013
Harry Shum Jr. (Mike Chang):
At this time, please send nothing but love and light. This tragic news still doesn't seem real to me. I love you Cory.
— Harry Shum Jr (@iharryshum) July 14, 2013
Josh Sussman (Jacob Ben Israel):
I am so saddened to hear about Cory. He was such a great guy/Super-kind &warm. A tragic loss. My heart goes out to all his friends & family.
— Josh Sussman (@JoshSussman) July 14, 2013
RIP Cory. Glad to have met you on your journey. U will be missed. http://t.co/AYy2BZiBcE
— Josh Sussman (@JoshSussman) July 14, 2013
I still can't believe you are gone. This is unreal. We miss you Cory. Thanks again for the cookies. http://t.co/nmcK0Utcse
— Josh Sussman (@JoshSussman) July 14, 2013
Cheyenne Jackson (Dustin Goolsby):
What I will remember about Cory Monteith is that he was talented, funny and absolutely kindhearted. We lost a gentleman. RIP
— Cheyenne Jackson (@cheyennejackson) July 14, 2013
Damian McGinty (Rory Flanagan):
The guy I shot my first acting scene with. The nicest guy I've met. Can't believe it.
— Damian Mc Ginty (@damianmcginty) July 14, 2013
According to Fox News, Glee's creative team hasn't decided how Monteith's character will be written out of the series. Glee's fifth season is currently scheduled to begin production in late July or early August, and the show has already been renewed for a sixth season.