Actor Cory Monteith dead at 31
Last Updated at 2:40 a.m. ET
Actor Cory Monteith, who rose to fame on the hit Fox show "Glee," has died. He was 31.
Monteith was found dead inside his hotel room in Vancouver, British Columbia, around noon local time on Saturday, after he missed his check-out time, according to Deputy Police Chief Doug Lepard.
Monteith was dead when paramedics arrived on the scene, authorities said, noting that he had been "deceased for several hours." Monteith was in his room at the Pacific Rim Hotel earlier in the day with other people, police said, but it was believed he was alone at the time of his death. All indications point to no foul play.
The cause of death wasn't immediately apparent, said Coroner Lisa Lapointe. Police will speak to family and friends. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday.
It wasn't immediately clear why Monteith was in Vancouver or who he had been with over the last several days. Monteith, who portrayed Finn Hudson on "Glee," is from Canada and grew up in Vancouver.
Monteith's death follows news that he had entered rehab this past spring. A rep confirmed in April that the actor had "voluntarily admitted himself to a treatment facility for substance addiction."
At the end of May, Monteith tweeted: "sending out big love to everyone. thank you for the continued support! It means the world to me!"
Monteith received treatment when he was 19 and has previously opened up about his addiction battles, saying he had a serious problem and took "anything and everything." In 2011, he told Parade magazine that he was "lucky to be alive."
Monteith had dated his fellow "Glee" co-star Lea Michele. When he entered rehab this year, she told People, "I love and support Cory and will stand by him through this. I am grateful and proud he made this decision."
His acting credits include a part in the 2010 romantic comedy "Monte Carlo," along with appearances in "Final Destination 3," "Deck the Halls" and "Whisper." Monteith also made guest appearances on "The Simpsons," "The Cleveland Show" and "Smallville."
Joining the cast of "Glee" in 2009 opened a lot of doors for Monteith, who went on to co-host the Teen Choice Awards in 2010. A year later, he won a Teen Choice award for top actor in a comedy. In 2012, he co-hosted the GLAAD Media Awards in New York City with "Glee" co-star Naya Rivera.
As Finn on "Glee," Monteith portrayed the star quarterback at McKinley High School. After auditioning for the school's glee club, Finn falls in love with singing and gets to show off his percussion skills. But things became complicated when -- in the first season -- he has to choose between football and performing in the singing group, New Directions. Through the years, viewers watched as Finn balanced his two interests -- and as he navigated dating, dancing, school and family.
Before making it in Hollywood, Monteith had various jobs, working as a cab driver, a Wal-Mart greeter, a school bus driver and a roofer.
