It is a tragedy that still shocks fans today.
Ten years ago, on July 13, 2013, Glee's breakout star Cory Monteith was found unresponsive at the Fairmont Pacific Hotel in Vancouver. His cause of death was later revealed to be from mixed drug toxicity, with heroin and alcohol found in his system. He was 31 years old.
Just one month after his untimely passing, the Fox hit filmed a tribute episode title "The Quarterback," which ultimately aired in October of that year.
"It's an episode I was able to watch once," creator Ryan Murphy said, noting that after Monteith's death a sense of joy had vanished from Glee's set. "And I never looked at it again."
Lea Michele—Monteith's girlfriend at the time of his death—understands that pain. In fact, she's never seen the episode. "I think if I don't watch it," she previously shared, "it just kind of feels like Finn is still there."
And in her heart, he lives on. Back in 2016, she made his legacy permanent with a number five tattoo, which represents his character Finn's football jersey.
"There is an empowerment that comes with grief—at some point you find it," the actress previously shared. "It's very hard but you will find it, and I think at a certain point you can choose to sort of fall from this or you can choose to rise. And that's what I'm just trying to do my best for him, because I know that that's what he would have [wanted]."
Keep honoring Monteith's legacy by looking back on his life in pictures below...
Glee star Cory Monteith was found dead on July 13, 2023 in Vancouver. The actor leaves behind countless fans who celebrated both his acting and music career.
The actor plays with his band Bonnie Dune in Vancouver in 2011.
He attends the 2010 Golden Globes.
Monteith and girlfriend Lea Michele sneak in a kiss as the 2012 NHL playoffs.
Darren Criss, Chord Overstreet and Monteith stick together at 2013 Paleyfest in Beverly Hills.
The actor shines at the premiere of Glee The 3D Concert Movie in Los Angeles.
Monteith's Finn and his fellow Gleeks say farewell to Michele's Rachel as she heads to New York City in the 2012 episode "Goodbye."
The couple share a giggle at the premiere of American Horror Story: Asylum in Hollywood.
They cheer on the Vancouver Canucks as they take on the San Jose Sharks during the 2013 NHL Playoffs.
Monteith and Michele enjoy the Do Something Awards in 2012.
The couple share a smile as they arrive at the 2013 Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in Los Angeles.
Monteith and Michele take the stage in the series premiere of Glee.