R.I.P. Cory Monteith

Cory Monteith, who broke out as one of the original stars of Fox‘s Glee, was found dead in his hotel room Saturday in Vancouver, BC. He was 31. No foul play was suspected and Vancouver police said the actor had been dead for several hours when he was discovered this morning; acting police chief Doug Lapard says an autopsy will be performed Monday. The Vancouver Sun reported that Monteith’s family, which is from BC, were notified late Saturday of his death. “We are deeply saddened by this tragic news”, said Fox, series producer 20th Century Fox TV and Glee‘s executive producers in a statement. “Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person. 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.” According to police, Monteith had checked into the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel July 6 and was due to check out today.Monteith, who plays Finn Hudson on Glee, checked into a drug addiction treatment facility at the end of March this year with two episodes left to shoot in the series’ fourth season. 20th TV supported the move, saying at the time, “Cory is a beloved member of the Glee family and we fully support his decision to seek treatment. Everyone at the show wishes him well and looks forward to his return.” The actor had been open about his addiction problems in the past and two years ago revealed that he entered rehab when he was 19.

The upcoming season of Glee is not in production right now, and Fox has already set the series’ Season 5 premiere for Thursday, September 19.