North StarsCory Monteith Vigil Draws Hundreds in Canada, ‘Glee’ Creator Plans Memorial
Cory Monteith was definitely beloved.
Hundreds of fans, loved ones, and mourners gathered at the Fairmont Pacific Rim hotel in Vancouver – the same hotel where the "Glee" star was found dead on July 13 – on Friday night to honor the late star.
The vigil, which reportedly lasted three hours, was organized by fan Karleigh Walker. Walker held the event after she saw how many people had left flowers and memorabilia for the 31-year-old actor.
According to E! News, fans signed balloons dedicated to the star, lit candles in honor of his memory, and sang numerous songs from "Glee." The Hollywood heartthrob's cousin Richard Monteith also played guitar and sang a tribute near the end of the impromptu ceremony.
Monteith, who died after mixing alcohol and heroin, was cremated on Tuesday, after a viewing was held for his mother, brother Shaun, and real-life girlfriend/"Glee" co-star Lea Michele.
Fans and stars alike have been deeply affected by his loss.
In his first public statement, "Glee" creator Ryan Murphy told members of the press during a panel at Comic-Con that he considered Monteith, who played the lovable Finn Hudson on his show, a "son" and was devastated by his passing.
“It is so very sad and tragic,” Murphy said. “Cory wasn’t just an actor on one of my shows, he was very important to me, and I was very invested in his sobriety. When I heard what was happening to him, I organized an intervention and got him into rehab last March. We socialized and we also fought, because while he was a lovely sweet guy, he was also a leader on the set, a strong personality and the only analogy I can think of is that he felt like an older son to me.”
Murphy added that the cast will return to the set in late August to film two previously-written episodes showcasing Beatles songs in addition to a third tribute episode for Monteith. The longtime TV creator said that going back to work will allow the cast and crew to mourn for the breakout star together.
“I understand that everyone has their own way of processing grief. Every possible option was explored, and what we did was look to the people who loved Cory, who worked with him most, and specifically Lea, and this is what they wanted to do,” he shared.
Murphy is also organizing a memorial for the cast and crew sometime this week on the Paramount lot.
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