Cory Monteith
His heartfelt portrayal of Finn Hudson on 'Glee' made him a star, but his personal struggle with addiction ended his story far too soon.
1982–2013 (age 31)·Canadian actor·Birthday: May 11·Millennials
Biography
Cory Monteith's rise to fame felt like a real-life version of the underdog stories celebrated on the show that made him famous. With little formal acting training, he landed the role of Finn Hudson, the earnest, jock-with-a-heart on the groundbreaking series 'Glee.' His natural charm and everyman quality made Finn the emotional core of the show's early seasons, and Monteith became a face of its massive cultural impact. Off-screen, however, he battled substance addiction, a struggle that began in his teens. His commitment to recovery was public, but in July 2013, he was found dead in a Vancouver hotel room from a mixed drug toxicity. His passing at 31 sent shockwaves through the show's fanbase and cast a lasting shadow over the joy 'Glee' represented, highlighting the painful disconnect between a celebrated public persona and a private fight.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cory was born in 1982, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cory Was Born
The biggest hits of 1982
#1 Movie
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Best Picture
Gandhi
#1 TV Show
Dallas
Cory's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1982Born
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1987Started school
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1995Became a teenager
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
1998Could drive
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2000Could vote
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Turned 21
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2012Turned 30
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2013Died at 31
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
Key Achievements
- Starred as Finn Hudson, the central male lead, for four seasons on the hit Fox musical series 'Glee'.
- Won a People's Choice Award in 2010 for Favorite TV Comedy Actor alongside his 'Glee' co-stars.
- His performance helped 'Glee' become a global phenomenon that revitalized interest in musical television.
Did You Know?
He was a talented drummer and played in several bands before his acting career took off.
He dropped out of high school at age 16 and worked various jobs, including as a Walmart greeter and a taxi dispatcher.
He was in a relationship with his 'Glee' co-star Lea Michele at the time of his death.
“I don't want kids to think it's okay to drop out of school and get high, and they'll be famous actors, too.”
