Cory Monteith stole our hearts with his portrayal of heartthrob Finn Hudson on Glee. Whether it was confronting his true love for Rachel (Lea Michele) or putting the pieces of his future together as a Glee club leader, Monteith always portrayed Finn in a vulnerable way, which made his character perhaps the most relatable on the show.

Sadly, news broke out that the 31-year-old Canadian actor was found dead in a Vancouver hotel on the night of July 13. Though we do not know the exact cause of his death, people speculate it to be drug related. Monteith was very open about his substance abuse and addiction problems, in which he went to rehab for earlier this year.

During this incredible time of sadness, we compiled ten fun facts about Cory Monteith to shed some light in this dark time, to remember him as the amazing, talented man he was and will always be in our hearts.

10. Along with his vocal talent, Monteith is also a drummer in a band called Bonnie Dune, with his childhood friends. Check out the song posted below!

9. Met Prince Harry in 2010 when the Glee was on their European publicity tour. He tweeted a picture and wrote: ‘Look who I bumped into in London!’ He admitted on the Ellen Degeneres Show that he was extremely star struck.

8.Diehard Vancouver Canucks hockey fan, and even has a tattoo of their logo.

7. Received his high school diploma in 2011. At age 16, Monteith had attended 16 different schools including alternative programs for troubled teens, where he eventually dropped out. Years later, he finally receive his diploma.

6. Held lots of odd jobs prior to his work on Glee. These included things such as a roofer, a bus driver and a greeter at Walmart.

5. Great advocate for the LGBT Community. He filmed a PSA for Straight But Not Narrow, an online PSA organization supporting the LGBT community by changing the minds of young, straight boys and girls in their attitude towards the LGBT community. He also co-hosted the 23rd GLAAD Media Awards alongside his Glee co-star Naya Rivera.

4. Ryan Murphy, Glee creator saw a video of Monteith drumming with pencils and plastic containers and brought him in for a mass audition in Los Angeles where he was given the role of Finn Hudson. He later sang the song he covered, REO Speedwagon’s “Can’t Fight This Feeling” which he later sang on the show.

3. Won a Teen Choice award in 2011 for Choice TV actor. He was nominated for the same award two other times, and was also nominated for his role in Monte Carlo.

2>. Fell hard for his co-star Lea Michele. While holding her hand he gushed about his love for her in an adorable interview where he talks about how he was nervous to meet her because he was incredibly intimidated by her.

1. Often seen as the “glue” of Glee. Adam Shankman, a director on Glee said Monteith was always welcoming whether it was to a guest director or new cast member. “He showed up every day and he was a delight.” Additionally, Dianna Agron who plays Quinn on the show, previously said that the best thing about Glee was Cory Monteith.

RIP Cory

Image: Fox