'Glee' star Cory Monteith found dead in Vancouver, British Columbia

Cory Monteith, the actor who found great fame in the hit series "Glee," was found dead in a hotel room in Vancouver, British Columbia, police said late Saturday.

Monteith, 31, was found shortly after noon at the Fairmont Pacific Rim Hotel in downtown Vancouver, said Doug LePard, acting chief of Vancouver police.

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LePard said Monteith checked into the room July 6 and was due to check out Saturday. When he missed his checkout time, staff went to the room and found his body.

LePard said that police believe Monteith had been with other people in his room on Friday night but that video and key fob entries showed he returned to his room alone early Saturday.

Police did not indicate a cause of death, but LaPard did say that according to all indications, there was no foul play. An autopsy was scheduled for Monday. LePard said family members had been notified.

Adam Shankman, who directed several episodes of "Glee," had spoken to the Monteith Saturday morning.

"I had several interactions with him yesterday where he said to me that he was feeling amazing, and he even said, 'I'm feeling fantastic again,'" Shankman told CNN. "So, like everybody else I am devastated and confused by what happened."

Word of Monteith's death spread quickly though social media; his co-star Dot Marie Jones (better known as coach Shannon Beiste to "Glee" fans) tweeted a sentiment that was echoed by many. "I have no words! My heart is broken. Cory was not only one hell of a friend he was one amazing man that I will hold close to my heart forever."

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Although Monteith had some small roles before landing the part on "Glee," it was his turn on that show as the fresh-faced Finn Hudson that cemented his place in Hollywood. And while Finn might have made him a household name, Monteith was clear about the differences between his life and the character's.

"I'm not Finn Hudson," he said in a frank 2011 interview with Parade magazine. "I'm lucky on so many counts -- I'm lucky to be alive."

Moneith was alluding to his past history with substance abuse, which included, "anything and everything, as much as possible. I had a serious problem."

His struggles resurfaced in recent months; this spring, he checked into a treatment center for an addiction problem. Shortly after his stay there, Monteith appeared to be in good spirits, as he was spotted relaxing in Mexico with his girlfriend, fellow "Glee" co-star Lea Michele.

In a statement, Fox and the producers of "Glee" said: "We are deeply saddened by this tragic news. Cory was an exceptional talent and an even more exceptional person."