Harmonizing hearthrob Cory Monteith's rise to acting was tumultuous, but amazing. Born in Canada in 1982, he grew up in British Columbia as the son of an interior decorator and a serviceman. Unfortunately, he developed a drug addiction at the age of 12 and ultimately dropped out of school at age 16 after attending 16 different schools. At 19, his family staged an intervention, and he decided to get his life together. Finally sober, he took a job as a roofer and a telemarketer, living with a family friend in a small town. Acting happened on a whim—a friend suggested he give it a go, and an acting teacher commented on his natural talent the very first time he read a script. He was a natural (not to mention naturally gorgeous). A boyish charm, chocolate brown hair, and a chiseled jawline were the recipe for instant starhood, and Cory certainly delivered. Monteith cut his teeth in the acting world on episodes of Stargate: Atlantis, Supernatural, Smallville and with a small role in Final Destination 3 (2006). Lo and behold, three years later he stole every heart in North America with his role as the hunky Finn Hudson in Fox's absurdly popular musical series Glee. Finn was the classic high school jock who secretly wanted to perform, and all sorts of Gleeks fell in love with Cory's sensitive portrayal. We couldn't get enough of watching Cory and onetime real life girlfriend Lea Michele serenade McKinley High for 88 episodes, though we have to admit we preferred his work in All the Wrong Reasons (2013). Honestly, there's only one reason to watch this workplace drama and it's to see for a post-sex scene that showcases Chris' chest with a nice, slow shot. Mr. Man's no glee club member, but he'll happily sing the praises of that body! Cory tragically passed away in 2013 after a drug-related tragic accident, forever depriving us of his spirit, talent, and flawless face. He luckily lives on in the work he's done, though, and we're pretty darn glad.
