‘Glee’ season 5: See Mike O’Malley’s tribute to Cory Monteith

If there is a good role model for the “Glee” cast both onscreen and off, it’s Mike O’Malley. This is a man who has spent decades getting to the point where has played a gamete of roles on TV: He now happens to be leading a show, has delivered a knockout supporting part performance, and has helped actors when they are struggling. As Burt Hummel though, he’s basically the dad that everyone wishes they could have.

So while O’Malley was not related to Cory Monteith in any way, losing his TV stepson still likely felt like losing a son. The two spent time together on the set, and O’Malley was a part of some of his more-difficult scenes. This bleeds through the actor’s statement to People Magazine, where he explains his sense of grief and loss over what happened:

“Cory Monteith was a great guy; Funny, deep, thoughtful, and hardworking. In real life, he was the coolest dude, generous, and a great friend to his pals. As Finn Hudson, he did what so many actors strive to do: authentically portray human behavior in a specific, understated manner, thereby eliciting laughter and creating camaraderie with his audience.

“If an ability to show others kindness and fostering fellowship are two qualities that all humans should strive for, Cory mastered them long before he died. He deserved a long life. His death has rocked all of us at Glee.” 

These statements as of late have kept fans in a constant state of tearing up, and this will likely continue over the next few days while funeral arrangements are made. While the majority of viewers did not know the man, he had a quality about him that invited you into his world. This is where much of the sense of loss comes from, that along with the fact that he was just so young at the time of his death.

If you do want to read some more news looking back at this tragedy, including statements from Naya Rivera and many more actors, just be sure to visit the link here.

Photo: Fox