Following the death of "Glee" actor Cory Monteith, who was found dead of a drug overdose in a Canada hotel room, co-stars Jane Lynch and Dianna Agron are speaking out about their tragic loss.
"I have never lost a friend. In this difficult time, I am leaning on all of the wonderful memories we shared with Cory, how many ways he was able to make us smile," the actress, who played Quinn Fabray, the on-and-off love interest to Monteith's Finn Hudson, said in a statement. "Glee was a gift to all of us. It gave us a family in this industry. We really cut our teeth and grew up on this show. In playing underdogs, we learned that we had dug into the hearts of our viewers and that we could stay there."
"Cory is so deserving of that place in everyone's hearts," she continued. "He was one of the most generous and kind people that I have ever met. He had a smart, curious mind, he was an enormous talent. He was loving to not only me, but my family. My heart goes out to his family, to Lea, to everyone that is struggling with the loss of our friend. We will miss you Cory. We will always carry a piece of you with us."
Jane Lynch, who plays "Glee's" comical nemesis Sue Sylvester, also spoke about Monteith during an emotional appearance on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
"Cory's one of the biggest hearts, was a real bright light. He was one of those guys that...you know, he knew he was breathing rarified air...the gifts that this wonderful show gave us," she said of her co-star. "He was always aware that it was a gift and he was quite generous.
"He once flew across the country on his own nickel to meet with a sick kid [whose] last wish was to meet him. That's just the kind of guy he was. Just a real giver," she said.
Lynch also talked about Monteith's infectious and admirable spirit.
"He was one of those adventurous types of people. I always admired how he would get up...you know, he would fly to Mexico, he'd throw parties for his friends. I don't think he left one day unlived. He was a real bright light in our family and we've lost a really great guy."
