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Hollywood mourns Cory Monteith’s death; Lea Michele ‘inconsolable’

BY BILL ZWECKER July 14, 2013 11:26PM

The very happy couple: Cory Monteith LeMichele attended an awards ceremony Los Angeles 2012. The 31-year-old Monteith was found dead

The very happy couple: Cory Monteith and Lea Michele attended an awards ceremony in Los Angeles in 2012. The 31-year-old Monteith was found dead Saturday in a Canada hotel room. | AP

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Updated: August 16, 2013 6:04AM



Considering the personal popularity of “Glee” star Cory Monteith, it wasn’t surprising the young star’s untimely death in Vancouver Saturday threw his entire TV family and large circle of Hollywood friends into a deep downward spiral of grief.

While the cause of death for the 31-year-old actor won’t be confirmed until the medical examiner’s autopsy and toxicology tests are made public, virtually everyone contacted by this column Sunday was convinced Monteith died of a drug overdose.

“Cory had struggled with that demon of addiction for such a long time, but I really was hopefully after his most recent rehab [in April],” said a “Glee” associate. “It’s just such a tragedy,” added the source, breaking down on the phone. † Monteith’s co-star

Lea Michele, who has dated him since 2011, was said to be “in total, complete shock. She is inconsolable,” added a second source, close to the actress. Michele’s publicist issued a statement Sunday requesting a respect for her “privacy during this devastating time.”

† The young actor is someone I will always remember as being a total delight and an extremely kind and modest guy, from our numerous interviews the past few years. … A number of Monteith’s “Glee” co-stars took to Twitter to express their grief. One of the most poignant came from Dot-Marie Jones who tweeted early Sunday, “I have no words! My heart is broken. Cory was not only a hell of a friend, he was one amazing man that I will hold close to my heart forever.”

STAR TRACKS: No word from our Splash contributor, but there’s word Jenny McCarthy and actor Donnie Wahlberg began dating, after clicking on Jenny’s VH1 show. … Snooping into new mom Kim Kardashian ’s medical records (presumably to peddle the info to gossip outlets) got six employees sacked at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. … As tipped here Wednesday, Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez did indeed tie the knot Saturday in front of some 60 friends and family members at a Renaissance chateau in the French countryside.

SOME GOOD NEWS: After a tough few weeks, Gov. Pat Quinn no doubt is happy to learn he has been named the 2013 “Advocacy Matters” award winner, by The Arc of the United States — the largest national community-based organization serving people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Quinn is expected to sign legislation this week to pave the way to increase Illinois jobs for people with disabilities.

PASSAGES: Friends of Nancy Westlake will want to know a celebration of her life will be held at St. Chrysostom’s Church on North Dearborn, 1 p.m. Aug. 11. Nancy was long a gracious presence on the city’s social and charity scenes — particularly focused on the Little City Foundation, the American Cancer Society and the English-Speaking Union.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Bruno Mars chilled at Drumbar, after his United Center show — holding court next to the DJ booth and dancing the night away. … Joan Cusack was the star attraction at Rockit Bar & Grill Saturday, where nearly $100,000 was raised for the Piven Theatre Workshop. … Recent sightings at RPM Italian have included pop rockers Hot Chelle Rae . … Pro wrestlers CM Punk and local native Colt Cabana, plus L.A. Angels pitcher C.J. Wilson made the scene at Hub 51.




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