I am heartbroken over the death of Cory Monteith. My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to his family, his friends, his fans, and everyone who is affected by this tremendous loss.

Like most, I was introduced to Cory through Glee and instantly connected to his character of Finn Hudson, a young man who was trying to find his voice and embrace who he is, flaws and all. I was incredibly impressed by his talents as an actor, and he became one of the most beloved members of the cast for his funny, friendly, kind, and humble nature.

Besides acting, he made his mark through music (the photo above is from a Pinkberry event I attended where he played the drums with his band, Bonnie Dune), through his philanthropy work (he was an advocate for organizations such as Project Limelight, Virgin Unite, and GLAAD, and was the recipient of the 2012 Do Something Award for his efforts to motivate youth to take action on social causes), and even through cheering on his hockey team, the Vancouver Canucks (he was always so happy and proud to be a Canadian – and it made me feel the same way).

It is so devastating when young people pass away so suddenly (he was only 31), but I believe he has left behind a strong legacy during his time with us. In a society that mercilessly ostracizes those who struggle with very REAL issues like addiction and depression, he is someone who had the courage to seek help, and thus, he inspires others to do the same. He went through many challenges along his journey, but he always fought through with hard work, optimism, and bravery. To me and many others, he will be remembered for his authenticity, compassion, and perseverance.

Thank you for all that you’ve done to make a difference in our world, Cory Monteith. May you rest peacefully.