Real life versus acting Most fans of the television series Glee were shocked by the 2013 death of 31-year-old actor Cory Monteith (center), caused by a toxic combination of heroin and alcohol. One reason for their shock was that Finn Hudson, the Glee character played by Monteith, was so wholesome and happy. But Monteith himself had waged a long battle against substance use disorder, dating back to age 12. He had most recently pursued intense treatment for the disorder just four months before his death.