"Glee" star Cory Monteith's father, Joe, recently opened up about the loss of his son one year ago.
Joe said that he still struggles with the tremendous loss, and regrets not attending the funeral of his estranged son. He also encouraged actress Lea Michele – Cory's co-star and girlfriend at the time of his death – to enjoy her life.
Cory died on July 13, 2013 from an accidental overdose of heroin and alcohol. He was 31 years old.
The actor battled addiction for over a decade, and completed a rehab program less than three months before his death. His father described the devastating loss.
"I still miss him very much and I still have the empty feeling inside," Joe told Entertainment Tonight.
"Cory was a likeable young man and if he was in the room, you'd be smiling.
"He enjoyed life. That's why I was so shocked about the outcome of everything."
Joe and Cory's mother, Ann, divorced when Cory was seven years old. The father and son had a strained relationship, and Joe said that he was not invited to the funeral.
"I didn't get to go to his viewing, which, it would have meant a lot," he said.
Cory played the popular jock on the hit ABC show, and began dating his television love interest, Lea Michele, in 2012. Joe encouraged the actress to enjoy life's gifts.
"She's a beautiful young woman, she's just getting to the top of her career and I don't expect her to go out and do it alone," he said.
"She should enjoy life. She had a good time when she was with Cory, from what I understand, but life's gotta go on."
Just days ago, "Glee" star Becca Tobin's boyfriend, Matt Bendick, was found dead in a hotel room. The cause of death is pending following an autopsy.
The "Glee" cast also suffered the loss of production assistant Nancy Motes, who was the sister of Julia Roberts. Motes committed suicide in February 2014.
