Cory Monteith Memorialized by ‘Glee’ Mates as First Modeling Shots Surface

The world was shocked at the sudden death of "Glee" star Cory Monteith, who passed away July 13 from a "mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol," an autopsy revealed.

But long before anyone had heard of the talented actor's troubles, or even the actor himself, a 22-year-old Monteith posed for modeling photos in an attempt to kick-start a career.

"Richard saw him, signed him up, and asked me to shoot him," photographer Gary Fitzpatrick tells The Hollywood Reporter of taking shots of Monteith in 2005 for Richard Hawley's model management agency in Vancouver, Canada.

In one of the photos, a young Monteith gives off a bit of a bad boy stare while wearing a black leather jacket and shirt, while in others he sports a chunky cable knit sweater pulled up over his lips and also poses with the top pulled up off of his bare chest.

The photos show a lighter side of the actor during a dark time for his family and friends. On Thursday, "Glee's" cast, crew, and creators gathered for a private memorial service to honor Monteith.

"Today, Ryan Murphy and Lea Michele gathered the cast, crew and producers of 'Glee,' along with colleagues from the network and studio, to share memories and music in an emotional celebration of the life of Cory Monteith," 20th Century Fox Television said in a statement. "We thank the public for their continued outpouring of love and support as we grieve our friend and colleague during this difficult time."

Fox has delayed the fifth-season premiere of the show until September 26, and last week co-creator Ryan Murphy says he has been looking to the show's star, and Monteith's girlfriend, Michele for input on how the program will handle the exit of Monteith's character Finn Hudson.

"When we do the tribute episode to that character, we'll have to do it in a way where cast members will not have to re-create feelings of grief that they’ve had this week — but do it in an upbeat way," Murphy told THR.

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