Top 10 Entertainment Stories of 2013 by Enstars: No. 5 - Shocking Celebrity Deaths Of Paul Walker, Cory Monteith, Gia Allemand & James Gandolfini
In 2013, there were four shocking celebrity deaths that left fans saddened, including the loss of Cory Monteith, Gia Allemand, James Gandolfini and most recently Paul Walker.
Cory Monteith, who played heartthrob Finn Hudson on Fox's Glee, died at the age of 31 from a mixture of heroin and alcohol while in a Vancouver hotel on July 13.
The actor had a long history with substance abuse and entered rehab for the first time when he was 19. In 2011, he admitted to Parade magazine that he "had a serious problem.”
In March, he entered rehab again for substance addiction. When he left the facility, Monteith along with his Glee costar and real-life girlfriend Lea Michelle were happily spotted at the Vancouver Canucks game in May.
Shortly after Monteith’s death, Michelle tweeted: "Thank you all for helping me through this time with your enormous love & support. Cory will forever be in my heart.”
Top 10 Entertainment Stories of 2012
Gia Allemand, who gained fame on The Bachelor and Bachelor Pad, committed suicide on Aug. 14 at the age of 29. Allemand used a vacuum cleaner cord to hang herself from the stairwell of her home, according to E! News.
At the time of her death she was living in New Orleans and dating NBA player Ryan Anderson of the New Orleans Pelicans. According to the same report, the two were fighting hours prior to her death and Anderson was the one who found her unconscious in her apartment.
"She had such an amazing impact on my life and anyone that knew her was blessed," Anderson said in a statement. "All I have left is to cherish those memories we made together and help perpetuate the many values, faith and love that we shared."
James Gandolfini, best known for his role as Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos, died from a heart attack on June 19, while on vacation in Italy at the age of 51. He is survived by his wife Deborah Lin and two children Michael and Liliana.
Edie Falco, the actress who played Tony's wife Carmela, said she was “devastated” by the loss of her former costar.
"He was a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family," Falco said in a statement. "The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I've ever known."
Paul Walker, who played Brian O'Conner in the Fast and the Furious franchise, tragically died in a car crash on Nov. 30. Walker was a passenger in a red 2005 Porsche Carrera GT that crashed into a pole and burst into flames in Santa Clarita, Calif. Both the actor and the driver, Roger Rodas, were killed. Walker was 40 and Rodas was 38.
Days after Walker’s death, fans and costars gathered to mourn him at the spot where he lost his life. His Fast and The Furious costar Vin Diesel also made an impromptu speech to the hundreds of fans who stood at the site.
"The love that you've shown Paul, it's going to stay with me forever," Diesel said. "I just wanted to say thank you. Thank you for coming down here and showing that angel up in heaven how much you appreciate him."
