Cory Monteith
Actor Cory Monteith arrives at the Teen Choice Awards show in Los Angeles Aug. 7, 2011. Reuters

Jane Lynch gave a moving speech about the late “Glee” star Cory Monteith at the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on Sunday night. The 53-year-old actress spoke about the actor who tragically died in July.

The 31-year-old star struggled with addiction and went to rehab. Still, many of his fans were shocked when they learned the Candadian actor had been found dead in a hotel room. His girlfriend and “Glee” co-star Lea Michele wears his name in a necklace. On Sunday, Lynch remembered the actor, too.

Check out the full text of Lynch’s memorial speech below, as reported by E News:

“It is remarkable and perhaps a little curious how television shows become like families. This summer, on our show ‘Glee,’ we suffered a painful death in our family.

“Cory Monteith played Finn Hudson, a star quarterback turned wide-eyed, heartfelt glee singer. And from the first time you saw Cory, he had a star quality and a genuine sweetness that made it impossible not to fall in love with him. And millions did fall in love with Cory.

“And I am here to say that all that warmth and that charm, that openhearted quality that we loved in Cory was no act. Cory was a beautiful soul. He was not perfect, which many of us here tonight can relate to. His death is a tragic reminder of the rapacious, senseless destruction that’s brought on by addiction.

“Tonight we remember Cory for all he was and mourn the loss of all he could have been. To a generation that loved Cory so, please know: This gifted and wonderful young man was worthy of your love. And if you were lucky enough to know Cory as we did and witness firsthand Cory’s goofy, breezy sense of humor, his natural instinct for inclusiveness, and his unbridled sense of generosity day in and day out, I promise, you’d have loved him even more.”