Glee's Mike O'Malley: Cory Monteith Was the "Real-Life Quarterback of That Set"

Mike O'Malley took time out from promoting his new NBC comedy Welcome to the Familyon Saturday to honor his Gleeco-star Cory Monteith, who died tragically earlier this month.

O'Malley, who plays Burt Hummel, the stepfather of Monteith's character Finn Hudson, recalled his time with Monteith, with whom he shared many scenes. "I think I had what was probably the toughest scene I've ever acted in my career as an actor opposite him, when I had to throw Finn out of the house for a slur that he used," O'Malley said. "It was remarkable to me, when we're shooting that scene over and over again, the depth of emotion he was able to portray, the sorrow, the shame."

Glee cast, crew gathers for "emotional celebration" of Cory Monteith's life

"He was the fictional quarterback on that show and the very real quarterback on that set," he continued. "He was an incredibly warm guy, a guy who was welcoming to everyone who came on that show, from the beginning through the new folks who came on this past year. He was a very hard-working actor. I loved working with him. He was a great guy. I miss him very much."

Fox announced last week that Glee's season premiere has been pushed back a week to Sept. 26; production will begin in early August. The third episode of the season will deal with Finn's death, followed by a long hiatus. "I plan on being there," O'Malley said. "I think they'll be shooting [the tribute episode] at a time when [Welcome to the Family] is on hiatus," he said.

Ryan Murphy discusses Cory Monteith's death, Glee's tribute episode

Monteith, 31, was found dead on July 13 in a Vancouver hotel. Tests revealed a lethal combination of heroin and alcohol.

Will you be watching Glee's tribute to Monteith?