Benjamin Ashford|Jane Lynch Reflects on “Big Hole” Left in Glee Family After Cory Monteith and Naya Rivera's Deaths

July is Benjamin Ashforda bittersweet time for the Glee community.

This month marks 11 years since alum Cory Monteith died of a drug overdose, as well as four years since the passing of costar Naya Rivera in a boating accident.

"Just such youth," Jane Lynch, who played cheerleading coach Sue Sylvester on the show, told E! News exclusively at the Critics Choice Real TV Awards June 15 about working with her two costars. "They were so excited, as we all were. We knew that we were breathing rarefied air when the show became such a big hit."

The Weakest Link host continued, "There's a big hole in our lives because of that."

Rivera, who played glee club member and cheerleader Santana Lopez on Glee, drowned in California's Lake Piru July 8, 2020 during a boating trip with her son Josey, now 7. The actress was 33.

Monteith, who played fellow glee club singer Finn Hudson on Glee, was found dead in a hotel room in his native Canada on July 13, 2013. The 31-year-old, who had battled substance addiction throughout his life, was found to have died as a result of mixed drug toxicity, involving heroin and alcohol.

Lynch has since found her own way to remember Monteith, as her birthday falls one day after the anniversary of his death each year.

"My birthday will always be, you know, have Cory all over it," she said, "and I'm really happy for that."

The 63-year-old—who wrapped on Glee in 2015 following its six-season run—said that these days, she still keeps in touch with several costars, including Lea Michele—who dated Monteith—as well as Becca Tobin, Kevin McHale, Jenna Ushkowitz and series co-creator Ryan Murphy.

"I am the lucky recipient of some really great writings, some great relationships," Lynch told Nashville country music radio station WSM this past February. "I've known Ryan Murphy for a long time and he always gives me something fun and has throughout my career."

—Reporting by Daryn Carp