One Tree Hill actor Paul Teal dies aged 35 after secret health struggles as co-stars pay tribute
The actor's heartbroken fiancée Emilia Torello announced the sad news to fans, sharing that he had secretly been battling health issues
Actor Paul Teal, who is perhaps best known for his role on the hit teen drama series One Tree Hill, has died aged 35.
The actor played played movie star Josh in series seven of the hit teen programme back in 2009. While the cause of his death remains unclear, Emilia Torello, his fiancée confirmed that he had been secretly battling a health condition.
In a tear-jerking tribute, she said: "The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024. Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future. You filled my lungs with laughter, my stomach with butterflies, and my heart with love. You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail.
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"While a part of me died with you, I promise to fight to find joy in life as hard as you fought to live every single day. The world is lucky to have even had a moment with Paul Teal, and I am the luckiest person in it, because I got to call you mine. I will love you forever."
Elsewhere, his co-star Bethany Joy Lenz, who was known for playing Haley James Scott. admitted she was "gutted" over the news. She told followers: "My heart is heavy. Paul Teal was the kind of guy who lit up a room without trying. His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him.
"I worked closely with Paul for months when he played Noah in my and @ronaniello musical production of The Notebook in 2006. He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. Later, I was giddy to be directing an episode of One Tree Hill where I’d get to cast a new recurring character, Josh- the sleazy movie star. With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part. He was a joy to work with in any environment and so generous.
"We stayed in touch on and off. I wish it had been more. I wish I’d called all those times I meant to but got distracted. Life is short. I keep thinking that this week. Life is short. Here is a video of the few photos I have on my hard drive of Paul as the iconic Noah Calhoun in our little black box production. And the song is ‘Sunday Train’, Noah’s big solo, which we recorded that year with Paul singing. Now at 35, he's taken another train. He was too young to die. Far too young. I'm gutted." She added that Paul's life was "like a summer romance."
Sophia Bush, who played Brooke Davis on One Tree Hill, also paid tribute to Paul in a message shared on social media which read: "Incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Paul Teal. We've just started watching his #OTH episodes on Drama Queens and he was such a joy to work with."
Aside from One Tree Hill, Paul was known for his roles as Deputy Clark in the 2022 movie, Deep Water and Pastor Pete in the TV series, The Hunting Wives, while other film and television credits included appearances in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Fear Street, Outer Banks and Deep Water.
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