Actor Paul Teal, star of the hit TV show “One Tree Hill,” has died, his family has revealed.
Teal died on Friday at just 35 years old.
His death was confirmed in a Monday Instagram post by his fiancee Emilia Torello.
Torello suggested that Teal has died following a “battle” that he “fought bravely.”
However, no cause of death was revealed.
She wrote: “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.
“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.”
Teal played movie star Josh in season seven of the Warner Bros series in 2009.
His former co-star Bethany Joy Lenz – who played Haley James Scott on the show – posted a tribute on social media, saying she is “gutted” by the loss.
“My heart is heavy,” Lenz wrote.
“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,” Lenz wrote.
“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.”
‘Now at 35, he’s taken another train,” Lenz added.
“He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted.”
“Paul, your time here was like a summer romance for all of us who knew you, especially if only for a season,” she added.
“Bursting, exciting, deeply moving, and unforgettable.
“I’ll miss you, Paul. Thank you for sharing your light with us. @paulteal.”
“One Tree Hill” was Teal’s first acting credit and saw his character Josh date Jana Kramer’s character Alex Dupre before coming out as gay.
He appeared in two episodes of “Outer Banks” in 2021 and played Deputy Clark in Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas’s film, “Deep Water.”
He played Brad Wolgamott in the 2021 series “The Staircase” alongside Colin Firth and Toni Colette.
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