Actor Paul Teal has passed away at the age of 35 after struggling with an undisclosed health condition, according to his partner and soon-to-be-wife, Emilia Torello. Teal was known for his role as Josh in the classic coming-of-age series One Tree Hill, and for starring in Outer Banks, Fear Street: Part Two, The Staircase, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and more. Torello posted on Instagram, “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.” She continued:
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.
Torello’s Instagram featured beautiful images of them on an August trip in the woods to celebrate Teal’s recent 35th birthday:
One Tree Hill co-star Sophia Bush wrote on her Instagram Stories, “Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Teal. We are just starting to watch his OTH episodes on Drama Queens [podcast] and he’s such a talent.”
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Bethany Joy Lenz Pens a Beautiful Tribute to Paul Teal
The CW
One Tree Hill star Bethany Joy Lenz, known for playing Haley throughout the series, wrote a touching tribute to Teal on her Instagram (which you can see below). “My heart is heavy,” she 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.” She continued:
“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,” Lenz continued. “Paul, your time here was like a summer romance for all of us who knew you, especially if only for a season. Bursting, exciting, deeply moving, and unforgettable.”
Paul Teal’s death comes around the time of frequent discussions about a One Tree Hill reboot, of which he will sadly not be a part. Teal will likely be seen posthumously in the upcoming Starz series, The Hunting Wives. According to Deadline:
“Written by Rebecca Cutter based on the novel of the same name by May Cobb,
The Hunting Wives
tells the story of Sophie O’Neil (Brittany Snow) and her family’s move from the East Coast to deep East Texas, where she succumbs to socialite Margo Bank’s (Malin Åkerman) irresistible charms – and finds her life consumed by obsession, seduction and murder.”
Paul Teal will be missed.