Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
One Tree Hill star Paul Teal died on Friday, November 15.
Emilia Torello, his fiancée, broke the news via Instagram in a touching tribute to him.
“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024,” she wrote in the lengthy memorial post, alongside a black-and-white photo of her kissing Teal on the cheek as he smiled for the camera.
“Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future,” she continued. “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,” she added. “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 appeared as Josh Avery in seven episodes of One Tree Hill in 2010.
His co-star, Bethany Joy Lenz, also posted a tribute to the actor.
“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,” Lenz penned via instagram on Monday, November 18.
“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,” she reminisced, posting a series of videos and photos of Teal in character as Noah Calhoun (Ryan Gosling’s character in the film).
Lenz, who hosts the Drama Queens podcast with OTH co-stars Sophia Bush and Hilarie Burton, also discussed her time working with Teal on the set of the 2000s WB fan-favorite series.
James Lafferty, Sophia Bush, Chad Michael Murray, Bethany Joy Lenz, Hilarie Burton and Tyler Hilton of “One Tree Hill.” Their co-star, Paul Teal, died on Friday, November 15.
Gregory Pace/FilmMagic)/Getty Images
“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,” she added. “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.”
Still, Lenz wishes she stayed in touch with Teal more often in recent years.
“I wish I’d called all those times I meant to but got distracted,” the actress mourned. “Life is short. I keep thinking that this week. Life is short.”
“He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted,” Lenz wrote, before comparing Teal to a “summer romance,” the way The Notebook author Nicholas Sparks describes it in the book: “Summer romances … have one thing in common- they are shooting stars. A spectacular flash of light in the heavens. A glimpse of eternity. And in a flash… they’re gone.”
“I’ll miss you, Paul,” she concluded. “Thank you for sharing your light with us.”
Related News :