Paul Teal, the actor best known for his role on the CW’s One Tree Hill, has passed away at the age of 35 after a courageous battle with cancer, according to a statement from his agent, Susan Tolar Walters.
In her statement, Walters described Teal as having an extraordinary talent and a kind, gentle spirit, leaving an unforgettable impact on those who knew him. “The loss we feel in our hearts is immeasurable,” she wrote.
Teal’s fiancée, Emilia Torello, also shared the heartbreaking news on her Instagram, expressing her grief and admiration for the way Teal fought so valiantly against the illness. “You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail,” she wrote. “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.”
Torello also expressed her profound love for him, saying, “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 was widely recognized for his role in One Tree Hill during the show’s seventh season in 2010. He also appeared in the 2022 psychological thriller Deep Water, starring Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas.
Bethany Joy Lenz, a co-star from One Tree Hill, remembered Paul Teal as the kind of person who “lit up a room without trying,” sharing her tribute on Instagram.
Lenz recalled first meeting Teal in 2006 while working on the musical production of The Notebook, where Teal played the lead role of Noah Calhoun. The two reconnected years later on the set of One Tree Hill in 2010. Reflecting on their time together, Lenz described Teal as having a self-deprecating sense of humor and an ability to fully immerse himself in every role. “He was perfect for any part he took on,” she wrote. “A joy to work with and incredibly generous.”
She added, “He was far 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—even if only for a season. Bursting, exciting, deeply moving, and unforgettable.”
Teal’s acting career spanned several TV series, including Good Behavior, Outer Banks, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. He also had roles in this year’s Descendants: The Rise of the Red and Lilly.
Before his passing, Teal had filmed a role in the upcoming Starz thriller The Hunting Wives, where he will appear alongside Dermot Mulroney, Malin Akerman, and Brittany Snow. The show is set to debut next year.