TV star Paul Teal – who played the recurring character Josh on smash hit teen drama One Tree Hill – had battled a form of cancer before his tragic death was announced
One Tree Hill star Paul Teal endured a secret cancer battle before his shock death was announced.
On Monday, the actor’s partner, Emilia Torello, shared the sad news that he had passed away at the age of 35 in an emotional statement. Paul’s One Tree Hill co-star Bethany Joy Lenz, 43, was among the first to share a tribute to the actor, as she shared her shock over his sudden passing.
Hours after the news of his death made headlines around the world, details of Paul’s health battles emerged as it was revealed he had battled pancreatic cancer before his death. The actor had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer seven months earlier and passed away in a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina, last Friday.
Paul appeared in seven episodes of One Tree Hill in 2010 and went on to feature in other TV shows and movies including the reboot of Dynasty, and the Netflix series Outer Banks and film Fear Street. Work kept the actor focused amid his health battle, with his partner sharing how he bravely confronted his health issues.
TMZ reports Emilia telling them: “He was the most talented man I’ve ever met. When he set his mind to something, there was no stopping him. He was the most diligent and dedicated person. I truly believed with all of my heart that he would come out the other side of this because of those traits. That’s what makes this loss even more tragic.”
She added that Paul filmed a brand new series for Starz, “The Hunting Wives,” and she says he felt being around the cast and crew helped him keep the fight going. While the outlet also confirmed the star was diagnosed back in April with stage 4 neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer.
In a prior statement Emilia 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.”
Adding her tribute, Bethany – Haley James Scott on The WB / The CW television drama from 2003 until 2012 – wrote: “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.”
She went on to type: “[I] worked closely with Paul for months when he played Noah in my and [Ron Aniello’s] 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.” And after their One Tree Hill experience, Lenz said she and Teal “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.”
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