Paul Teal , a TV and stage actor who appeared on shows including “One Tree Hill,” died Friday in Raleigh, N.C. He was 35.
Teal’s death was confirmed by a representative for the actor, with the cause of death revealed as cancer. Emilia Torello, Teal’s partner, shared with TMZ that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in April. The news was first broken by Torello after she shared more about the actor’s death online.
“You were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future,” Torello wrote in a post on Instagram . “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.
” Teal first appeared on television with his guest role as Josh on “One Tree Hill” for seven episodes. In the show, Josh pursues a romantic relationship with Alex, played by Jana Kramer, before he reveals he is gay. Bethany Joy Lenz , who starred alongside Teal and also directed him in “One Tree Hill,” shared her own tribute from the days they met in theater during a 2006 production of “The Notebook.
” “You couldn’t take your eyes off him,” Joy Lenz wrote in her Instagram post . “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 wa.