‘One Tree Hill’ Star Paul Teal Dead at 35, Bethany Joy Lenz Pays Tribute

One Tree Hill alum Paul Teal has died at the age of 35.

“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024,” Teal’s partner Emilia Torello announced via Instagram on Sunday, November 17. “Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future.”

While Torello did not share any details about Teal’s cause of death, she shared that he was battling a health issue.

“You filled my lungs with laughter, my stomach with butterflies, and my heart with love,” she continued. “You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail.”

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Torello’s post included a black and white photo of her and Teal. The actor smiled at the camera as Torello gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“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 penned. “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.”

Paul Teal, Bethany Joy Lenz.

Teal was best known for his role on One Tree Hill as Josh. He appeared on the drama series for seven episodes in 2010. Costar Bethany Joy Lenz paid tribute to the actor who she knew well before her One Tree Hill days.

“My heart is heavy. Paul Teal was the kind of guy who lit up a room without trying,” Lenz, 43, wrote via Instagram on Sunday. “His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him.”

Lenz’s post included a video slideshow of her and Teal on stage together for a 2006 musical adaptation of The Notebook.

“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 gushed of working with Teal. “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.”

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Lenz added that after One Tree Hill she and Teal kept “in touch on and off” and she wished she would have reached out to him “more.”

“Now at 35, he’s taken another train. He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted,” she said. “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.”