Paul Teal’s Partner Emilia Torello Shares He Died of Pancreatic Cancer

Paul Teal and Emilia Torello

Paul Teal’s partner, Emilia Torello, opened up about the health battles the One Tree Hill alum faced prior to his death at age 35.

Torello told TMZ on Monday, November 18, that Teal died seven months after being diagnosed with stage IV neuroendocrine pancreatic cancer. She told the outlet that Teal died on Friday, November 15, in a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“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,” she said. “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.”

Amid his cancer battle, Torello said Teal was motivated by filming his new Starz series, The Hunting Wives. (The show, which includes cast members Dermot Mulroney and Brittany Snow, is expected to premiere in 2025.)

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Torello paid tribute to Teal in a sweet Instagram post on Sunday, November 17. “The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024,” she wrote. “Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future.”

Torello hinted that Teal was struggling with 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.”

She continued, “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.”

Alongside the emotional message, Torello posted a black-and-white photo of her kissing Teal on the cheek while he smiled at the camera.

Following the news of his death, Teal’s former costar Bethany Joy Lenz honored his memory. (Teal appeared in seven episodes of One Tree Hill in 2010.)

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

Lenz included a video slideshow of her and Teal onstage 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 wrote. “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.”

Lenz said she and Teal kept “in touch on and off” through the years, but wishes 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 wrote. “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.”