Paul Teal’s ‘One Tree Hill’ costar Bethany Joy Lenz mourns actors death at 35

Paul Teal, One Tree Hill alum 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 broke the news through an Instagram post on Sunday, November 17. 

“Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future.”

Although exact details about the cause of Teal’s death were not shared, Torello did share that the actor was facing 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.”

Torello’s tribute post featured a black and white photo of herself beside Teal, as the actor smiled at the camera while receiving a kiss on the cheek from her.

“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 wrote. “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, who was mostly famous for his role on One Tree Hill as Josh, playing the character for seven episodes in 2010, also received a tribute co-star Bethany Joy Lenz.

Lenz knew the actor before their 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 on Instagram on Sunday.

“His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him,” she wrote in the caption.

“He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him,” Lenz added.

“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 humour 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.”

The actress continued that although she and Teal have kept “in touch on and off” and she now wishes they should have been connected “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.”