Tyler Christopher obit

General Hospital Actor Tyler Christopher Dead at 50: 'A Sweet Soul and Wonderful Friend'

Christopher was known for his roles on 'General Hospital' and 'Days of Our Lives', which earned him multiple Daytime Emmy nominations over the course of his career

 He was not on the list.

Tyler Christopher, best known for his Emmy-winning role General Hospital, has died. He was 50.

Christopher's former GH costar Maurice Benard confirmed the actor's death on Instagram.

"It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher," he wrote. "Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment."

Benard continued, "Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him."

Benard also noted that "Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father."

General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini told PEOPLE in a statement: “I am heartbroken over the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was kind, an incredible actor, and dear friend, who was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine."

Valentini added, "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

 Paying Tribute to the Celebrities Who Have Died in 2023

Christopher portrayed Nikolas Cassadine on the legendary medical soap opera from 1996 to 2016. He also had an Emmy-nominated turn as Stefan DiMera on Days of Our Lives from 2018 to 2019.

In 2008, Christopher married former ESPN reporter Brienne Pedigo and reportedly divorced in 2021. The former couple share two children: Greysun James Christopher and Boheme Christopher. He was also previously married to Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

Back in July, the actor, who was placed under the guardianship of his sister Susan Asmo Baker since 2019, spoke out about regaining control of his life in an interview with Bloomberg.

“I never thought in a million years that I would be taken advantage of by a family member,” he said.

Shortly after the article was published, Christopher captioned photo of himself on Instagram, writing, “Sharing is part of the healing process.”

Christopher was first placed under his sister's guardianship during a bout of alcohol withdrawal. He fell, hit his head and underwent life-saving surgery after internal bleeding. While Christopher was hospitalized, his sister filed for guardianship.

In a previous court filing, Christopher alleged that Asmo Baker used up to $40,000 of finances that should have been for his guardianship to pay off her own credit cards and buy her son a laptop, among other things. Asmo Baker denied the allegations.

Back in May, Christopher was arrested at the Hollywood Burbank Airport for public intoxication. He was released on $250 bail. It wasn’t his first public intoxication arrest, as Christopher was first arrested for a similar incident in 2019 when he fell asleep in the back of an Uber. He pled guilty, and a judge denied a request by law enforcement that Christopher be sentenced to an alcohol treatment program.

Filmography

 

 

Year     Film            Role            Notes

1996–2016            General Hospital            Nikolas Cassadine

Connor Bishop

July 15, 1996 – 1999, April 21, 2003 – July 30, 2011, March 22, 2013 to June 16, 2016

October 26, 2004–January 25, 2005

1999    Catfish in Black Bean Sauce   Michael           

2000    Face the Music            Dan     

The Pretender            Ethan            2 episodes: "The Inner Sense" (part 1 & 2)

Charmed            Anton            1 episode

Angel   Bret Folger  1 episode

Family Law            Neil Lumston            1 episode

2001    The Pretender 2001            Ethan   

Days of Our Lives    Signore Christofero            1 episode

Felicity            Clubgoer         1 episode

Out of the Black   Cole Malby 

Sam's Circus            Sgt. Samuel Van Handle

Special Unit 2            Det. David Scott            1 episode

2002            Frogmen Operation Stormbringer            Captain Rick Jeffries     

The Division            Seaman Stan Bellows            1 episode

JAG     GSGT Joe Akers            1 episode

Boomtown            Holden McKay            1 episode

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation            Billy Rattison            1 episode

The Twilight Zone    Dr. Jay Ferguson            Episode: "One Night at Mercy"

2003            Crossing Jordan            Officer Fisher   1 episode

2005    Into the West    Jacob Wheeler Jr.            unknown episodes

2006    Secrets of a Small Town   Grant Wilson  Unaired television pilot

2009    Raven            Vlad    

The New York City Kitties            Alexandar Vander Platt/Handsome Devil   

2011–2013            The Lying Game            Dan Whitehorse            Recurring role, 27 episodes

2017–2019            Days of Our Lives            Stefan DiMera            Series regular