Paul Teal obit

Paul Teal Dies: ‘One Tree Hill’ Actor Was 35; Co-Stars Bethany Joy Lenz & Sophia Bush Pay Tribute

 

He was not on the list.

Paul Teal, an actor with a recurring role on One Tree Hill, has died. He was 35.

Teal’s partner, Emilia Torello, shared a post on social media confirming the actor’s death, which happened on Friday, November 15.

“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away,” Torello posted on Instagram. “Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future. You filled my lungs with laughter, my stomach with butterflies, and my heart with love. You were taken too soon, in a battle that you fought bravely without fail.”

Torello 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.”

Teal played Josh on One Tree Hill for seven episodes. Co-star Sophia Bush remembered Teal on Instagram Stories writing, “Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Teal. We are just starting to watch his OTH episodes on Drama Queens [podcast] and he’s such a talent.”

Bethany Joy Lenz paid tribute to the late actor with a heartfelt Instagram post.

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

Lenz shared that she “worked closely with Paul” as he played Noah in a musical production of The Notebook in 2006, adding, “He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage. Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him. 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.”

“We stayed in touch on and off. I wish it had been more. I wish I’d called all those times I meant to but got distracted. Life is short. I keep thinking that this week. Life is short,” she added.

Aside from One Tree Hill, Teal had small roles on shows like Good Behavior (2016), Shots Fired (2017), Dynasty (2019), The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020), USS Christmas (2020), Outer Banks (2021), American Rust (2021), Deep Water (2022), The Staircase (2022), George & Tommy (2023), Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024), Lilly (2024).

Teal is also part of the cast of The Hunting Wives, where he is set to play Pastor Pete in the Starz series expected to premiere in 2025.

 

Actor

The Hunting Wives

Pastor Pete

Post-productionTV Series

2025

6 episodes

 

1st Memory

Cameron

Post-productionShort

 

Lilly (2024)

Lilly

Timothy Granger

2024

 

Brandy Norwood, Malia Baker, Morgan Dudley, Rita Ora, China Anne McClain, Ruby Rose Turner, Kylie Cantrall, and Dara Reneé in Descendants: The Rise of Red (2024)

Descendants: The Rise of Red

4.7

Aviator

2024

 

Michael Shannon and Jessica Chastain in George & Tammy (2022)

George & Tammy

7.5

TV Series

Back-Up Vocalist #1

2023

1 episode

 

Colin Firth and Toni Collette in The Staircase (2022)

The Staircase

7.1

TV Mini Series

Brad Wolgamott

2022

3 episodes

 

Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas in Deep Water (2022)

Deep Water

5.5

Deputy Clark

2022

 

Jeff Daniels and Maura Tierney in American Rust (2021)

American Rust

7.3

TV Series

Deputy #2

2021

1 episode

 

Madelyn Cline, Carlacia Grant, J.D., Madison Bailey, Drew Starkey, Chase Stokes, and Rudy Pankow in Outer Banks (2020)

Outer Banks

7.5

TV Series

Crewman

2021

2 episodes

 

Sadie Sink in Fear Street: Part Two - 1978 (2021)

Fear Street: Part Two - 1978

6.7

Young Officer Kapinski

2021

 

Barbara Niven, Trevor Donovan, and Jen Lilley in USS Christmas (2020)

USS Christmas

6.6

TV Movie

Dan

2020

 

The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020)

The Walking Dead: World Beyond

4.5

TV Series

Walter

2020

1 episode

 

Grant Show, Daniella Alonso, Robert Christopher Riley, Elizabeth Gillies, Rafael de la Fuente, and Sam Adegoke in Dynasty (2017)

Dynasty

7.2

TV Series

Male Reporter

2019

1 episode

 

Sanaa Lathan and Stephan James in Shots Fired (2017)

Shots Fired

6.7

TV Series

Male Moder Supporter

2017

1 episode

 

Juan Diego Botto and Michelle Dockery in Good Behavior (2016)

Good Behavior

8.0

TV Series

Steve

2016

1 episode

 

Kimmy Foskett, Luísa Fidalgo, and Liza Renzulli in Psychodrama (2013)

Psychodrama

TV Series

Friendly Choker

2013

1 episode

 

Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, Bethany Joy Lenz, Chad Michael Murray, and Hilarie Burton Morgan in One Tree Hill (2003)

One Tree Hill

7.8

TV Series

Josh

Actor Max

2010

7 episodes