'One Tree Hill' Stars Share Poignant Tributes After Costar's Heartbreaking Death At Age 35

Two stars from the WB drama series One Tree Hill penned tributes to late costar Paul Teal, who died of cancer on November 15.

Teal, who was known for his recurring character Josh Avery during the seventh season of OTH, was found to have a neuroendocrine tumor in his pancreas in April 2024.

He succumbed to his illness at a hospital in Raleigh, North Carolina at 35 years of age.

Teal's fiancée, Emilia Torello, announced news of his passing on Instagram, writing: 

“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024."

“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 additionally said in her post:

"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."

People were devastated by the news.

@emiliatorello/Instagram

@emiliatorello/Instagram

@emiliatorello/Instagram

@emiliatorello/Instagram

Teal's OTH costar Bethany Joy Lenz wrote a poignant post following news of her friend's death.

"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 said she first met Teal while working on a musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks' romantic novel The Notebook.

"I worked closely with Paul for months when he played Noah in my and @ronaniello musical production of The Notebook in 2006," wrote the actor, referring to an earlier version of the musical production she co-wrote with record producer and songwriter, Ron Aniello.

She recalled of working with Teal:

"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."

She continued:

"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."

Lenz's post included a video montage from the staged "little black box production" of the show featuring Teal as Noah Calhoun singing his big solo, "Sunday Train."

"Now at 35, he’s taken another train. He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted," wrote Lenz, adding: 

"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."

She included the author's quote from The Notebook, a novel about a decades-long love and the physical degeneration that fails to separate them.

The quote Lenz selected read:

“Summer romances end for all kinds of reasons. When all is said and done, they have one thing in common- they are shooting stars. A spectacular flash of light in the heavens. A glimpse of eternity. And in a flash… they’re gone.”

"I’ll miss you, Paul. Thank you for sharing your light with us," she concluded.

Fans expressed their condolences.

@msbethanyjoylenz/Instagram

@msbethanyjoylenz/Instagram

@msbethanyjoylenz/Instagram

@msbethanyjoylenz/Instagram

Sophia Bush, who played Brooke Davis on OTH also penned a tribute after Teal's death.

"Incredibly sad to hear about the passing of Paul Teal," she wrote and included a link to an article of the tragic news.

She added:

"We've just started watching his #OTH episodes on Drama Queens and he was such a joy to work with ..."

Users sent love and light in remembrance of the late actor.

Teal made his TV acting debut in OTH in the show's seventh season for seven episodes.

The graduate of the William Esper Studio continued appearing in minor and recurring roles in various productions, including Dynasty, Fear Street Part Two: 1978, Outer Banks, and The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Deep Water.

His last appearances were in the Disney Channel's musical fantasy series Descendants: The Rise of Red, and the drama film Lilly.

Teal will be posthumously featured in the upcoming Starz drama series The Hunting Wives, to be released in 2025.