PAUL Deal from One Tree Hill has died at the age of 35, with his devastated partner paying tribute to her “soon-to-be husband”.
The actor, who starred as Josh in the hit series, had been battling health issues, his fiancee Emilia Torello confirmed.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Emilia wrote: “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.
“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.”
Paul’s co-star Bethany Joy Lenz, who played Hayley James Scott on the show, also paid tribute.
She wrote: “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.
“I worked closely with Paul for months when he played Noah in my and @ronaniello musical production of The Notebook in 2006.
“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.
“Here is a video of the few photos I have on my hard drive of Paul as the iconic Noah Calhoun in our little black box production. And the song is ‘Sunday Train’, Noah’s big solo, which we recorded that year with Paul singing.
“Now at 35, he’s taken another train. He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted.
“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 went on to quote a passage from Nicholas Sparks’ novel The Notebook, which reads: “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.”
Ending her message, she typed: “I’ll miss you, Paul. Thank you for sharing your light with us.”
Paul grew up in Wilmington, North Caroline, where One Tree Hill was filmed.
At 12, he began appearing in stage productions, before getting his first acting credit on the show.
In it, he played Josh as he dated Alex Dupre, played by Jana Kramer, before coming out as gay.
He then went on to star in Outer Banks in 2021 and the 2022 film Deep Water, directed by Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas.
