One Tree Hill's Paul Teal Dead at 35: Bethany Joy Lenz Pays Tribute
One Tree Hill's Paul Teal Dead at 35: Bethany Joy Lenz Pays Tribute
The One Tree Hill cast is mourning the loss of one of their own.
Paul Teal, who played movie star Josh in season seven of the WB series, died Nov. 15 after a health battle, his partner Emilia Torello confirmed on Instagram Nov. 17. He was 35.
“The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined, loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024,” Emilia wrote in her social media post. “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.”
She continued that amid her grief, she will honor his memory.
“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,” Emilia added. “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.”
Bethany Joy Lenz—who starred with Paul alongside Sophia Bush, James Lafferty, Jana Kramer and more in the drama—also expressed her sympathies toward his passing on social media.
"My heart is heavy,” Bethany wrote in a Nov. 17 Instagram post. “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.”
The 43-year-old—who noted how she first met Paul while putting on a stage production of The Notebook in 2006—reflected on working with the actor, even directing him in a 2010 episode of One Tree Hill.
Emilia Torello/Instagram
“He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage,” she explained. “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.”
Bethany emphasized, “With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to dive fully into any character, Paul was perfect for the part.”
During his career, Paul completed a seven-episode run on One Tree Hill, where his character dated Jana’s character Alex before coming out as gay.
He also appeared in Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas’ 2022 film Deep Water, two episodes of Outer Banks in 2021 and nabbed many other smaller roles.
“Paul, your time here was like a summer romance for all of us who knew you,” Bethany—who also expressed regret for not staying in touch with the actor—added in her post, “especially if only for a season. Bursting, exciting, deeply moving, and unforgettable.”
Keep reading for a look at Paul's sweetest moments with his partner Emilia...
Instagram/Emilia Torello
A Beautiful Beginning
Emilia Torello debuted her relationship with Paul Teal in 2022, writing under a picture of their Halloween costumes, "You're the cutest jailbird I ever did see."
Instagram/Emilia Torello
A Picture-Perfect Moment
Over the years, Emilia chronicled her travels around the world with Paul, including a November 2023 trip to Paris.
Instagram/Emilia Torello
In the City of Love
Emilia wrote of the trip, "Nearly 200,000 steps and 20 cappuccinos later…"
Instagram/Emilia Torello
Nothing But Smiles
The couple celebrated the Christmas season with coordinating oufits and a warm beverage.
Instagram/Emilia Torello
It's Fantastic
The One Tree Hill alum and Emilia commemorated the release of Barbie with a sweet date night in the summer of 2023.
Instagram/Emilia Torello
A Home Run
Emilia gave a look inside her and Paul's July celebration for his 35th birthday in an adorable three-part Instagram series—part one of which included a trip to the batting cages.
Instagram/Emilia Torello
Love in the Great Outdoors
Part two of Paul's 35th birthday celebration involved an August getaway in the woods.
Instagram/Emilia Torello
Better Together
Emilia called the vacation, as she captioned her third birthday tribute to Paul, "Our weekend living in the trees."
Instagram/Emilia Torello
A Heartbreaking Goodbye
On Nov. 17, Emiliar shared the tragic news that Paul had passed away.
"Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future," she wrote. "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."
She continued, "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."
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