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Hallmark star Bethany Joy Lenz is mourning the loss of a friend and former co-star. Find out what Lenz said about Paul Teal, who guest-starred in One Tree Hill.

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Teal, who played Josh in season seven of One Tree Hilldied on November 15 after a battle with cancer. He was 35. His partner, Emilia Torello, shared the devastating news on Instagram. “The most thoughtful, inspiring, driven, self-disciplined and loving man passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024,” Torello wrote. “Paul, you were my soulmate, my husband-to-be, 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, “Even though a part of me died with you, I promise that I will fight to find joy in life just as hard as you fought to live every day. The world is lucky to have even had a moment with Paul Teal, and I’m the luckiest person in that because I get to call you mine. I will love you forever.”

In a November 17 Instagram post, Lenz expressed her sadness over the loss of her friend. “My heart is heavy. Paul Teal was the kind of man who lit up a room without trying,” she wrote. His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be around him.

Lenz and Teal first met when she was putting on a stage production The notebook in 2006. “I worked closely with Paul for months as he played Noah in my and @ronaniello musical production of The notebook in 2006. He was shy and funny and so comfortable on stage,” she explained. “Wow. Like his second skin. You couldn’t take your eyes off him.”

She continued, “Later, I was giddy to direct an episode of it One Tree Hill where I would get to cast a new recurring character, Josh – the sleazy movie star. With his self-effacing sense of humor and willingness to fully immerse himself in each character, Paul was perfect for the role. It was a pleasure to work with him in any setting and he was so generous.”

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Lenz admitted, “We stayed in touch off and on. I wish it had been more. I wish I had called all the times I wanted to but got distracted. Life is short. I keep thinking that this week. Life is short.”

She added: ‘He was too young to die. Way 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… I will miss you, Paul. Thank you for sharing your light with us.”

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Teal played the role of Josh in seven episodes of One Tree Hill – the character was in a relationship with Jana Kramer’s character, Alex, before he came out as gay. He also had a role in it Deep watera 2022 film starring Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas, and was featured in two episodes of Outdoor benches.

The Opera House Theater Company in Wilmington, North Carolina also paid tribute to Teal, writing in a Facebook post: “We are deeply saddened to share that one of our own, Paul Teal, passed away on Friday, November 15, 2024 after a courageous event. battle with cancer. The lights are a little dimmer this week because one of our brightest stars is gone. A Wilmington native, Paul graced countless local stages with his imaginative performances and dazzling talent, leaving an indelible mark on the theater community.

The theater company added: “Known to many as ‘JoJo,’ he was loved not only for his artistry, but also for his warmth and kindness. His legacy will live on in the hearts of his loved ones and in the countless stories he brought to life, both on stage, on screen and in our lives. He was not only a great talent within our acting family, but also a very dear friend.”

For more from Hallmark, check out our gallery below of the adorable Hallmark couples who found love on-screen and off-screen.