One Tree Hill Actor Paul Teal's Cause of Death Revealed

And in the time since his passing, many of Paul’s former costars have shared their grief over his passing—including many One Tree Hill alums, who worked with the late actor during his time on the series in season seven.

As Jana Kramer, whose character had a brief romance with Paul’s, wrote, “Sending love and prayers to @paulteal family and friends. I had the absolute pleasure working with him on season 7 of OTH. He was always so kind and was so fun to work alongside.”

Similarly, Sophia Bush wrote on her Instagram Story that Paul was “such a talent.”

But it was Bethany Joy Lenz who shared the longest friendship with Paul, dating back to an onstage production of The Notebook in 2006—four years before she’d go on to cast and direct him in One Tree Hill.

“He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage,” Bethany wrote in her Nov. 17 post, which also expressed her regret for losing touch with Paul. “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.”

She added of the late actor, whose character would come out as gay in his seven-episode stint, “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.”

It’s a sentiment shared by Emilia, who spoke to the legacy her late partner was leaving behind.

“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,” she wrote in her Nov. 17 post. “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.”

For a look at some of the sweetest moments Emilia and Paul were able to share, keep reading.