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One Tree Hill's Paul Teal Dead at 35: Bethany Joy Lenz Pays Tribute
More members of the One Tree Hill family are sharing their grief over Paul Teal’s death.
After Paul’s partner Emilia Torello confirmed Nov. 18 that the 35-year-old had died following a health battle, tributes to the late actor—who had a seven-episode run as a movie star named Josh in the show’s seventh season—began to pour in.
“Sending love and prayers to @paulteal family and friends,” Jana Kramer, who played Paul’s onscreen girlfriend Alex during his appearance on the CW show, wrote in a Nov. 18 Instagram Story. “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.”
The Whine Down podcast host also called on the One Tree Hill family to step up during this difficult time, adding, “Wrap his family and friends in prayers please.”
Fellow alum Sophia Bush—who hosts the One Tree Hill rewatch podcast Drama Queens with former costars Hilarie Burton Morgan and Bethany Joy Lenz—also shared her condolences to social media.
“Incredibly saddened to hear about the passing of Paul Teal,” Sophia wrote in the Nov. 18 Instagram Story. “We are just starting to watch his OTH episodes on @dramaqueensoth and he’s such a talent.”
For her part, Bethany—who shared she met Paul in 2006 during a stage production of The Notebook—paid tribute to her friend as well, remembering the work they did together when she directed an episode of the series.
Jana Kramer / Instagram
“Paul Teal was the kind of guy who lit up a room without trying,” she wrote in a Nov. 17 Instagram post. “His bright smile, infectious laugh and kind heart made you want to be near him.”
“He was shy and funny and so so comfortable on stage,” she continued. “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.”
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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