‘One Tree Hill’ cast mourns loss of Paul Teal, dead at 35. ‘My heart is heavy’

“One Tree Hill” actor Paul Teal died on Nov. 15 after a “health battle,” according to his fiancée, Emilia Torello.

Teal was just 35 years old.

“Paul, you were my soulmate, my soon-to-be-husband, my rock, and my future,” Torello wrote in an emotional Nov. 17 Instagram post.

“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.

Paul and Torello went public with their relationship in 2022, according to E! News.

The couple enjoyed a three-part weekend adventure in July and August to celebrate Teal’s 35th birthday, which included batting cages and “living in the trees.”

“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,” Torello continued in her Instagram 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,” she concluded.

Paul Teal was best known for his role as movie star Josh in the WB teen drama “One Tree Hill” in 2010. He appeared in seven episodes throughout the seventh season, according to IMDB.

Many of his former co-stars have taken to social media to pay tribute and share memories, including former “One Tree Hill” costar Bethany Joy Lenz.

“My heart is heavy,” Lenz wrote in her tribute. “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.”

Alongside the caption was a video with photos of her and Teal working together in a musical production of “The Notebook” in 2006, in which she was the director.

Teal played the iconic Noah Calhoun in the production.

Lenz also shared audio of Teal singing “Sunday Train,” which was his big solo.

“Now at 35, he’s taken another train. He was too young to die. Far too young. I’m gutted,” she wrote in the caption.

She goes on to describe him as shy, funny, and “so comfortable on stage,” as if it was his second skin.

“You couldn’t take your eyes off him,” she added, revealing that she later got to cast his character in “One Tree Hill.”

“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,” she continued.

Although they stayed in touch on and off through the years, she wishes they had talked more.

“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,” she said.

Aside from his time on “One Tree Hill,” Teal also appeared in two episodes of “Outer Banks” in 2021 and played Deputy Clark in “Deep Water” in 2022, among a host of other small roles.