Tyler Christopher in 2018.Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage
The soap opera world is paying their respects to one of their own.
Benardsharedthat Christopher died “following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment” on Tuesday morning. He was 50.
Kelly Thiebaud, who played one of Christopher’s character’s love interests onGeneral Hospital, said her “heart breaks” as she begins to process the loss of her scene partner.
“I was lucky enough to get partnered up with some wonderful leading men onGeneral Hospital, Tyler was one of them. I learned so much about working on a Soap during that time together. He was a great scene partner and was always kind to me,” she wrote onInstagram. “I remember feeling anxiously excited to get to work with such a legend on the show. Before getting onGH, I would sometimes watch the show and my favorite couple was Nikolas and Emily, so you can imagine how excited I was when we got paired up.”
“Tyler was so talented and made you feel something when you watched him,” she added. “You will always be remembered Tyler. Rest in peace 🕊️.”
Tyler Christopher on “General Hospital” with Rebecca Herbst.Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images
Camila Banus, who starred alongside the late actor during his time on NBC’sDays of Our Lives— which he joined in 2017 and departed in 2019 — shared her response to the loss in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE.
“When you work with a true artist you feel it, I did with Tyler. He was truly a gifted and kind man,” Banus said. “He will be dearly missed. Rest in peace Tyler Christopher.”
Another one of his formerDays of Our Livescostars,Arianne Zucker, also reflected on the news, telling PEOPLE exclusively: “He was always kindhearted and gracious to me. That’s how I will remember him.”
Zucker, 49, adds that she met the actor in 1996 when the pair were “just a bunch of kids dreaming of becoming working actors.” He was later signed toGeneral Hospital, “and the rest was history.”
From left; Tyler Christopher, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton and Kelly Thiebaud.Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage; Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty Images; Stewart Cook/CBS via Getty Images
Matt Winkelmeyer/WireImage; Kevin Winter/Getty Images; Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty Images; Stewart Cook/CBS via Getty Images
Passionsstar, McKensize Westmore, also recalled her fondest memories with the actor with in a statement shared exclusively with PEOPLE.
“When we filmed the 3 Asylum movies, he was always so focused on doing a great job!” she said, reminiscing. “I remember all of us as a cast having lunch and hearing him talk about his kids and the love he had. I also remember I was under the weather one day and got an IV on set. Hating needles he stayed in the room as moral support. He was a thoughtful person.”
“I worked with Tyler on a series last year,” he exclusively told PEOPLE. “It was my first series regular. I was nervous because I was going to be working with so many legends, including Tyler but he and everyone was so kind and helpful. It was amazing to hear stories about his time onGeneral HospitalandDays of our Lives. He was truly a hardworking actor. He will be missed.”
Steve Burton, who starred alongside Christopher onGeneral Hospital,describedthe actor as a “brother” as he remembered his longtime friend.
“This hits hard. Really hard. Sometimes I use the word ‘brother’ loosely. But when I called Tyler my brother, I meant it . . . there’s a group of us . . . that have done and still would do anything for each other,” Burton, 53, wrote on Instagram as he shared a collection of photos with Christopher from over the years. “We lost one. A beautiful and talented soul at that. It hurts. Thank you for the memories brother Ty. Love you. See you in Heaven. 🙏🏻🕊️.”
Burton’s comedic partner and fellowGeneral Hospitalstar, Bradford Anderson,shareda group photo with Christopher on their Stone Cold and the Jackal Instagram account, too. “😢❤️We love you Ty,” they wrote.
Tyler Christopher on “General Hospital” in 2010.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty
Another one of the actor’s former onscreen love interests chimed in, too. Rebecca Budig, who starred alongside Christopher onGeneral Hospital,wroteon Instagram that she’d been “gut punched” in the wake of his death.
“Sweet Tyler. I only worked with him briefly but his kindness left its mark,” she said. “We had many talks about his kids whom he loved so dearly. Praying for them and his family. May he rest in peace.”
Gilles Marini — who starred alongside Christopher onDays of Our Lives —also paid his respects, writing on his Instagram Story, “You’ll be missed my man.”
“Will always remember our talks on the parking lot after work,” he continued. “Forever thankful.”
Marini, 47, also wrote a comment on the final InstagrampostChristopher shared on Oct. 3. “Fly with the angels my brother. I will always have in my heart our conversations in the parking lot after throwing down on set of @dayspeacock. Man, you adored your family so much. RIP Tyler 💔.”
Gilles Marini shares tribute to ‘Days of Our Lives’ costar Tyler Christopher on Instagram.Tyler Christopher/Instagram
Tyler Christopher/Instagram
“Working with you for so many years was a pleasure and a blessing. You were so talented, quick-witted, and never too serious,” Bechtel wrote, adding that he’s thinking of Christopher’stwo children, Greysun and Boheme, who the actor shared with ex-wife Brienne Pedigo. “My heart is with Greysun, Bo, and all of the people who loved you. Rest In Eternal Peace. 🤍🕊️.”
Mary Beth Evans, who played Katherine onGeneral Hospital, also paid tribute to the late actor in a post shared to Instagram.
“Tyler. I am heartbroken,” she captioned a clip of the two acting onGH. “I first met Tyler Christopher when he was in his 20s and joinedGeneral Hospital. He was always the sweetest guy … kind and thoughtful. And what an actor! Years later, I was so honored to share our Emmy night! And when he came toDays of Our Lives, I was so excited because he was so good and I knew the show would love him. My heart aches for Tyler’s beautiful children, family and loved ones. I know he fought the good fight and hope that he can now rest in peace.”
Another one of Christopher’sGHformer cast members, Nancy Lee Grahn, shared her favorite scene with the actor in a post to Instagram.
“Life can sometimes prove hardest for the sweetest & tenderest souls. I hope Greysun & Boheme can 1 day find these posts online to see how truly cherished their dad was,” she wrote alongside the video.
Alicia Leigh Willis, who played another one of Christopher’s love interests onGeneral Hospital, also shared her reaction to her former costar’s death,writingon Instagram, “The world is not as bright without you in it. It’s hard to believe you are really gone.”
Willis' onscreen best friend, Laura Wright,chimedin, too. “Thank you for the memories Tyler- rest easy my friend ❤️🙏🏻💔.”
Sarah Joy Brown, who appeared in the daytime show alongside the actor from 1996 to 2001, wrote in aposton X (formerly Twitter) that he was “a joy to work with” and “his smile & sense of humor lit up the stage.”
“I enjoy every minute of our time together,” she continued. “R.I.P old friend 💔.”
Kin Shriner also shared his thoughts on his former costar’s death, calling him a “huge talent” and the loss “so sad” in aposton Twitter.
Tyler Christopher.Maarten de Boer/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Maarten de Boer/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Tori Griffith, an actress who worked with Christopher in a series tentatively titledCrisis Earth, opened up about the heart-to-heart conversation she had with the actors about his trials in life.
“I worked with Tyler in the Spring/Summer of 2022 on the seriesCrisis Earth(working title). He was such a joy to work with and his dedication to his craft was undeniable,” she wrote in a statement to PEOPLE. “Over the course of filming, I got the chance to hear many of Tyler’s stories about moving to Los Angeles and the early days of his career. He shared with me about his struggles to get back on his feet after his brain injury and how he dealt with betrayal and homelessness. He would always talk about his kids and how much he loved them and enjoyed visiting them whenever he would get the chance.
She continued, “Tyler was a very loving, resilient man and exceptionally talented actor. The film and television industry has lost a wonderful talent and the world has lost a wonderful man. I am so lucky to have gotten to work with him and know him as I did.”
Tyler Christopher as Nikolas Cassadine on “General Hospital.".Rick Rowell/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Rick Rowell/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
In Bernard’s initial post announcing the death of his castmate, he described Christopher as “a sweet soul and wonderful friend.”
“Tyler was a truly talented individual that lit up the screen in every scene he performed and relished bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting,” Bernard, 60, wrote.
Prior to his death, the actor had struggled in recent years with alcohol. He wasarrestednumerous times forpublic intoxication, and wasplaced under the guardianship of his sister— an arrangement in which he claimed toBloomberghe was being “taken advantage of.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Valentini added, “On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”
source: people.com
