Tyler Christopher’s Daytime Family React to General Hospital Star’s Sudden Death at 50: ‘This Hits Hard’

The world of soap operas is paying tribute to one of its own.

Tyler Christopher, best known for his Emmy Award-winning role as Nikolas Cassadine General Hospital, died on Tuesday. The news was confirmed by his former colleague, Maurice Benard, on Instagram.

Benard said Christopher died “after a cardiac event at his apartment in San Diego” on Tuesday morning. He was 50 years old.

In the hours since the news was announced, tributes have poured in on social media from his former actors, TV partners and friends.

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Kelly Thiebaud, who played the love interest of one of Christopher’s characters General Hospitalshe said her “heart is breaking” as she begins to process the loss of her scene partner.

“I’ve been lucky enough to team up with some wonderful leading people General HospitalI, Tyler was one of them. I learned so much about soap work during that time together. He was a great stage partner and was always good to me,” she wrote on Instagram. “I remember being excited to work with such a legend on the show. Before you enter GHsometimes I’d watch the show and my favorite couple was Nikolas and Emily, so you can imagine how excited I was when we got together.”

“Tyler was so talented and he made you feel something when you watched him,” she added. “You will always remember Tyler. Rest in peace 🕊️.”

Tyler Christopher on “General Hospital” with Rebecca Herbst.

Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment via Getty Images

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Camila Banus, who starred opposite the late actor when he was on NBC Days of our lives — who he joined in 2017 and left in 2019 — shared her response to the loss in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE.

“When you work with a real artist, you feel it, I did with Tyler. He was a truly gifted and sweet man,” Banus said. “We will miss him dearly. Rest in peace Tyler Christopher.”

Another of his exes Days of our lives costars, Arianne Zucker, also addressed the news, telling PEOPLE exclusively, “He was always kind and kind to me. That’s how I’ll remember him.”

Zucker, 49, adds that she met the actor in 1996 when the two were “just a bunch of kids who dreamed of being actors.” It was signed later General Hospital“and the rest was history.”

From the 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

Passion star McKensize Westmore also recalled her fondest memories with the actor in a statement she shared exclusively with PEOPLE.

“When we did the 3 asylum movies, he was always so focused on doing a great job!” she said remembering. “I remember all of us as a cast having lunch and listening to him talk about his children and the love he had. I also remember being under the weather one day and getting an IV on set. Hating needles, he stayed in room as moral support. He was a thoughtful person.”

Steve Burton, who starred alongside Christopher General Hospitalhe described the actor as a “brother” as he recalled his longtime friend.

“This hits hard. Really hard. Sometimes I use the word ‘brother’ lightly. But when I called Tyler my brother, I meant it. . . there is a group of us. . . who did and would still do anything for each other,” Burton, 53, wrote on Instagram as he shared a collection of photos with Christopher over the years. “We lost one. A beautiful and talented soul. It hurts. Thank you for the memories bro Ty. I love you. See you in heaven. 🙏🏻🕊️.”

Burton’s comedian and colleague General Hospital star, Bradford Anderson, also shared a group photo with Christopher on his Stone Cold and Jackal Instagram account. “😢❤️We love you Ty,” they wrote.

Tyler Christopher in “General Hospital” in 2010.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Another of the actor’s former on-screen loves also came forward. Rebecca Budig, who starred opposite Christopher General Hospitalshe wrote on Instagram that she was “broken” after his death.

“Sweet Tyler. I only worked with him for a short time, but his kindness left a mark,” she said. “We talked a lot about his children, whom he loved very much. Prayers for them and his family. May he rest in peace.”

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Gilles Marini — who starred alongside Christopher Days of Our Lives — also paid tribute, writing on his Instagram Story, “I’m gonna miss you man.”

“He’ll always remember our conversations in the parking lot after work,” he continued. “Forever grateful.”

Marini, 47, also wrote a comment on the latest Instagram post shared by Christopher on October 3. “Fly with the angels my brother. I will always hold in my heart our conversations in the parking lot after throwing down on the set of @dayspeacock. Man, you adored your family so much. RIP Tyler 💔.”

Gilles Marini pays tribute to ‘Days of Our Lives’ co-star Tyler Christopher on Instagram.

Tyler Christopher/Instagram

Christopher’s television son also paid tribute. Nicholas Bechtel, who played Christopher’s on-screen son Spencer Cassadine on the hit medical soap from 2013 to 2020, said their “chemistry was second to none” and they were “the greatest Father/Son duo on Daytime TV.” .

“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 was referring to Christopher’s two children, Greysun and Boheme, whom the actor shared with ex-wife Brienne Pedigo. “My heart goes out to Greysun, Bo and all the people who loved you. Rest in eternal peace. 🤍🕊️.”

Alicia Leigh Willis, who played another of Christopher’s love interests General Hospitalalso shared her reaction to her former co-star’s death, writing on Instagram: “The world isn’t as bright without you in it. It’s hard to believe you’re really gone.”

She added: “You were loved by so many.”

Willis’ best friend on screen, Laura Wright, also got involved. “Thank you for the memories Tyler – rest my friend ❤️🙏🏻💔.”

Sarah Joy Brown, who appeared on the daytime show alongside the actor from 1996 to 2001, wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that he was “a pleasure to work with” and that “his smile and sense of humor lit up the stage . ”

“I enjoy every minute of our time together,” she continued. “RIP old friend 💔.”

Kin Shriner also shared his thoughts on his former colleague’s death, calling him a “great talent” and the loss “so sad” in a post on Twitter.

Tyler Christopher as Nikolas Cassadine on “General Hospital”.

Rick Rowell/Disney General entertainment content via Getty

In Bernard’s first post announcing the death of his co-star, he described Christopher as “a sweet soul and a wonderful friend.”

“Tyler was a truly talented individual who lit up the screen in every scene he performed and enjoyed bringing joy to his loyal fans with his acting,” wrote Bernard, 60.

He added: “Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and addiction treatment who spoke openly about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcoholism. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father.”

Before his death, the actor had struggled with alcohol in recent years. He has been arrested numerous times for public drunkenness and was placed in the custody of his sister – an arrangement he claimed to Bloomberg that he was “exploited”.

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The wider General Hospital The team also reacted to the tragic news. Executive producer Frank Valentini told PEOPLE in a statement, “I am heartbroken by the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was a kind, amazing actor and dear friend, loved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine.”

Valentini added, “On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our deepest sympathies to his loved ones at this difficult time.”

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Source: HIS Education