Soap Opera Star Tyler Christopher Dies at 50

Tyler Christopher, best known for his roles on “General Hospital” and “Days of Our Lives”, passed away on Tuesday morning at his San Diego apartment. He was 50 years old.

A Successful Career Cut Short

Christopher was born on November 11, 1972, in Joliet, Illinois. He began his acting career in 1996 when he joined the cast of “General Hospital” as Nikolas Cassadine, a role he played for 20 years. He won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 2016 and was nominated four more times.

He also appeared on “Days of Our Lives” as Stefan DiMera from 2017 to 2019, earning another Daytime Emmy nomination in 2018. He had guest roles on several other shows, such as “The Twilight Zone”, “CSI”, “Charmed”, and “Angel”. He also starred in some TV movies and films, such as “Ice Storm”, “Shouting Secrets”, and “Beyond the Lights”.

A Struggle with Addiction and Mental Health

Christopher was open about his battle with addiction and bipolar depression. He had several run-ins with the law, including a DUI arrest in 2017 and a public intoxication arrest in 2020. He also faced financial and marital troubles, as he filed for bankruptcy in 2019 and divorced his second wife Brienne Pedigo in 2021.

He shared his struggles on social media and sought help from rehab facilities and support groups. He also expressed his gratitude to his fans and friends for their love and encouragement. In his last Instagram post on October 18, he said he had the time of his life at a friend’s wedding.

A Shocking and Sad Loss

Christopher’s death was confirmed by his representative Chi Muoi Lo, who said he died of a cardiac event. His former co-stars and colleagues paid tribute to him on social media, remembering him as a talented, sweet, and wonderful person.

His ex-wife Eva Longoria, who was married to him from 2002 to 2004, posted a photo of them together on Instagram, writing, “Rest in peace my sweet Tyler. You were such a great husband and friend to me. My heart breaks for your family and loved ones.”

His “General Hospital” co-star Maurice Benard, who played his uncle Sonny Corinthos on the show, wrote, “Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. He was a brave soul who wanted to help others by sharing his story.”

His “Days of Our Lives” co-star Marci Miller, who played his wife Abigail Deveraux on the show, wrote, “Tyler was one of the kindest, most generous, and most fun people I have ever worked with. He always made me laugh and feel comfortable on set. He was a joy to be around.”

Christopher is survived by his two children, Greysun James Christopher and Boheme Christopher, whom he shared with Pedigo.