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Tyler Christopher dies aged 50: What was the ‘General Hospital’ actor’s cause of death?
Christopher was best known for starring in ABC soap opera ‘General Hospital’ and later appeared in ‘Days of Our Lives’ on NBC.
Tyler Christopher, best known for starring as both Nikolas Cassadine in the ABC soap opera General Hospital, has died at the age of 50 following a “cardiac event”, it has been revealed.
Chi Muoi Lo, a representative for the actor, real name Tyler Christopher Baker, confirmed the news in an emotional statement to a number of news outlets, saying: “I can confirm that Tyler Christopher has passed away this morning. This news was incredibly shocking, and I am devastated by his loss. He was a very gifted actor, and more importantly, an amazing friend. My heart goes out to his friends and family who loved him so much.”
Actor found dead at San Diego home
Lo didn’t initially disclose what had happened to Christopher but it later came to light that an unidentified friend of the actor had found him dead at his home in San Diego after he had failed to hear from him. According to police, the actor, who also starred in Days of Our Lives, had been deceased for some time before a 911 call was made on Tuesday morning, a source told TMZ.
GH co-star Maurice Benard reveals “cardiac event”
Christopher’s General Hospital co-star Maurice Benard paid tribute to his “wonderful friend” on Instagram and revealed the Illinois native had suffered a “cardiac event” which had led to his death. He also touched upon Christopher’s “struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol”, as well as him being “an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment”.
Christopher’s Daytime Emmy for Cassadine portrayal
The actor appeared in over 1,100 episodes of General Hospital between 1996 and 2016, in addition to 160 episodes of Days of Our Lives. In 2016, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Cassadine.
Christopher was married to Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004 and later wed Brienne Pedigo, an auto racing reporter. The couple shared two children from their marriage, which ended in divorce in 2021.