Chris Gauthier, 'Once Upon a Time' and 'Eureka' Actor, Dead at 48

Chris Gauthier, an actor known for his roles in Once Upon a Time and Eureka, died suddenly on Friday, Feb. 23. He was 48. 

A representative for the Canadian star confirmed the news to TVLine, with his manager adding that Gauthier "passed suddenly and unexpectedly following a short illness." 

"We can confirm that our dear friend and client, Chris Gauthier, passed away on Friday morning, Feb. 23, at the age of 48," read a statement from TriStar Appearances/Event Horizon Talent to the outlet. "As a beloved Vancouver-based character actor, Chris shared his talents with so many of us both on television and in film. His loss is felt not just by his fans but by those of us who were lucky enough to know him more personally.  On behalf of his family, we do ask for privacy during this time so that they are able to grieve properly."

Gauthier played William Smee in Once Upon a Time and Vincent in Eureka. His numerous TV credits also included parts in When Calls the Heart, Smallville, Psych, A Series of Unfortunate Events, D.C.'s Legends of Tomorrow, and the Charmed reboot. His most recent credit was the 2023 Hallmark holiday TV movie, Ms. Christmas Comes to Town. 

He appeared in several Hallmark movies throughout his career, as well as big screen films Watchmen and 40 Days and 40 Nights, among others. 

TriStar Appearances' Chad Colvin spoke out about Gauthier's death in a post on Facebook. 

"This still doesn't feel real. How can it? A world without you in it is a much darker place. So much so that when his wife reached out to me yesterday with the news, I wept tears of disbelief for hours. It's taken me til now to fully mentally and emotionally steel myself to write this," he wrote on Sunday. 

"Chris was the literal textbook definition of a character actor. You may not have known his name but you knew his face, you knew his voice, and you knew that if he was onscreen, you were in for a helluva ride. Whether he was standing toe-to-toe against Clark Kent on Smallville as the Toyman, tormenting Dean on Supernatural, on deck with Hook as Smee in Once Upon A Time or in guest roles in the numerous productions he was in, he ALWAYS gave it his all when the camera was rolling," Colvin continued. "Brother...I am going to miss you so much more than you'll ever imagine. I wish we could have had a bit more time together and that you understood the difference you made, not just in my life, but all those you touched. This world is a bit smaller and colder now without you in it."

Colin O'Donoghue, who played the Captain Hook to Gauthier's Smee on Once Upon a Time, also paid tribute to his late co-star. 

"Rest in Peace Chris! Heartbroken!," he wrote, sharing a photo of the two in costume. "My love and thoughts go out to Erin and the boys! You will be missed brother! You were the real captain!!"

According to Variety, Gauthier is survived by his wife and children. 

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