General Hospital star Tyler Christopher dies following a 'cardiac event' at 50

Actor Tyler Christopher, renowned for his Emmy-winning role on General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 50. His former General Hospital co-star, Maurice Benard, confirmed the tragic news on his Instagram handle. He shared that Tyler Christopher had succumbed to a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment.

Maurice Benard shares a statement

Maurice Benard, his former co-star and friend, described Tyler Christopher as a "truly talented individual" who shone bright on the screen with every scene he graced. He brought joy to his loyal fans through his acting, leaving a lasting impact on those who had the privilege of knowing him personally.

He wrote on his social media handle, "It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher. Tyler passed away this morning following a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment. 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. Tyler was a sweet soul and wonderful friend to all of those who knew him. Tyler was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who openly spoke about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and pray for his children and his father."

Condolences pour in from the General Hospital family

Frank Valentini, the Executive Producer of General Hospital, expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of Tyler Christopher. He told PEOPLE in a statement: “I am heartbroken over the news of Tyler Christopher’s passing. He was kind, an incredible actor, and dear friend, who was beloved by our GH family and fans of Nikolas Cassadine."

Valentini further added, "On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, our heartfelt sympathies go out to his loved ones during this difficult time.”

Tyler's talent on the screen

Tyler Christopher was well-known for his portrayal of Nikolas Cassadine on the iconic medical soap opera General Hospital. Christopher's presence on the show from 1996 to 2016 left an indelible mark on fans worldwide. He was also a part of the show Days of Our Lives, where he took on the role of Stefan DiMera from 2018 to 2019, earning his second Daytime Emmy and fifth career nomination.