THE actor's management confirmed the devastating news on their social media channels, revealing that he had passed away on Friday, February 23, 2024.
Best known for his roles in the Sci-Fi channel series Eureka and the ABC fantasy drama series Once Upon a Time, tributes poured in from celebrity co-stars and fans alike, celebrating the character actor's life and legacy.
Who was Chris Gauthier and what was his cause of death?
Chris Gauthier was a Hollywood character actor, best known for his work in science fiction films and TV series.
As opposed to leading actors, character actors are known for playing unusual or eccentric supporting roles.
At the time of his death, he had over 100 acting credits listed on his IMDB.
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Gauthier was born on January 27, 1976, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England.
He was raised in Canada, holds Canadian citizenship, and was based in Vancouver.
Gauthier began acting in 1999.
He rose to fame for his portrayal of Vincent in the science fiction series Eureka, which ran from 2006 to 2012.
He also appeared in eight episodes of the 2009 horror mystery series, Harper's Island, playing Malcolm Ross.
Gauthier also portrayed William Smee in the fantasy adventure series, Once Upon a Time, and Winslow "Toyman" Scott, a LuthorCorp Technician, in Smallville.
Gauthier “passed suddenly and unexpectedly following a short illness,” his manager told TVLine.
A cause of death has not yet been revealed.
“We can confirm that our dear friend and client, Chris Gauthier, passed away on Friday morning, February 23, at the age of 48,” said a statement from TriStar Appearances/Event Horizon Talent.
“As a beloved Vancouver-based character actor, Chris shared his talents with so many of us both on television and in film.”
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“His loss is felt not just by his fans but by those of us who were lucky enough to know him more personally," they added.
"On behalf of his family, we do ask for privacy during this time so that they are able to grieve properly.”
After the news was revealed about his untimely passing, tributes from his co-stars have poured in.
Colin O'Donoghue, who portrayed Captain Killian "Hook" Jones in Once Upon a Time, shared his thoughts on his Instagram.
"Rest in Peace Chris! Heartbroken!" he captioned the post.
"My love and thoughts go out to Erin and the boys! You will be missed brother! You were the real captain!!"
"So sad to hear of the passing of Chris Gauthier," tweeted Once Upon a Time's showrunner, Adam Horowitz.
"Such a kind, sweet, and talented person. You will be missed," he added.
Christopher Gorham, who worked with Gauthier on Harper's Island, also shared his thoughts on X.
"Another good man gone too soon," he tweeted.
"Grateful to have worked with Chris and am sending love to his family and friends. Rest in peace, pal," he added.
What movies did Chris Gauthier star in?
Chris Gauthier starred in several Hollywood productions.
Though he was better known for his appearances on the silver screen, he appeared in multiple movies over his 22-year career.
His first film role was in the 2002 raunchy romantic comedy, 40 Days and 40 Nights.
Gauthier also appeared in the horror films Freddy v. Jason, Riding the Bullet, and The Butterfly Effect 2.
He also starred in The Foursome, The Sandlot: Heading Home, and the 2010 horror film The Traveler, opposite Val Kilmer.
Gauthier shined in the science fiction genre and appeared in multiple sci-fi productions, including Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Space Buddies.
He also appeared in the 2009 superhero film Watchmen, playing Seymour, an editorial assistant at the New Frontiersman.
Gauthier starred in two made-for-television movies, including the 2011 Syfy Channel science-fiction film, Iron Invader, and the 2020 Hallmark Channel Christmas movie, The Christmas House.
He also starred as Phil in the Netflix limited series, A Series of Unfortunate Events.
Gauthier most recently appeared as a recurring cast member in the Paramount+ neo-western crime drama series, Joe Pickett.
Gauthier joined the show in its second season, playing Randy Pope, the new Commissioner for the Wyoming Fish & Game Department.
He will next appear, posthumously, in the science fiction TV series The Triple Eight as The Genie, and in the horror film Chimera's Ghost as Jerry Costa.
Did Chris Gauthier have a wife and kids?
Chris Gauthier is survived by his family and friends, including his parents, siblings, and an extended family.
This includes his wife, Erin, and his two children.
They shared sons Ben and Sebastian.
It is unclear when he married Erin, as they remained largely out of the spotlight.
Gauthier did, however, share snaps of his family on social media.
He most recently posted a selfie alongside his wife, Erin, as the two attended a Vancouver Canucks hockey game.
According to Instagram, his son Sebastian was born on December 7, 2003.
His son Ben was born on August 11, 2005.
On Christmas Eve, he shared a photo of his wife and children celebrating the holiday.
"Tonight we drove around spotting Christmas lights," he captioned the post, alongside a red heart emoji and the hashtag #family.
However, his family liked to keep their personal lives close to the chest, as evidenced by their private social media accounts.
His wife, Erin, has a private account, as do his sons Ben and Sebastian.