The actor’s representatives recently confirmed his passing, sharing the heartbreaking news on social media. They announced that he had “gone to heaven.” Chris Gauthier, a well-known character actor, had earned fame for his roles on the Sci-Fi Channel’s Eureka and ABC’s fantasy drama Once Upon a Time. After the news of his death, fans and fellow actors flooded social media with tributes, reflecting on his impactful career and the legacy he left behind.
Chris Gauthier was a prolific character actor in Hollywood, particularly celebrated for his work in science fiction films and TV series. Character actors, like Gauthier, often portray unique, eccentric, or unconventional supporting roles. According to his IMDb page, Gauthier had been involved in more than 100 films and TV shows over his career.
Born on January 27, 1976, in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, Gauthier grew up in Canada, where he eventually became a Canadian citizen. He lived in Vancouver and had been active in the acting world since 1999. His breakthrough role came in 2006 when he was cast as Vincent in the science fiction show Eureka, which aired from 2006 to 2012. He also gained attention for his role as Malcolm Ross in the 2009 horror mystery series Harper’s Island.
In addition to these roles, Gauthier portrayed William Smee in Once Upon a Time, a fantasy adventure series, and Winslow “Toyman” Scott, a LuthorCorp technician, in the popular show Smallville. Sadly, his manager confirmed to TVLine that Chris Gauthier passed away suddenly and unexpectedly after a brief illness. As of now, the specific cause of death remains unknown.
In a statement, his representatives shared, “Chris was a beloved character actor from Vancouver who shared his talent with so many of us on television and in movies. His fans, as well as those who had the pleasure of knowing him personally, will deeply feel his loss.” They also requested privacy on behalf of his family, allowing them time to grieve.
Tributes poured in after news of his death was made public. Once Upon a Time co-star Colin O’Donoghue, who played Captain Hook, expressed his sorrow on Instagram. “Rest in peace, Chris. Heartbroken!” he wrote. “Erin and the boys are in my thoughts. You were the real captain, brother, and we will miss you!” Adam Horowitz, the showrunner of Once Upon a Time, also tweeted, “I’m deeply saddened to hear of Chris Gauthier’s passing. He was such a kind, sweet, and talented person. I will miss him.”
Chris Gorham, who worked with Gauthier on Harper’s Island, shared his thoughts on X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Another good man gone too soon. I’m grateful for the chance to have worked with Chris. My love goes out to his family and friends. Rest in peace, buddy.”
Throughout his career, Gauthier appeared in numerous Hollywood films. His first movie role was in the 2002 romantic comedy 40 Days and 40 Nights. He also had roles in horror films like Freddy vs. Jason, Riding the Bullet, and The Butterfly Effect 2. He starred in comedies like The Foursome and The Sandlot: Heading Home. In 2010, he played a lead role in the horror film The Traveler, alongside Val Kilmer.
Known for his proficiency in the science fiction genre, Gauthier had roles in Stargate: The Ark of Truth and Space Buddies. He also appeared as Seymour in the superhero film Watchmen and starred in TV movies like Iron Invader and The Christmas House.
In his personal life, Chris Gauthier is survived by his wife Erin and their two sons, Ben and Sebastian. Though the family remained relatively private, Gauthier would occasionally share family moments on social media, including a recent post of him and Erin at a Vancouver Canucks hockey game. His untimely passing leaves a profound void in the hearts of his loved ones and the entertainment industry alike.
