While his acting talent was paramount, Chris Gauthier is being remembered most for his humour and heart.
Chris Gauthier was born in Luton, Bedfordshire, England, and moved to Armstrong with his family when he was five.
At just 48 years old, Gauthier died suddenly last Friday, Feb. 23.
Raised in the small North Okanagan town, Gauthier attended Pleasant Valley Secondary School and soaked up acting skills from Asparagus Community Theatre.
Armstrong is also where he met the love of his life and later wife.
While she and their two sons are his biggest credits, Gauthier has a long list of movie and TV appearances including 40 Days and 40 Nights, Insomnia, Agent Cody Banks, Freddy vs. Jason, Riding the Bullet, The Foursome and Watchmen.
Gauthier is notably recalled for his role in Eureka, Smallville, Harper’s Island, Once Upon a Time and Joe Pickett.
Trent Redekop met Gauthier on a set of A Series of Unfortunate Events in 2016, and the two quickly became best friends.
“Chris has touched so many lives with his light, whether you’ve had a meal with his family, sang karaoke with him, screamed for a local sports team or had the pleasure of acting with him, we have all been blessed to have had him in our lives,” said Redekop.
He has created a GoFundMe account to help with funeral costs and continued education for sons Sebastian and Benny. To donate, visit https://gofund.me/0b9ca23b.
Retired teacher George Young remembers teaching Gauthier and his siblings and working with the young talent at Asparagus Theatre.
“He was just full of fun and willing to try anything, he took on quite a challenging role in the play him and I did together,” said Young, who taught for 20 years.
“Theatre was certainly something he was really into. Big time.”
Gauthier’s mom Deb was also very involved behind the scenes with the theatre.
Young took the stage alongside Gauthier in Goodnight Disgrace, where the future star played one of the lead actors, Malcolm Lowry.
“He won a best supporting actor award at Mainstage Theatre BC, the provincial organization for community theatres,” said Young. “Which is quite an honour because there’s productions coming from all over B.C.”
Young recalls the adjudicator, Andrew McElroy, was instrumental in getting Gauthier into the scene in Vancouver.
Vernon’s Antony Stamboulieh also helped Gauthier.
“Tony realized the talent that was there,” said Young, whose youngest daughter studied with Gauthier under Stamboulieh. “Tony, I think, was instrumental in him getting an agent in Vancouver.”
Former Armstrong schoolmate Heather Black remembers Gauthier for more than just his talent.
“He was very well liked and not just because of his fame,” said Black, who was a grade younger than Gauthier.
“His group of close friends included many from Armstrong who now live in Vancouver, they’re all still tight.”
His circle of friends only grew with the people he met.
“Our Eureka family lost one of our own this week,” Jordan Danger posted on social media. “Chris Gauthier was the kindest, coolest guy you ever met. He was a true talent, a real actor.
“If you knew Chris, you loved Chris. We’ll miss you so much buddy.”
Tributes have also poured in for Gauthier on his personal Facebook page.
“When Chris came to set, he made that world a little brighter,” said Lindsay Bucknell. “His sense of humour was infectious. Vancouver sets just lost an amazing human being.
“Enjoy your new journey Chris.
“We’ll miss you.”
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