Veteran and beloved theater artist Julien Arnold has died after suffering a medical emergency while performing onstage at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre.
The 60-year-old Canadian stage actor played the roles of Marley, Mr. Fezziwig and Banjo during a production of A Christmas Carol when the emergency occurred on November 24.
Paramedics arrived at around 8.28pm and despite multiple resuscitation attempts, Arnold died in theatre.
The cause of his death has not yet been made public by officials.
Shortly afterwards, the theater released a lengthy tribute to him, noting that he was “a gifted artist” and that he was much loved by the community.
“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the sudden passing of Julien Arnold, a beloved actor and dear friend of the Citadel Theater.
“A beloved member of the Edmonton theater community, Julien was a gifted performer whose charisma and talent graced our stage in countless productions, including A Christmas Carol.
“Julien’s passing is a profound loss to his family, friends, fellow Carol company members, Citadel staff and the Edmonton community he loved so dearly.
Veteran and beloved theater artist Julien Arnold died of a medical emergency while performing onstage at Edmonton’s Citadel Theater
“His presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions – and big hugs – will be greatly missed.
“In his honor, this season’s series A Christmas Carol is dedicated to his memory. We kindly ask for respect for the privacy of his family during this difficult time. Your love, support and good wishes are greatly appreciated.”
The Punctuate Theatre, where the late actor’s wife Sheiny Satanove is director, also paid tribute.
“Julien was a beloved member of the Edmonton theater community whose warmth, talent and generosity touched so many lives that he left us “as he lived – immersed in his passion for theatre,” the statement said. read.
The prolific actor grew up in Edmonton and graduated from the University of Alberta in 1989 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts. In 2006, he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from the school in directing.
Arnold was also a founding member of Free Will Players, the company that produces the Freewill Shakespeare Festival in Edmonton.
David Horak, artistic director of the festival, noted that Arnold had been a fixture in the Edmonton theater community for years.
“He just had the ability to create characters that had the biggest hearts in the world, and that’s who he was, as a person,” he said CBC.
The 60-year-old Canadian stage actor played the roles of Marley, Mr. Fezziwig and Banjo during a production of A Christmas Carol when the emergency occurred on November 24.
Arnold pictured here with his wife Sheiny Satanove on their wedding day
Horak also said that Arnold had the gift of making complex and difficult texts conversational.
“There is no one, no one like him,” he said.
In light of his death, the Citadel Theater announced that it would change the remaining dates of the play so that cast and crew members could mourn Arnold.
The theater has also launched a GoFundMe page to support his recently widowed wife.
From now on crowdfunding page $55,350 Canadian dollars of the $75,000 goal.