Tyler Christopher dead at 50: Ex-husband of Eva Longoria and actor who appeared on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives passes away following ‘a cardiac event in his San Diego apartment’

General Hospital star Tyler Christopher has died at the age of 50, according to his co-star.

The show’s Maurice Benard said on Instagram on Tuesday: ‘It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of Tyler Christopher. Tyler passed away this morning after suffering a heart attack in his San Diego apartment.

Christopher was married to Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004.

“Tyler was a truly talented individual who lit up the screen in every scene he played and enjoyed bringing joy to his loyal fans through his acting,” Benard said on the social media site. “Tyler was a kind soul and a wonderful friend to all who knew him.”

Benard said his late colleague “was an advocate for better mental health and substance use treatment who spoke openly about his struggles with bipolar depression and alcohol. We are beyond devastated by the loss of our dear friend and are praying for his children and his father.”

The latest: General Hospital star Tyler Christopher has died at the age of 50, according to his co-star.  Pictured in 2018 in LA

The latest: General Hospital star Tyler Christopher has died at the age of 50, according to his co-star. Pictured in 2018 in LA

Christopher and ex-wife Eva Longoria were pictured at the 29th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in New York in May 2022

Christopher and ex-wife Eva Longoria were pictured at the 29th annual Daytime Emmy Awards in New York in May 2022

The actor played the role of Nikolas Cassadine in 1,153 episodes of General Hospital from 1996 to 2016.

In the years that followed, he portrayed Stefan DiMera in 159 episodes of another tough soap opera in Days of Our Lives, from 2018 to 2019.

In his personal life, Christopher was married twice: to Desperate Housewives alum Eva Longoria from 2002 to 2004, and to one-time ESPN personality Brienne Pedigo from 2008 to 2021.

He and Pedigo welcomed two children: Greysun James Christopher and Boheme Christopher.

The show's Maurice Benard announced the tragic news on Instagram on Tuesday

The show’s Maurice Benard announced the tragic news on Instagram on Tuesday