(Schuyler was involved in the original series. Born in Ontario to alcoholic parents, Hope took up acting at a young age, first as Griff on The Kids of Degrassi Street and then as Wheels on Degrassi Junior High. We miss you soo much !!! But finally, this January, police confirmed that it was indeed Hope who had died of “natural causes” in November 2007. by News Staff. Hope was 35 when he died. “We’re all pretty shocked about the news. But two years went by and no one had heard from him. He was an actor, known for Degrassi High (1987), Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) and The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979). presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution He was always friendly with the cast behind the scenes, Woods recalled. He was in a relationship with Christina Boulard from 1998-2001. That shocking revelation was made known to friends and family only this January — and became public Thursday. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Everybody wants something they’ll never give up, Everybody wants something, they’ll take your money and never give up. Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. He was engaged to Christina Boulard from 1998 to 2001. Boulard said the former star of Canada's groundbreaking "Degrassi" series died on Nov. 25, 2007, of "natural causes" at the age of 35 but declined to elaborate, only saying Hope was diabetic. A Facebook group called "Let's Bring The Real Neil Hope ("Wheels" from Degrassi) To Facebook" features a post from Jan. 12 of this year written by Hope's sister-in-law, Tracy Northrup Hope, saying that Hope died of natural causes on Nov. 25, 2007. When they hadn’t heard from Hope, they called her. With files from the Canadian Press Download. Boulard says that the star of the groundbreaking television series died from natural causes at the age of 35 but declined to elaborate, only saying Hope suffered from diabetes. To the public, the Toronto actor’s role as Derek Wheeler on the hit Degrassi TV series thrust him into the realm of celebrity, but in real life he died anonymously. TORONTO - Former child star Neil Hope, who played Derek (Wheels) Wheeler on the long-running youth series "Degrassi," died alone in a Hamilton rooming house in 2007, said former fiancee Christina Boulard on Thursday, as details of the troubled actor's final years emerged. His legacy showed on social media sites Thursday, as fans expressed shock at the sudden news of Hope’s death. Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope's family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died. US. All Four years after the date of his death, it was revealed that he had died from a heart attack from not taking diabetes insulin on time, in November 2007 at the age of 35. No answers forthcoming in case of 'Degrassi' star Neil Hope's unreported death. Associated With. TORONTO -- Actor Neil Hope, who starred as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on the popular 1980s TV series "Degrassi Junior High" and had little contact with relatives and friends in his “Neil had a hard life.”. Boulard said the former star of Canada's groundbreaking "Degrassi" series died on Nov. 25, 2007, of "natural causes" at the age of 35 but declined to elaborate, only saying Hope was diabetic. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. Boulard said Hope’s brother Danny and his wife, Tracy, began hearing rumours of his death two or three years ago but they brushed it off. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto She and Hope dated between 1998 and 2001 and were engaged until the relationship ended amicably. by News Staff. Click here to subscribe. ... Christina Boulard… Movies. ... Degrassi was praised for its handling of tough social issues including teen pregnancy, sexual abuse and alcoholism. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Neil Hope had dealt with the death of parents on Degrassi and in his personal life. The location of the grave is being kept private, Boulard said. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. Christina Boulard, the actor's fiancée, released a statement on Thursday saying, "The family regrets to announce that Neil passed away in Hamilton, Ontario on November 25, 2007 of natural causes. "It did catch us completely unaware," says Stephanie Cohen, vice-president of marketing at communications at Epitome Pictures. News that Neil Hope, an actor from the acclaimed Canadian television show Degrassi Junior High, had died five years ago but whose death was only publicly confirmed on Thursday stunned even the producers of the show. Hope, who starred on Degrassi Junior High in the 1980s, was found dead in an Ontario rooming house in November 2007 but his family was just informed last month Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope’s family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. Many former actors, who were mobbed in malls for their Degrassi fame, went on to successful careers, including Aubrey Graham, better known now as award-winning recording artist Drake. Hope's ex-fiancee, Christina Boulard, said the family was told the former child actor died alone in a Hamilton rooming house of natural causes. “I’ve gotta work,” she said he told her. Boulard said she lost touch with Hope in 2002, but remained in contact with his family through Facebook. to colleagues, clients or customers, or inquire about “I was shocked,” said Boulard, fighting back tears as she talked to the Star. Finally they contacted the police in Hamilton. Boulard said the former star of Canada's groundbreaking Degrassi series died on 25 November 2007 of "natural causes" at the age of 35 but declined to … In his quiet off-screen life, Hope romanced Boulard. Mystery surrounds the death of a star of popular high-school drama Degrassi, that went undiscovered for five years. Neil Hope, Actor: Degrassi Junior High. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. He would eventually go on to discuss his parents' alcoholism in a series called Degrassi Talks, in 1992. Hope's ex-fiancee, Christina Boulard, said the family was told the former child actor died alone in a Hamilton rooming house of natural causes. His television career began on the series The Kids of Degrassi Street. “Neil was a very private person. We aim to have all comments reviewed in a timely manner. TORONTO -- Actor Neil Hope, who starred as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on the popular 1980s TV series "Degrassi Junior High" and had little contact with relatives and friends in his HIS name was Neil Hope, but you might have known him as Wheels. Boulard said the police told Hope’s family they had a record of someone who had died but the names and birth date didn’t match up. For an audience of teens, Hope represented an awkwardness and personal strife many could relate to. Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope’s family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died. [1] She remembers one dinner in particular, where the entire kitchen staff came out to ask for Hope’s autograph. Fans of actor Neil Hope, who played troubled teen Wheels on "Degrassi Junior High," are still wondering just how his death at age 35 could have gone unreported for years.   "His life was not an easy one but the time he spent with us was a shining example of determination, hard work and hopeful optimism and he is sorely missed," Stohn and Schuyler said Thursday in a joint statement. Neil Hope was born on September 24, 1972 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Boulard said she is organizing a private ceremony, with help from Amanda Stepto, who played Christine “Spike” Nelson on Degrassi, for friends to remember Hope. Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope's family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died. Boulard met Hope when they were both working at a Money Mart in Hamilton. That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately it is being reviewed by our moderation team and may appear shortly. “He was the one that stayed as far away from the public eye afterwards as possible,” Boulard said. He received no residuals Boulard, who last saw Hope in 2002, said it was not unusual for him to cut ties with friends and family for sometimes a year at a time. ... Degrassi was praised for its handling of tough social issues including teen pregnancy, sexual abuse and alcoholism. Hope was buried in March 2008. Boulard said she's furious because she can't understand why it took more than four years for police to contact Hope's family. Hope’s character is all smiles in the passenger seat. He discussed his parents' alcoholism in a series called Degrassi Talks, in 1992, and also made a documentary about children of alcoholic parents, called The Darker Side. “This awkward, shy, grinning, bespectacled kid was very endearing.”. In a way, they became his family and the set his home. Many former actors, who were mobbed in malls for their Degrassi fame, went on to successful careers, including Aubrey Graham, better known now as award-winning recording artist Drake. The Degrassi Junior High star Neil Hope, who played Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on the popular 1980s TV series, died in near-anonymity over four years ago, his family has confirmed after lengthy attempts to track him down. From its original iteration as The Kids of Degrassi Street in 1979 to the still-running Degrassi: The Next Generation, the series is one of Canada’s prime television success stories. Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope’s family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died. Hope would make guest appearances on Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001 and 2003, but parts became scarce for the struggling actor. Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. Christina Boulard, his fiance, posted on another Facebook group that a memorial service is planned for the actor. Fans of the iconic Degrassi series are mourning the loss of Neil Hope, also known as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler, as news broke on Thursday that the former teen star has been dead for five years. Scoop a new vibe in the numbers and do today’s Daily Soduku. But Boulard said he always talked about becoming a director, but never reached out to Degrassi’s producers or former castmates. Kick back with the Daily Universal Crossword. 351 King Street East, Suite 1600, Toronto, ON Canada, M5A 0N1, Just $1.99 per week for the first 24 weeks, var select={root:".js-sub-pencil",control:".js-sub-pencil-control",open:"o-sub-pencil--open",closed:"o-sub-pencil--closed"},dom={},allowExpand=!0;function pencilInit(o){var e=arguments.length>1&&void 0!==arguments[1]&&arguments[1];select.root=o,dom.root=document.querySelector(select.root),dom.root&&(dom.control=document.querySelector(select.control),dom.control.addEventListener("click",onToggleClicked),setPanelState(e),window.addEventListener("scroll",onWindowScroll),dom.root.removeAttribute("hidden"))}function isPanelOpen(){return dom.root.classList.contains(select.open)}function setPanelState(o){dom.root.classList[o?"add":"remove"](select.open),dom.root.classList[o? His last moment on camera shows the three singing a Zit Remedy classic in the car after reuniting at a bowling alley. ), “His life was not an easy one, but the time he spent with us was a shining example of determination, hard work and hopeful optimism and he is sorely missed.”. While she was annoyed at the intrusion, Hope took it all in stride. IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . Boulard, who last saw Hope in 2002, said it was not unusual for him to … © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. Fans of the iconic Degrassi series are mourning the loss of Neil Hope, also known as Derek "Wheels" Wheeler, as news broke on Thursday that the former teen star has been dead for five years. We hope to have this fixed soon. “He loved being known as ‘Wheels.’ ”. (The coroner’s office was not immediately available to confirm the details.). But Hope met a very different end in that Hamilton rooming house, where local police found him dead, according to former fiancée Christina Boulard, 37. ... Christina Boulard, told The Canadian Press. Boulard said she is organizing a private ceremony, with help from Amanda Stepto, who played Christine “Spike” Nelson on Degrassi, for friends to remember Hope. Boulard said the former star of Canada's groundbreaking "Degrassi" series died on Nov. 25, 2007, of "natural causes" at the age of 35 but declined to elaborate, only saying Hope was diabetic. “He was smiling and joking with them and he signed everything,” she said. Dan Woods, who played Mr. Raditch, a teacher and later principal on the show, remembered meeting Hope when he was a teen on the set of Degrassi Junior High. Menu. “I was devastated (by his death). Hope, who starred on Degrassi Junior High in the 1980s, was found dead in an Ontario rooming house in November 2007 but his family was just informed last month. Both he and Pat Mastroianni appeared on Degrassi … Former Degrassi castmates began sharing the news of Hope’s death a couple of weeks ago, Woods said. “He was a quiet guy when we were off set, but full of energy, very bright-eyed,” Woods told the Star from California. permissions/licensing, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com. Compounding the mystery, Cohen said she also does not know why the Hope family has now publicly announced the actor's death. As his character was being eased out of the show in 1991 — “Wheels” pleads guilty to a drunk-driving death late in the series — Hope faded into the background too. Cohen said she did not know what that "confusion" might refer to. Christina Boulard, the actor's fiancée, released a statement on Thursday saying, "The family regrets to announce that Neil passed away in Hamilton, Ontario on November 25, 2007 of natural causes. !xoxox.”, Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. Ex-fiance Christina Boulard said Hope's family spent years trying to track him down after hearing rumors of his passing several years ago, but only learned last month from police in Hamilton, Ontario, that he had died.

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