An actor tragically passed away after experiencing a medical emergency while performing onstage at the Citadel Theater in Edmonton, Canada on November 24. Julien Arnold, 60, was playing the roles of Marley, Mr. Fezziwig and Banjo in a production of A Christmas Carol when the incident occurred.
Emergency responders arrived at the venue around 8.28pm, but despite their best efforts, Arnold sadly died at the scene. The cause of death is yet to be disclosed.
Following the tragic event, the theatre released a heartfelt statement: “It is with heavy hearts we share the news of the sudden passing of Julien Arnold, a beloved actor and dear friend of the Citadel Theatre.”
Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
They described him as a “cherished member of the Edmonton theatre community” whose “presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role”. The statement also revealed that this season’s run of A Christmas Carol would be dedicated to his memory, reports the Mirror.
The theatre asked for respect for his family’s privacy during this difficult time, adding that “your love, support, and well wishes are deeply appreciated.”
Julien’s wife, Sheiny Satanove, who is the managing director of The Punctuate Theatre, along with the company, paid homage to the beloved actor. They released a statement saying: “Julien was a cherished member of the Edmonton theatre community whose warmth, talent, and generosity touched so many lives he left us ‘as he lived – immersed in his passion for theatre.”
After Julien’s passing, a GoFundMe campaign was set up to aid his spouse.
The fundraiser has already amassed over $55,000 Canadian dollars (£31,000), surpassing its initial goal of $75,000 Canadian dollars (£42,000). The organiser has declared that the funds will assist the actor’s wife with “costs related to his passing, including funeral costs, rent, groceries, and time off work to grieve.”
Additional details about a memorial service will be provided in due course.
Julien, an alumnus of the University of Alberta, where he obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1989 and later a Master of Fine Arts in directing in 2006, was also a co-founder of Free Will Players.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.