Scott Clifton’s Emotional Tribute to Tyler Christopher
It’s been a few days since the soap community was rocked by the devastating news that Tyler Christopher had sadly passed away on Oct. 31. And those who worked with the Daytime Emmy winner continue to share their memories of the talented actor who brought to life GENERAL HOSPITAL’s Nikolas and DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ Stefan. One moving post came from Scott Clifton, who was part of the Port Charles teen scene with Christopher back when he played Dillon Quartermaine from 2003-’07.
“I don’t know how or when the reality of this is going to hit me, but while I’m still numb let me say a few things about Tyler as an actor and as a man,” Clifton began his lengthy Instagram post, explaining how performing in the medium of soap operas can make an actor feel “stuck” creatively. “But not Tyler. Not for a second, ever.”
Watching Christopher perform was mesmerizing, according to Clifton (who went on to play ONE LIFE TO LIVE’s Schuyler before joining THE BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL as Liam). “I loved watching him work. I wish I could be on set with him one last time,” Clifton wrote. “Every moment he was on camera was organic, and surprising, and dangerous. If the camera got caught on a cable and the scene had to be done again, he’d give a different performance than before, even when the first was brilliant.”
Clifton shared that “tragically,” Christopher’s fans only knew him from his soap roles. “I loved going to see whatever small play he was doing in the local blackbox theater, because I never knew what I was in for,” he recalled. “He created characters that were wholly unique in their physicality, speech, and tone. I’d find myself wanting to mimic his performance in the days and weeks hence.”
Christopher’s favorite actor was the iconic Marlon Brando; he’d even named his dog after his hero. “But permit me this heresy: he was better than Brando,” Clifton mused. “He was better than most of us. And in the last few days, I’ve begun to think a lot about what the name ‘Christopher’ means to me.”
“Thank you, Tyler,” Clifton concluded. “You earned your rest.”
