The Canadian theater community is mourning the loss of a seasoned actor, Julien Arnold, who tragically passed away of a heart attack during a holiday production at a theater in Alberta. Arnold experienced a medical crisis while performing in “A Christmas Carol” at the Citadel Theatre in Edmonton, Alberta on Sunday, November 24, 2024. Despite the immediate response of paramedics, Arnold could not be revived.
The 60-year-old actor was playing several characters in the production, including Marley and Mr. Fezziwig. The show had been booked to continue until Christmas Eve.
Arnold had a remarkable career that spanned over 30 years and was a founding member of the Free Will Players theater company. This group is responsible for Edmonton’s annual Freewill Shakespeare Festival. His body of work was vast, with roles such as the Cowardly Lion in “The Wizard of Oz,” Cogsworth in “Beauty and the Beast,” and Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
In honor of Arnold, the Citadel Theatre dedicated the remaining performances of this season’s “A Christmas Carol” to his memory. The theater expressed in a statement that Arnold’s “presence brought joy, heart and depth to every role, and his artistic contributions – and big hugs – will be deeply missed.”
The actor’s wife, Sheiny Satanove, is the managing director of Punctuate! Theatre, which released a statement to remember Arnold as “a gifted performer” who departed in the midst of his love for the theater.
The theater community has come together to support Satanove, initiating a fundraising campaign to help with the funeral expenses, rent, groceries, and time away from work. The fundraising has already surpassed 55,000 Canadian dollars, equivalent to approximately 43,000 US dollars.