Julian Arnold, a Canadian stage actor and founder of the Free Will Players Shakespeare theater company, has died.
He experienced a medical emergency while performing in A Christmas Carol at Edmonton’s Citadel Theatre on November 24. Arnold, 60, was portraying multiple roles, including Marley, Mr. Fezziwig, and Banjo, when the incident occurred.
Paramedics arrived at the theater around 8:28 p.m. and attempted several resuscitation efforts, but Arnold was later pronounced dead at the scene, Alberta Health Services spokesperson Kerry Williamson confirmed to CBC News on November 26. The cause of his medical emergency has not been disclosed.
In response to Arnold’s passing, the Citadel Theatre announced it would adjust the remaining performances of A Christmas Carol, scheduled to run until December 24, to allow the cast and crew time to mourn.
Arnold had a distinguished career in theater, performing in productions like The Taming of the Shrew, The Wizard of Oz, Twelfth Night, and Sense and Sensibility. He was also a founding member of Free Will Players, known for producing Edmonton’s annual Freewill Shakespeare Festival. Throughout his career, Arnold worked with various theater companies, including Citadel Theatre, Northern Light Theatre, and Workshop West Theatre.
Citadel Theatre’s executive director Jessie van Rijn and artistic director Daryl Cloran shared a heartfelt tribute to Arnold, highlighting his significant impact on the acting community.
“His presence brought joy, heart, and depth to every role,” they said in a statement to CBC News. “His artistic contributions—and big hugs—will be deeply missed.”
They added, “We are asking for privacy and patience as we focus on supporting family members, the A Christmas Carol company, staff, and patrons during this difficult time.”
