Readers can also interact with The Globe on Facebook and Twitter . Boulard is planning a private memorial in June for Hope's old Degrassi colleagues and close friends in order to pay tribute to their fallen fellow actor and friend. “Neil Hope,” “RIP Wheels” and “Zit Remedy” (the fictional band of which Hope’s character was a member) were all trending on Twitter in Canada Thursday. Thank you for your patience. To former castmates, producers, friends and relatives of the Degrassi celebrity, he was just Neil, quiet and bright-eyed. Avoid the use of toxic and offensive language. He died on November 25, 2007 in Hamilton, Ontario. In a way, they became his family and the set his home. Hope's fiancée, Christina Boulard, also released the following statement: "The family regrets to announce that Neil passed away in Hamilton, Ontario on November 25, 2007 of natural causes. No answers forthcoming in case of 'Degrassi' star Neil Hope's unreported death. 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. His last moment on camera shows the three singing a Zit Remedy classic in the car after reuniting at a bowling alley. Christina Boulard (1998–2001) Philip Neil Hope [2] (September 24, 1972 – November 25, 2007), known as Neil Hope , was a Canadian actor best known for playing Derek "Wheels" Wheeler on Degrassi Junior High and Degrassi High in the 1980s and early 1990s. 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 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. But finally, this January, police confirmed that it was indeed Hope who had died of “natural causes” in November 2007. 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. “You can’t underestimate the phenomenon and how people believed in Wheels,” said former Star journalist Catherine Dunphy, who wrote two Degrassi books and conducted a Degrassi Talks interview with Hope. 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. Republication or distribution of this content is 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, even to his family and friends. “He was the one that stayed as far away from the public eye afterwards as possible,” Boulard said. But two years went by and no one had heard from him. Boulard said she's furious because she can't understand why it took more than four years for police to contact Hope's family. He would eventually go on to discuss his parents' alcoholism in a series called Degrassi Talks, in 1992. He moved on to blue-collar jobs, including one at United Furniture Warehouse. “That’s why he latched on to his Degrassi family so hard … They were his brothers and sisters.”. 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. 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. On the Degrassi series, he was a member of the fictional band Zit Remedy. 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? Comments that violate our community guidelines will not be posted. “He was smiling and joking with them and he signed everything,” she said. Both he and Pat Mastroianni appeared on Degrassi … 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. “Neil made an important contribution to our lives, to the lives of our television team, who are like a family to us, and indeed to the live of many Canadians and others around the world who were influenced by Neil and the roles he played,” said statement from executive producers Linda Schuyler and Stephen Stohn. Neil Hope had dealt with the death of parents on Degrassi and in his personal life. US. 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 … Christina Boulard, his fiance, posted on another Facebook group that a memorial service is planned for the actor. “We’re all pretty shocked about the news. The location of the grave is being kept private, Boulard said. Hope was 35 when he died. Boulard met Hope when they were both working at a Money Mart in Hamilton. “Everybody falls on hard times,” Boulard said. To order copies of “Wheels” made his last guest appearance on Degrassi in 2003 with former castmates Pat Mastroianni and Stefan Brogren, who play Joey Jeremiah and Archibald “Snake” Simpson — the original Degrassi trio who formed the fictional rock band the Zit Remedy. [1] Compounding the mystery, Cohen said she also does not know why the Hope family has now publicly announced the actor's death. 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. 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. 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. "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. 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. “That’s when we started to worry,” she said. When they hadn’t heard from Hope, they called her. 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. Hope would make guest appearances on Degrassi: The Next Generation in 2001 and 2003, but parts became scarce for the struggling actor. 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 … 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. Finally they contacted the police in Hamilton. “This awkward, shy, grinning, bespectacled kid was very endearing.”. We hope to have this fixed soon. Neil was a great guy and a great light,” he said. ... Christina Boulard… 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. Read our, I'm a print subscriber, link to my account, Read more about following topics and authors. With files from the Canadian Press Download. 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. © Copyright 2021 The Globe and Mail Inc. All rights reserved. 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. ... fiancée, Christina Boulard. “He was a quiet guy when we were off set, but full of energy, very bright-eyed,” Woods told the Star from California. (The coroner’s office was not immediately available to confirm the details.). He was an actor, known for Degrassi High (1987), Degrassi: The Next Generation (2001) and The Kids of Degrassi Street (1979). 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. Breaking news - Degrassi Junior High star Neil Hope, aka Wheels, died in 2007. To order She and Hope dated between 1998 and 2001 and were engaged until the relationship ended amicably. With files from the Canadian Press Download. This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. His legacy showed on social media sites Thursday, as fans expressed shock at the sudden news of Hope’s death. Neil Hope had dealt with the death of parents on Degrassi and in his personal life. IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. 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. expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Toronto 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. "It did catch us completely unaware," says Stephanie Cohen, vice-president of marketing at communications at Epitome Pictures. “He didn’t know any other life,” she said. Boulard said she lost touch with Hope in 2002, but remained in contact with his family through Facebook. 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. An actor who once starred on popular Canadian school melodrama Degrassi Junior High has finally been ... Canada, rooming house in 2007, claims his ex-fiance Christina Boulard. 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. 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. “Neil had a hard life.”. Neil Hope, Actor: Degrassi Junior High. Posted Feb 17, 2012 2:16 pm EDT. Follow topics and authors relevant to your reading interests. Hope, who wore large glasses and had a blond curly mullet on Degrassi, played a troubled teen and in real life, Ms Boulard said he was plagued by his own problems. 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. Release Calendar DVD & Blu-ray Releases Top Rated Movies Most Popular Movies Browse Movies by Genre Top Box Office Showtimes & Tickets Showtimes & Tickets In Theaters Coming Soon Coming Soon Movie News India Movie Spotlight. Welcome to The Globe and Mail’s comment community. Nor does she know the specifics of the cause of Hope's death. If you would like to write a letter to the editor, please forward it to letters@globeandmail.com. 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. Toronto Star articles, please go to: www.TorontoStarReprints.com, The Toronto Star and thestar.com, each property of Toronto Star Movies. 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 developed a cult following, was picked up in the U.S. and is now watched the world over. She remembers one dinner in particular, where the entire kitchen staff came out to ask for Hope’s autograph. All presentation-ready copies of Toronto Star content for distribution !xoxox.”, Copyright owned or licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited. We aim to create a safe and valuable space for discussion and debate. 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. Mr. Hope starred as a troubled teenager in the popular Canadian shows “Degrassi Junior High” and “Degrassi High” in the 1980s. That means: If you do not see your comment posted immediately it is being reviewed by our moderation team and may appear shortly. by News Staff. "We have respected the privacy of the family by not saying anything until now, but our entire team is very emotional about his passing," he wrote. The star’s struggles with his parents’ alcoholism — his father eventually died of cirrhosis of the liver — were well documented in interviews. 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. 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 I still am.”, Little is known about how the intensely private Hope came to a sudden end, alone and unnoticed. For an audience of teens, Hope represented an awkwardness and personal strife many could relate to. But Boulard said he always talked about becoming a director, but never reached out to Degrassi’s producers or former castmates. Police have confirmed to the Star that Hope was found dead on Nov. 25, 2007 in a Hamilton rooming house. His television career began on the series The Kids of Degrassi Street. 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. 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. ... his ex-fiance Christina Boulard said on Friday.   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. 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. For millions, Neil Hope was “Wheels” — the lovable, troubled onscreen teen with that feathered blond hair and huge glasses. 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. 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. If you are looking to give feedback on our new site, please send it along to, To view this site properly, enable cookies in your browser. Schuyler, the early Degrassi producer, became like a second mother to him on the set, many said. “I’ve gotta work,” she said he told her. ... Christina Boulard, told The Canadian Press. Menu. Trivia. 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. Some information in it may no longer be current. We miss you soo much !!! Hope was buried in March 2008. This article was published more than 8 years ago. ), “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.”. Click here to subscribe. “He loved being known as ‘Wheels.’ ”. Hope’s character is all smiles in the passenger seat. IMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content. 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 Cohen said she did not know what that "confusion" might refer to. rights reserved. This copy is for your personal non-commercial use only. Now we all can be at peace. Non-subscribers can read and sort comments but will not be able to engage with them in any way. “I’ve gotta make a living.”. Mystery surrounds the death of a star of popular high-school drama Degrassi, that went undiscovered for five years. 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. 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. Give your brain a workout and do today’s Daily Cryptic Crossword. 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. 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. 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. 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. He received no residuals Calling all HuffPost superfans! This is a space where subscribers can engage with each other and Globe staff. Family Life. 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. Boulard said the former star of Canada’s groundbreaking “Degrassi’’ series died Nov. 25, 2007, of natural causes at 35 but declined to elaborate, saying only that Mr. Hope was diabetic. He was engaged to Christina Boulard from 1998 to 2001. While she was annoyed at the intrusion, Hope took it all in stride. Newspapers Limited, One Yonge Street, 4th floor, Toronto, ON, M5E 1E6. Star Newspapers Limited and/or its licensors. No answers forthcoming in case of 'Degrassi' star Neil Hope's unreported death. In his quiet off-screen life, Hope romanced Boulard. 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. She said the family clung to that, hoping it wasn’t him. by News Staff. Stohn, who is currently outside the country on vacation, released a statement via Twitter on Thursday. Former Degrassi castmates began sharing the news of Hope’s death a couple of weeks ago, Woods said. Of Hope 's family blue-collar jobs, including one at United Furniture Warehouse licensed by Toronto Star Newspapers Limited was! Weeks ago, Cohen said she 's furious because she ca n't understand why it took more than years. 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And huge glasses am. ”, Little is known about how the intensely private Hope came a. @ globeandmail.com 'Degrassi ' Star neil Hope, they called her his family and the set home! Had heard from him about how the intensely private Hope came to a sudden end, alone and.! Memorial service is planned for the actor us completely unaware, '' says Stephanie,! Had heard from Hope, they became his family and the set, many said dealt the... Welcome to the editor, please forward it to letters @ globeandmail.com to blue-collar jobs, one...